After finishing the regular season 6-6, the Texas Tech Red Raiders take on the 6-6 Cal Golden Bears as a three-point favorite in a game with a 56.5-point total. Let’s dive into our Texas Tech-Cal odds, pick and prediction for this year’s Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. If you’re looking for more college football bets, check out our college football betting tools and our guide to betting on football.
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Pick: Texas Tech-Cal Bet
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Odds
Odds via bet365
Texas Tech: -160 | Cal: +135
Texas Tech -3.0: -110 | Cal +3.0: -110
Over 56.5: -110 | Under 56.5: -110
Expert: Matt Gajewski
Time: Saturday, Dec. 16 at 8:15 p.m. ET
Texas Tech-Cal News & Notes
Texas Tech Absences: G Cole Spencer, T Monroe Mills, WR Myles Price, WR Jerand Bradley, WR Loic Fouonji, WR JJ Sparkman, TE Jayden York, Edge Steve Linton, S Tyler Owens, DT Jaylon Hutchings, LB Jacob Rodriguez, LB Mike Dingle, QB Tyler Shough
Texas Tech Coaching Changes: N/A
Cal Absences: QB Sam Jackson V, C Matthew Cindric, WR Taj Davis, LB Jackson Sirmon, Edge Kaleb Elarms-Orr, CB Jeremiah Earby
Cal Coaching Changes: N/A
Texas Tech-Cal Comparison
| Metric | Texas Tech | Cal |
|---|---|---|
| Pace | 16th | 15th |
| Overall Offense | 59th | 66th |
| Run Blocking | 43rd | 104th |
| Pass Blocking | 16th | 109th |
| Pass Rate | 40th | 67th |
| Overall Defense | 87th | 106th |
| Run Defense | 90th | 121st |
| Pass Rush | 89th | 31st |
| Coverage | 69th | 106th |
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Pick & Prediction
After mediocre seasons on both sides, Texas Tech and Cal both reached bowl eligibility with 6-6 records. After playing a more difficult schedule, Texas Tech comes in as a three point favorite over Cal in a game with a 56.5 total.
On offense, Texas Tech remains fairly intact, despite losing two of their top three receivers in Myles Price and Jerand Bradley. The Red Raiders had reduced snaps for both receivers near the end of the year in favor of Coy Eakin and Xavier White, who remain with the team. More importantly, quarterback Behren Morton remains on the roster, along with the NCAA’s fourth leading rusher Tahj Brooks.
As for Cal’s defense, this unit ranks outside the top 100 in most major metrics outside of pass rush. Unfortunately, full time starter Kaleb Elarms-Orr hit the portal. With Texas Tech’s left tackle Monroe Mills also in the portal, these departures should be considered a wash. All in all, Texas Tech’s offense still possesses major advantages through the air and on the ground over Cal’s defense.
As for Cal’s offense, this unit remains mostly intact. Cal’s offense should find some success under freshman signal caller Fernando Mendoza, who still has Jeremiah Hunter and Trond Grizzell to throw to. The Bearcats also have sophomore sensation Jaydn Ott to fall back on in the run game. Unfortunately, this offensive line remains a major concern and Mendoza has yet to show game-breaking ability. On the year, he boasts a middling 62.4% completion percentage for 6.9 yards per attempt, 13 scores, and seven interceptions.
Texas Tech’s defense comes in far from elite, but this unit should still be considered superior to many of the units Cal faced in the PAC12. In what looks like a potential shootout from a pacing and weak defense perspective, Texas Tech should be able to out-gun Cal in this matchup.
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Pick & Prediction and our Texas Tech-Cal Bet: Texas Tech -3.0 -110 at bet365
