Cal Golden Bears vs. Louisville Cardinals, Preview, Odds, Picks and Prediction for Saturday, November 8, 2025
Use Code WWWC A pair of ACC programs take to the field looking to pick up a win in the Bluegrass State when the Cal Golden Bears travel to face the #15 Louisville Cardinals Saturday night and we have you covered with our Cal vs. Louisville prediction. Cal fell 31-21 to #15 Virginia in their previous contest last Saturday, failing to cover the line as a 5.5-point underdog. Louisville took down Virginia Tech 28-16 on the road last Saturday, covering the line as a 10-point favorite, in their previous game. This marks the first time the programs have met as FBS opponents in their respective histories. Read more about this Cal vs. Louisville prediction! Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!
Cal Looking to Rebound After Two Straight Losses
Cal suffered their second straight loss and their third in the last four games as they were dropped by #15 Virginia at home last Saturday. The Golden Bears fell to 5-4 on the season overall and stand 2-3 in ACC play entering this contest. Against Virginia, Cal trailed 10-0 after the opening quarter and never got even after that. The Golden Bears cut the margin to three on multiple occasions, the last at 24-21 with 12:57 remaining, but they wouldn’t score the rest of the way to wind up with the loss. Cal was trounced 456-283 in total offense, allowed 23 first downs while recording 14, lost time of possession by a 35:26 to 24:34 margin and committed the game’s two turnovers, including a pick-six in the final minute, to wind up with the loss.
This season, Cal is tied for 40th in the nation in passing offense with 253.9 yards per game through the air and 135th in the nation in rushing offense with 78.6 yards per game on the ground. The Golden Bears are 89th in the FBS in scoring offense with an average of 24.6 points per game while they are 74th in scoring defense by allowing 25.1 points per contest. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is 194 of 317 passing for 2,195 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions plus a pair of rushing scores. Devin Brown (four of seven, 48 yards, TD, INT) is the backup quarterback. Kendrick Raphael leads the ground game with 148 carries for 612 yards and 10 scores. LJ Johnson Jr. (34 carries, 117 yards, two TD) and Brandon High Jr. (23 carries, 98 yards, TD) are next in line in the run game. Jacob De Jesus leads the team with 57 receptions for 541 yards and three touchdowns. Trond Grizzell (34 catches, 528 yards, TD), tight end Mason Mini (34 grabs, 382 yards, four TD), Jordan King (20 receptions, 248 yards, two TD) and Mark Hamper (14 catches, 179 yards) are each over 150 receiving yards on the year. Chase Meyer is 27 of 27 on extra point attempts and five of seven on field goal attempts with a long of 43 this year. Abram Murray has not attempted an extra point but is three of three on field goal attempts with a long of 49 this season.
Johnson Jr. and High Jr. are both questionable for this contest, which could impact the running back depth for the Golden Bears.
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Cardinals Seeking Fourth Straight Win
Louisville won their third straight game as it downed Virginia Tech on the road in their previous contest last week. The Cardinals improved to 7-1 overall and stand 4-1 in the ACC, leaving them tied for fourth in the conference. Against Virginia Tech, Louisville trailed 9-7 after the opening quarter and 16-7 at the half before getting in gear. The Cardinals outscored the Hokies 21-0 in the second half to earn the victory. Louisville rolled up a 371-240 advantage in total offense, picked up 18 first downs while allowing 16 and held a narrow 30:22 to 29:38 edge in time of possession. Those numbers helped make up for the fact that Louisville committed the game’s lone turnover and surrendered a safety in the contest.
The Cardinals enter this contest averaging 252 yards per contest through the air (46th in the nation) and 155.8 yards per game (68th) on the ground this season. Louisville is 37th in the FBS by averaging 33.8 points per contest, while the team is 34th in scoring defense by giving up 20.8 points per game. Miller Moss is 177 of 271 passing for 1,929 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions plus six rushing scores. Brady Allen (six of nine, 69 yards, TD, INT) and Deuce Adams (three of four, 18 yards, four rush yards) are next up on the depth chart. Isaac Brown leads the run game with 91 carries for 782 yards and five scores. Keyjuan Brown (52 carries, 321 yards, six TD), Braxton Jennings (12 carries, 70 yards, TD) and Duke Watson (24 carries, 64 yards) are also in the mix. Chris Bell leads the Cardinals with 56 receptions for 743 yards and six scores. Caullin Lacy (44 catches, 422 yards, two TD), Dacari Collins (eight grabs, 126 yards) and Jaleel Skinner (13 receptions, 155 yards, TD) are each over the 125-yard mark in receiving yards. Cooper Ranvier is 28 of 28 on extra point attempts and 11 of 13 on field goal attempts with a long of 50 this year. Nick Keller is one of two on extra points and two of three on field goal attempts with a long of 57 on the season.
Running backs isaac Brown, Jamarice Wilder and Shammai Gates are each questionable for this contest.
Cal vs. Louisville Prediction
Spread Pick for Cal vs. Louisville
- Louisville -19.5 (4 units)
Cal has been better than most would have expected with a freshman quarterback but they have returned to earth of late with three losses in their last four games. The Golden Bears are mediocre on the defensive side of things and they have to make the cross-country trip for this one. Cal lost at Virginia Tech and barely slipped past a one-win Boston College squad in Chestnut Hill. Traveling to face a Louisville squad that has just one loss on the year is a daunting task for the Golden Bears. The Cardinals are an explosive offensive squad, and they are at home here. Louisville piles up the points as they send Cal to another defeat, dropping the Golden Bears to .500 on the year.
Over/Under Pick for Cal vs. Louisville
- Over 50.5 (4 units)
Cal has seen the over post a 4-4-1 in their nine games this season. The Golden Bears have seen the over post a 2-1-1 mark in their last four games entering this contest. Cal has scored at least 27 points five times this season, though they could be challenged here to get to that point. Louisville has split their eight games in relation to the total this season. The Cardinals have scored at least 24 points in every game this season, and they have hung at least 27 points in seven of their eight games. At home, Louisville has averaged 36.8 points per game. The Cardinals flirt with the 40-point mark to help this one over the total.
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