Redbox Bowl Prediction
Can Illinois pick up an upset victory when the Fighting Illini take on California in the Redbox bowl today 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 -6.5 points against Illinois. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 44 points. The public betting currently has 56 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.
Illinois struggling in the end
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 this afternoon. Reggie Corbin is the team’s leading rusher with 634 yards and six touchdowns, while Dre Brown has 545 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Cal strong on defense
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.
College Football Betting Trends
Illinois
The Illini have covered the spread in five straight games as an underdog and in six of their last seven overall.
Cal
The Golden Bears are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games against Big Ten opponents, but just 1-4 ATS in their last five bowl games.
Prediction:
Cal had a lot of low-scoring games this season, so there is a concern for them to be able to win by a spread of this size, but I think the Bears can get it done. Illinois struggled against good defensive teams and were held to 10 points in their last two games against Iowa and Northwestern. Now they have the play the Bears in California. I don’t see the Illinois offense having much, if any, success and the defense isn’t good enough to shut out the Bears either.
Redbox Bowl Prediction: California -6.5
Related: Redbox Bowl Total Prediction