RedBox Bowl Total Prediction
Can California lock up the Illinois offense when the two collide in the Redbox Bowl on Monday at 4PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
Redbox Bowl
249 Illinois vs. 250 California
Monday, December 30, 2019
4PM ET – Levi’s Stadium
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, California is favored in this bowl game, as the Golden Bears are getting odds of -5.5 points against Illinois. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 43.5 points. The public betting currently has 55 percent going on Illinois as the underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Cal finishes strong
Cal had a strong start and strong finish to the 2019 season. The Golden Bears won three of their final four games, besting UCLA in their finale 28-18. Cal is 7-5 on the season, 6-6 against the spread and 8-4 with the under.
The Golden Bears have been led by their defense all year, allowing just 22.1 points and 385.7 yards per game. Their run defense ranks in the top 30 in the nation by giving up just 123.3 yards per game. Cameron Goode leads the unit with 51 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Offensively, Cal averages just 20.1 points and 323.2 yards per contest. Chase Garbers has led them down the stretch, throwing for 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns this year, while also rushing for 242 yards and two scores. Christopher Brown Jr. is the team’s leading rusher with 794 yards and eight touchdowns, while Nikko Remigio is the leading receiver with 477 yards and two scores on 34 catches.
Illinois drops last two
Illinois had a surprising 4-game win streak in the middle of the season, but the Illini lost their final two games of the year to Iowa and Northwestern. The Illini are 6-6 on the season, 8-4 against the spread and 7-5 with the under.
The Illini aren’t too solid on either side of the ball. The defense is average, giving up 25.4 points and 410.7 yards per game. Their offense averages just 27.3 points and 319.7 yards per game. Brandon Peters has thrown for 1,611 yards and 17 touchdowns this season to lead the offense. He missed some time with a head injury, but is expected to play on Monday. Reggie Corbin is the team’s leading rusher with 634 yards and six touchdowns, while Dre Brown has 545 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Cal
The Golden Bears have hit the over in six of their last seven against Big Ten opponents, but have hit the under in seven of their last nine non-conference games.
Illinois
The Illini have hit the under in six straight games on a neutral field and in five of their last six non-conference games.
Prediction:
The total is set quite low, but I think the under is going to be the play. Cal is a team that is defensive minded and it’s facing a rather pedestrian offense. That should keep the Illini from putting up many points. Cal isn’t a terribly potent offense either and Illinois should be used to its physical style up front from a full slate of Big Ten games. I think the Illini will be able to match Cal’s defensive effort and keep this game very low-scoring.
Redbox Bowl Prediction: Cal/Illinois Under 43.5