SMU Mustangs vs California Golden Bears Betting Pick & Prediction for 11/29

College Football Preview

In Week 14 of the 2025 regular season, the SMU Mustangs take on the California Golden Bears. This game will be held at the California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, CA. Fans can catch the action on ESPN2 at 8:00 PM on Saturday, November 29.

The SMU Mustangs enter the game with an 8-3 record and a #25 ranking in both the AP and Coaches Polls. They hold a strong conference record of 6-1. The California Golden Bears come in with a 6-5 record and a conference record of 3-4. Both teams are part of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

SMU Team Preview

The SMU Mustangs have had a strong showing in their recent games. They secured a 38-6 victory over the Louisville Cardinals at home. In that game, the Mustangs had 307 passing yards and 178 rushing yards.

SMU’s offensive strength is evident in their season stats. They have scored 360 points, ranking 30th in the nation. Their passing game stands out, with 3,152 yards, placing them 15th in the rankings.

Quarterback Kevin Jennings leads the Mustangs with impressive numbers. He has thrown for 3,113 yards and 24 touchdowns in 11 games. However, the team faces injury concerns with multiple players listed as questionable for their next game.

SMU vs California Game Day Info

  • Sport: NCAA Football
  • Teams: SMU Mustangs vs. California Golden Bears
  • Venue: California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, CA
  • Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
  • Betting Odds: SMU -546, California +403, SMU Spread -13.5 (-110), California Spread +13.5 (-111), Total Over/Under 53.5 (-110)

California Team Preview

The California Golden Bears have had a mixed regular season. In their recent game against Stanford, they lost 31-10. The Bears struggled on the ground, managing only 17 rushing yards compared to Stanford’s 161. Despite a strong passing game with 285 yards, it wasn’t enough to secure a win.

Earlier in the season, the Bears secured a 29-26 win against Louisville. They performed well, achieving 21 first downs and 350 passing yards. Their rushing game showed improvement with 77 yards, contributing to their victory.

In the game against Virginia, the Bears faced a 31-21 loss at home. The team had difficulty stopping Virginia’s run game, giving up 194 rushing yards. While the Bears had 255 passing yards, their ground attack only produced 8 yards, impacting their performance.

BTB Betting Pick

For the spread, SMU is favored by 13.5 points. Given SMU’s strong offense, ranked 15th in passing yards, and California’s weaker defense, ranked 108th in points against, SMU is expected to cover the spread. The projected score is SMU 34, California 17.

The total for the game is set at 53.5. Considering both teams’ scoring patterns and defensive ranks, the combined score is likely to be under. The projected total score is 51, suggesting a pick on the under.