Clemson Tigers vs California Golden Bears Prediction, 9/25/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Clemson Tigers vs California Golden Bears

Date: Friday, September 25, 2026

Location: California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, CA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Bears (-1.5)

Total/Over-Under: 49.5

The Clemson Tigers (2-1) are on their way to California Memorial Stadium on Friday, September 25, 2026 where they will take on the California Golden Bears (2-1). California opens this matchup as 1.5-point favorites. The total has been set at 49.5.

The Clemson Tigers come into this game with a record of 2-1 this season. In their last matchup, the Tigers faced the North Carolina Tar Heels and went home with a win by a final score of 28-20. The Clemson Tigers ended up running the ball 36 different times and recorded 186 yards, which earned them an average of 5.2 yards per attempt. When all was said and done, they ran 66 plays which totaled 401 yds. Clemson gave up 13 completions on 30 attempts for 135 yards, and a completion rate of 43.3%. Against the run, the Tigers conceded 214 yds on 39 tries, which calculates to 5.5 yds per rush surrendered.

When talking about getting in the endzone, the Clemson Tigers have an average of 20.0 points per outing. As a unit they have an average of 125.3 yards on the ground which ranks them 109th in college football. The Tigers have earned 893 total yards for the year. In terms of getting the ball in the endzone, Clemson has earned 2 passing touchdowns and 3 rushing touchdowns. Clemson has recorded 50 first downs as an offense, and they have been flagged for 19 penalties for 166 yds. They have turned the football over 5 times.

In terms of yards via the pass, the Tigers have given up 714 yards which ranks them 103rd in D-1. They have surrendered 238.0 yards per game through the air and allowed a completion percentage of 54.5%. For the season, they are giving up 419.7 yards per outing which ranks them 116th in the nation. They have allowed 4 touchdowns via the pass as well as 5 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.7 yards per rush on the ground and 181.7 rushing yards per contest for the year. For the season, they have given up 545 rushing yards through 3 contests. The Tigers are ranked 99th in the nation regarding team defense, conceding 26.0 PPG.

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The Golden Bears head into this game 2-1 for this year. When they last stepped on the field, the Golden Bears went home victorious with a score of 49-7 against the Wagner Seahawks. California ran the ball for 4.8 yards per tote, finishing with a total of 134 yds on 28 carries. The Golden Bears finished the game with a total of 626 yards and they ran 71 plays (8.8 yds per play). The Golden Bears secondary conceded a completion rate of 46.9%, surrendering 86 yds on 15 out of 32 through the air. California allowed 27 rushing attempts for 112 yds (4.1 yards per rush).

The California Golden Bears are averaging 428.3 yards/contest, ranking them 55th in college football. The California offense has accrued 226 yards of penalties on 23 violations, which has them ranked 40th in the nation in terms of making mistakes. They are averaging 106.7 yards per game via the rush and have run for 320 yards for the year. They have given away 2 picks while letting opponents recover 3 fumbles and they have obtained 68 1st downs. When discussing the points being put on the board, the Golden Bears currently rank 73rd in D-1 with 31.3 points per game. During this campaign so far, the Golden Bears have compiled 965 passing yards as well as an average of 321.7 passing yards per game, which ranks 14th in college football.

The Golden Bears are giving up 23.3 points per game, which has them ranked 77th in D-1. California has conceded a total of 507 rushing yards (169.0 yards per outing) as well as 7 touchdowns via the rush for the season. They have allowed the opposition 2 touchdowns via the pass as well as 196.3 yards/contest, which has them in 64th in the nation. The Golden Bears defense has participated in 200 plays, which ranks them 89th in the nation. Their defense has compiled no fumbles and 5 picks so far this season. In total, they have allowed 70 total points.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Tigers +1.5

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