The California Golden Bears take on the Oregon State Beavers in Corvallis, Oregon. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Oregon State is favored by -1.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -125. The total is set at 50.5 points.
Here’s my California vs. Oregon State predictions and college football picks for Saturday, August 30, 2025.
California vs Oregon State Prediction
- California vs. Oregon State Pick: Oregon State -1.5
My Oregon State vs. California best bet is on Oregon State spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
California vs Oregon State Odds
| California Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -108 | 49.5 -112o / -108u | +100 |
| Oregon State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -112 | 49.5 -112o / -108u | -120 |
- California vs Oregon State point spread: Oregon State -1.5
- California vs Oregon State over/under: 49.5
- California vs Oregon State moneyline: California +100, Oregon State -120
California vs Oregon State Preview
California Golden Bears Betting Preview: Make or Break Year for Wilcox
I'd be surprised if Justin Wilcox is the head coach at California at this time next season.
Wilcox has had a decent run in Berkeley, but he's lost some momentum of late and this feels like a make-or-break year. I don't know if he has the talent on the roster to turn the tide, though.
It's ironic because the Golden Bears were actually a very solid team a season ago. They just simply couldn't catch a break in close games, turning a potential 9-3 regular season into a 6-6 campaign.
Flash forward a year later, and Cal has lost most of its production to either graduation or the transfer portal. In fact, no program lost more players to the portal.
NFL quarterback prospect Fernando Mendoza went to Indiana, star running back Jaydn Ott is now in Norman, and several other key pieces are now wearing a different uniform.
Getting off to a fast start this season will be critical, as things could snowball quickly otherwise.
Looking at things from a glass half-full perspective, the Golden Bears' ACC schedule is very manageable this year and the offensive and defensive lines do have some returnees.
Highly regarded freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele beat out Ohio State transfer Devin Brown to start at quarterback in Week 1.
It won't be an easy task to go on the road for his first ever start against a formidable Oregon State defense, but the reports out of camp have been positive.
Wilcox has always been an elite defensive mind, so there's hope that he could have that side of the ball ready to roll, despite all the new faces and younger pieces. I'm skeptical however, and I think the Golden Bears could really struggle to defend the Beavers' passing attack.
Oregon State Beavers Betting Preview: Will They Surprise This Season?
2025 marks the second year of the Trent Bray era for Oregon State, and the Beavers will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 5-7 campaign in 2024.
As one of the two remaining Pac-12 schools — alongside Washington State — Oregon State will be playing an independent-like schedule this year before rejoining a rebuilt conference in 2026. The Beavers actually play the Cougars twice in the regular season, which is pretty wild.
Quarterback Maalik Murphy comes over from Duke and will start the opener against Cal.
Murphy brings experience (26 touchdowns, 2,933 passing yards in 2024) and has plenty of athleticism and arm talent.
Returning offensive standouts include running back Anthony Hankerson, wide receiver Trent Walker and offensive lineman Van Wells.
Defensively, there are some strong pieces, including talented linebackers Nikko Taylor and Dexter Foster and a very dynamic defensive back in Sailasa Vadrawale III.
There's plenty to improve on from last season, as the Beavers' defense ranked 98th nationally in total defense (399.9 yards allowed per game) and 101st in scoring defense (29.9 points allowed).
Looking at this roster from top-to-bottom, I expect Oregon State to improve incrementally across the board this season. Bray was given a tough hand in his first season with the amount of turnover on the roster and the vanishment of the Pac-12.
He's done a good job of keeping the locker room together, and the transfer haul should put the Beavers in a position to be successful.
If Murphy can take care of the football and mature a little bit, this is a team that could flirt with 9-10 wins against a manageable schedule.
California vs Oregon State Pick, Betting Analysis
Reser Stadium, especially following the recent renovations, is one of the more underrated home field advantages in all of college football.
This place should be jumping on Saturday, especially given it's the home opener against a former Pac-12 school that found its way into a new league — unlike the Beavers.
I'm more bullish on Oregon State for this season than I am Cal to begin with, and I would've made the Beavers a favorite on a neutral field.
You're telling me I can bet Oregon State as a less than three-point favorite in Corvallis against a Golden Bear team with major concerns across the board? Sign me up.
I expect Oregon State to win this game, and I don't think it will be all that close.
Pick: Oregon State -1.5
California vs Oregon State Betting Trends
