California Golden Bears vs UNLV Rebels Prediction, 10/3/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: California Golden Bears vs UNLV Rebels

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026

Location: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV

TV: CBSSN

Odds/Point Spread: Rebels (-2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 53.5

Allegiant Stadium is where the UNLV Rebels (2-2) will attempt to defeat the California Golden Bears (2-2) on Saturday, October 3, 2026. California opens this contest as 2.5-point dogs. The over/under has been set at 53.5.

The California Golden Bears come into this game with a record of 2-2 for this season. In their last contest, the Golden Bears faced the Clemson Tigers and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 24-10. Against the rush, the Golden Bears conceded 255 yards on 49 tries, which is an average of 5.2 yards per run allowed. California relinquished 13 completions on 21 tries for 108 yds, and a completion percentage of 61.9%. In all, they tallied 57 plays which converted into 231 yds. The California Golden Bears ended up running the ball 27 times and tallied 86 yards, which came out to an average of 3.2 yards per attempt.

When it comes to putting points on the board, the California Golden Bears are sitting at 26.0 PPG. As a unit they are averaging 101.5 yards on the ground which has them sitting 127th in D-1. The Golden Bears have earned 1,516 yards in total for the season. When it comes to getting in the endzone, California has compiled 7 passing touchdowns and 4 touchdowns on the ground. California has accrued 81 first downs offensively, and they have committed 31 infractions for 287 yds. They have given the ball to the opposition 7 times.

In terms of yards via the pass, the Golden Bears have conceded 697 yds which has them ranked 36th in D-1. They have conceded 174.3 yards per outing via the pass and giving up a completion percentage of 53.3%. In total, they are granting 364.8 yards/outing putting them at 84th in D-1. They have surrendered 2 touchdowns through the air and 9 touchdowns running the ball. They are giving up an average of 5.3 yards per tote and 190.5 rushing yards per game for the year. In total, they have conceded 762 yards via the ground game in 4 contests. The Golden Bears are sitting in 75th in D-1 in terms of team defense, conceding 23.5 points per game.

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The Rebels come into this game with a record of 2-2 this year. The last time they took the gridiron, the Rebels walked away with a victory by a final of 38-10 against the Akron Zips. UNLV conceded 32 rushing attempts for 107 yards (3.3 yards per rush). The Rebels passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 53.8%, relinquishing 194 yds on 14 for 26 through the air. The Rebels finished the game with a total of 493 yards on 63 plays (7.8 yds per play). UNLV rushed for 6.0 yds per attempt, totaling 203 yards on 34 attempts.

When looking at their ability to score points, the Rebels currently rank 115th in college football with 21.5 points per contest. The UNLV Rebels maintain an average of 404.5 yards per game, which ranks them 70th in the country. The UNLV offense has racked up 268 penalty yds on 27 violations, which has them sitting 62nd in the country in terms of helping out the opposition. They have tossed 1 pick while conceding 3 fumbles and they have been able to earn 81 1st downs. During this campaign so far, the Rebels have thrown for a total of 900 passing yards as well as an average of 225.0 passing yards per outing, putting them at 76th in the nation. They hold an average of 179.5 run yards per game and have run for 718 yards for the season.

The Rebels are surrendering 21.8 points per game, which puts them 61st in the country. UNLV has yielded a total of 603 yards via the ground game (150.8 yards per game) and 5 touchdowns rushing for the season. They have yielded 4 touchdowns through the air and 213.5 yards per game, which has them sitting 78th in Division 1. The Rebels defense has been on the field for 261 plays, which ranks 77th in D-1. Their defense has 1 fumble and 4 picks so far this year. In total, they have conceded 87 pts.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Golden Bears +2.5

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