Syracuse Football: 'Cuse at California how to watch, odds and prediction in week 12

Syracuse football, this coming Saturday afternoon, will play its final road game of the 2024 regular season, as the Orange looks to get back into the win column.

This past weekend, the 'Cuse found itself in a battle with long-time rival Boston College on the road. The Orange couldn't stop the Eagles' rushing attack, and while Syracuse football fought tough, Boston College would ultimately prevail by a final count of 37-31.

That setback for the 'Cuse all but eliminated the team from reaching the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, which will take place in early December in Charlotte, N.C. However, the Orange has already clinched post-season eligibility for the third straight year, and the squad will look to improve its standing in the ACC while securing a quality bowl game.

Next up for Syracuse football is a road date with new conference member California. Then, the 'Cuse will wrap up its 2024 regular season by hosting UConn and then Miami, which last weekend suffered its first loss of the current campaign.

Syracuse football at California odds, spread and total

When I wrote this article, FanDuel had the Orange as an 8.5-point betting underdog at the Golden Bears, with the over/under set at 55.5 points.

Syracuse football at California how to watch

Date: Saturday, Nov. 16
Game Time: 3:00 pm EST
Venue: California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif.
TV/Streaming: The CW Network and fuboTV
California's record: 5-4, 1-4 in the ACC
Syracuse's record: 6-3, 3-3 in the ACC
Syracuse’s full 2024 schedule: Click here

Syracuse football at California prediction and pick

In their short all-time series together, per SU Athletics, the 'Cuse is 1-1 against the Golden Bears, with both of those contests occurring in the late 1960s. California is one of three new ACC members in the 2024-25 sports season, along with Stanford and SMU.

Cal has won two encounters in a row. So far in the 2024 term, the Golden Bears have conquered UC Davis, Auburn, San Diego State, Oregon State and Wake Forest. Conversely, California has fallen to Florida State, Miami, Pittsburgh and N.C. State.

Here are a couple of stats to pass along regarding the Golden Bears. In the ACC, Cal is No. 1 in scoring defense, allowing just 19.3 points per game. California is No. 2 in the league in total yards allowed per contest, at 327.9.

The Golden Bears, within the conference, are much better on defense against the run than against the pass, so that could play well for the Orange, which has a potent air attack led by senior quarterback Kyle McCord, who leads the ACC in passing yards per affair, at 350.3.

Obviously, for the 'Cuse to win on Saturday at Cal, the team's defensive line will have to up its game. Last Saturday, Boston College dominated Syracuse football on the ground, tallying a whopping 313 rushing yards.

That being said, the Golden Bears are No. 14 within the ACC in rushing yards per contest, at 118.3.

I'm not super confident in the Orange's defense these days, and Cal is on a mini roll of late. Plus, the 'Cuse program has to travel across the country to the west coast for this ACC clash.

As such, while I hate to do this, I'm going to forecast the Golden Bears to knock off Syracuse football, 30-27.