Friday, November 8: Cal vs Wake Forest Betting Odds, Spread, and Prediction

• Cal is a 7-point road favorite over Wake Forest in Week 11 College Football action on Friday, November 8
• The Golden Bears lead the ACC in scoring defense and rank second in yards allowed
• Check out the latest Cal vs Wake Forest odds, spread and prediction below

The Friday night lights shine on the ACC in Week 11 as Cal (4-4, 0-4 ACC) visits Wake Forest (4-4, 2-2 ACC). Both programs need a couple more wins to become Bowl eligible, and the College Football odds suggest the Golden Bears will move one step closer following this matchup.

California vs Wake Forest Odds

Cal is favored by 7-points, in a contest with a total of 54.5. The spread tickets are split virtually down the middle, but there’s a big discrepancy when it comes to the handle. 77% of the spread money is on the Golden Bears as touchdown favorites per the College Football public betting trends.

That suggests sharp action is backing Cal, and if that trend continues, we could see this line cross the key number of 7.

Kickoff is set for 8 pm ET at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, in Winston-Salem, NC, with the ACC Network providing the coverage.

Odds as of November 7 at 7:30 pm ET. Be sure to check out the best Caesars Sportsbook promos before placing a bet on any Week 11 College Football matchup.

Cal is Undervalued

Neither one of these teams is a factor in the College Football Playoff odds, but it’s not far-fetched to think Cal could have been fighting for an ACC title if a few bounces had gone their way.

The Golden Bears are undefeated in non-conference play, but winless versus ACC foes. They’ve lost four times by a combined total of 9 points, giving #4 Miami and #18 Pittsburgh all they could handle.

They check in at number 36 in the SP+ rankings, a full 38 spots higher than the Demon Deacons. Cal has held six of its eight opponents to 15 points or less (including Pitt), while the lone team to exceed 24 points against them was the Hurricanes and their top-ranked offense.

The Golden Bears lead the ACC in scoring defense and yards allowed. They’re holding enemy QBs to 221 yards per outing, and opposing rushing attacks to 3.2 yards per carry. No conference team is forcing as many turnovers, while only Georgia Tech is yielding fewer first downs.

That spells trouble for Wake Forest, who have struggled mightily against good defenses. The Demon Deacons average 27 points per game, but that number craters versus quality opposition.

Wake Forest versus Top-45 SP+ Teams

They’ve faced two teams ranked inside the top-45 per SP+, and were held to 20 total points. Wake Forest was outscored by 69 points in those two outings, failing to cover by 13 and 14 points, respectively.

Wake Forest is Vulnerable on Defense

On the other side of the ball, the Demon Deacons are vulnerable. They’re allowing 31 points per game, second worst in the ACC. Clemson, Ole Miss and Louisiana-Monroe all hung 40+ points on them, exposing their horrific pass defense.

Wake Forest is surrendering a 71% completion rate, one of the worst marks nationwide. Opposing QBs are averaging north of 300 yards per outing, and are rarely exposed to pressure. The Demon Deacons have a 2.4% sack rate, which ranks 131st in the country.

That means wheels up for Cal QB Fernando Mendoza, who’s coming off a season-best performance. Mendoza threw for 364 yards and 2 TDs in a 44-7 rout of Oregon State. He completed 75% of his passes, but more importantly, he didn’t take a sack.

POV: you check the stats and realize your QB is just different.

364 yards passing ✅
15 yards recieving ✅
A Tuddy ✅ pic.twitter.com/tmSghW91Vj

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 28, 2024

The Golden Bears have struggled with protection all season, as evident by Mendoza’s 28 sacks, but they corrected some issues on the offensive line last week and now get to face Wake’s anemic pass rush.

Cal vs Wake Forest Prediction

If Mendoza has time to throw, he’ll carve this Demon Deacons defense up. The Cal QB already owns one of the top-15 completion rates in the country, and averages 8 yards per throw. He also takes care of the ball with just a 1.23% INT rate, and has passed for at least 272 yards in five straight contests.

The majority of the money is on this Cal team, and you should be as well. They grade out significantly higher than Wake Forest, and have played a much tougher schedule.

The Golden Bears have covered in five of their last seven contests, including both times as a 7+ point favorite.

• Cal -7 (-110)

On Friday, November 8, college football fans will be treated to an exciting matchup between the California Golden Bears and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, making this game a must-watch for any football enthusiast.

As of now, the betting odds for this game are fairly close, with Cal being listed as a slight favorite. The spread currently sits at -3 in favor of the Golden Bears, meaning they are expected to win by at least three points. However, with both teams having similar records and performances so far this season, this game could easily go either way.

When it comes to predicting the outcome of this game, it’s important to consider a few key factors. Cal has a strong defense that has been able to shut down some of the best offenses in the country, while Wake Forest boasts a high-powered offense that can put up points in a hurry. The key to victory for both teams will likely come down to which unit can perform better on game day.

In terms of individual players to watch, keep an eye on Cal quarterback Chase Garbers and Wake Forest wide receiver Sage Surratt. Garbers has been a steady presence under center for the Golden Bears, while Surratt has been a standout playmaker for the Demon Deacons all season long.

Overall, this game has all the makings of a close and competitive matchup. With both teams hungry for a win, fans can expect an exciting game that could come down to the wire. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of either team or just looking for some Friday night football action, be sure to tune in to see how this game unfolds.