California Golden Bears vs NC State Wolfpack Prediction, 10/31/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: California Golden Bears vs NC State Wolfpack

Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026

Location: Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC

TV: ACC Network

Odds/Point Spread: Wolfpack (-7.5)

Total/Over-Under: 56.5

Carter-Finley Stadium is the site where the NC State Wolfpack (3-4) will meet the California Golden Bears (3-5) on Saturday, October 31, 2026. NC State opens this contest as 7.5-point favorites. The over/under comes in at 56.5.

The California Golden Bears head into this matchup 3-5 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Golden Bears played the SMU Mustangs and took a loss by a score of 59-20. On the day, they tallied 66 plays which gave them 305 yards. The California Golden Bears ran the rock 28 times and tallied 40 yds, which came out to an average of 1.4 yards per attempt. On the ground, the Golden Bears gave up 256 yds on 44 attempts, which is an average of 5.8 yds per rush surrendered. California allowed 17 completions on 24 tries for 236 yards, and a completion percentage of 70.8%.

In terms of putting the ball in the endzone, the California Golden Bears are averaging 23.4 points per outing. As a unit they're holding an average of 84.0 yards on the ground which has them sitting 137th in Division 1. The Golden Bears have tallied 2,954 total yards over the course of this year. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, California has totaled 13 touchdowns via the pass and 8 rushing touchdowns. California has accounted for 161 1st downs as an offense, and they have been flagged for 73 infractions for 682 yds. They have surrendered the football 8 times.

The Golden Bears rank 119th in the country regarding team defense, conceding 31.6 PPG. They are allowing an average of 5.2 yards per run and 189.4 yards on the ground per game so far this season. During the season, they have allowed 1,515 running yards through 8 games. In terms of passing yardage, the Golden Bears have allowed 1,680 yards which puts them in 97th in the nation. They have given up 210.0 yards per game via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 59.0%. In total, they are granting 399.4 yards/game putting them at 112th in D-1. They have granted 13 touchdowns via the pass and 20 touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Wolfpack head into this matchup 3-4 this season. When they last played, the Wolfpack walked away with a loss by a score of 31-28 against the Stanford Cardinal. NC State ended up running for 3.8 yards per tote, finishing the game with 125 yds on 33 attempts. The Wolfpack finished with a total of 381 yards and they ran 64 plays (6.0 yards per play). The Wolfpack passing defense allowed a completion percentage of 59.5%, surrendering 303 yards on 22 out of 37 passing. NC State relinquished 33 running attempts for 174 yds (5.3 yards per carry).

Concerning putting points on the board, the Wolfpack sit 48th in Division 1 holding an average of 32.3 points per game. The NC State Wolfpack are averaging 419.9 yards/contest, which ranks them 46th in Division 1. The NC State offense has racked up 340 yds of penalties on 38 infractions, which ranks them 116th in college football in terms of helping out the opposition. They have given away 4 picks while losing 5 fumbles and they have been able to earn 155 1st downs. For the season thus far, the Wolfpack have compiled 1,803 yards through the air in addition to an average of 257.6 throwing yards per contest, which ranks 38th in Division 1. They hold an average of 162.3 run yards per game and have toted the ball for 1,136 yards for this year.

The Wolfpack are relinquishing 28.1 PPG, which has them ranked 105th in college football. NC State has surrendered a total of 975 rushing yards (139.3 yards per game) in addition to 9 touchdowns on the ground so far this year. They have conceded 16 touchdowns through the air as well as 240.7 yards per outing, which has them in 111th in the nation. The Wolfpack defense has taken part in 430 plays, which ranks 20th in college football. They have earned 5 fumbles and 3 picks this year. This season, they have conceded 197 points.

Who will win tonight's Golden Bears/Wolfpack college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Wolfpack -7.5

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