Virginia vs. California Picks and Predictions, Saturday, November 1, 2025
Use Code WWWC The #15 Virginia Cavaliers (7-1, 4-0 ACC) and the California Golden Bears (5-3, 2-2 ACC) meet in an unexpectedly important ACC game on Saturday afternoon in this Virginia vs. California prediction. These teams did not meet last season. Virginia just went on the road ot defeat North Carolina 17-16, but missed the cover as large 12.5-point favorites. Cal went to double overtime with Virginia Tech, just to lose 42-34 as 5.5-point dogs. Kickoff is set for 3:45 EST and can be found on ESPN2. See below for our Virginia vs. California prediction, and keep up with all of our best NCAAF Betting Picks!
Virginia Wins Six Straight
The Virginia Cavaliers have been one of the most surprising stories in college football this season. They came into the year undefeated, but after six straight victories, they find themselves ranked 15th in the country, with a realistic shot of making the College Football Playoff. Over the past few weeks, they have taken down #8 Florida State, Louisville, and North Carolina on the way to their currently undefeated league record.
The Cavaliers were heavy favorites over Bill Belichick's North Carolina team; they did not cover the spread, but Virginia was still able to come away with the one-point victory. In the game, Chandler Morris passed for 200 yards and one touchdown in the win. Morris has been a welcome addition and has been well-traveled over his college career as he made stops with Oklahoma, TCU and North Texas before landing in Virginia. This season he has 1,807 yards with a 12-5 TD-INT ratio while completing 67.1% of his passes. He is also capable in the run game, with 170 rush yards and four touchdowns on the year. Their top running back is J'Mari Taylor with 581 yards and nine touchdowns out of the backfield.
Morris has two wideouts as his favorite targets, as 6'0 senior Trell Harris has 477 yards and four touchdowns, while 6'3 senior Jahmal Edrine has another 410 yards with one touchdown. Their defense has 20 sacks on the season, led by edge rusher Daniel Rickert with 5.5. The defensive unit has eight interceptions so far, led by Ja'son Prevard with three out of the secondary.
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
Golden Bears Look for Bowl Eligibility
The California Golden Bears come into this game with five wins, just one away from securing a bowl game invite. They only have two losses, so there is an outside chance of an ACC Championship berth, but they would need a mountain of results to fall their way for that to happen. Cal has lost two of their last three games coming into this one, with losses against Virginia Tech and Duke, while mixing in a win over UNC. Their most recent game was the shootout against Virginia Tech, where they lost in double overtime.
Cal starts a true freshman at quarterback, as Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele leads the way in his first season while standing 6'3 and 225 pounds. He has passed for over 200 yards in every game this season, and currently has 1,982 passing yards on the year. He has an 11-7 TD-INT ratio and is completing 61.0% of his passes. Sagapolutele is not a threat to run, as he has negative rushing yards on the season. When Cal does hand the ball off, it goes to Kendrick Raphael, who is a 5'11 junior with 566 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the season. His best game of the season came against Boston College, where he ran for 119 yards and a touchdown against an ACC opponent.
Jacob de Jesus transferred in from UNLV and is now Cal's top receiver. He has 492 yards and three touchdowns as a speed receiver standing just 5'7. Trond Grizzell is a bigger option at 6'4, he has 448 yards and a touchdown on the season. California has 13 sacks on the year, with no player getting more than three yet, while their secondary has helped to contribute to their six interceptions, with Hezekiah Masses grabbing four of them.
Virginia vs. California Prediction and Picks
Spread pick for Virginia vs. Cal
- Virginia -5.5 (5 units)
This pick was going to be Virginia based on the research, but the money has also been flying to the Cavaliers. Virginia opened as 3.5-point road favorites, but some heavy money on the Cavaliers has moved this a full two points up to -5.5 for the road team. Virginia has the better quarterback and more impressive wins coming into this game. The Cavaliers survived a scare last week against North Carolina and will not allow another game to stay close late against an inferior opponent. Morris has found a home with Virginia and is making one last run while completing 67.1% of his passes. Cal is starting their freshman quarterback, and while he has shown promise, he has only completed 61.0% of his throws and is not mobile out of the pocket. Follow the money here.
Take Virginia to win and cover.
Over/Under Pick for UVA vs. Cal
- Under 52.5 (4 units)
This is a tough spot for Virginia; they are the better team and will cover the spread, but this will not be a high-scoring blowout. Virginia has to cross the country to take on the Golden Bears three time zones away, a game that Virginia players are not accustomed to playing in the middle of their season. Virginia has a strong run game with Taylor, and even their quarterback can tuck the ball and run, which will keep the chains moving on the road. California is not built for big games, and their freshman quarterback is likely to shrink in this nationally televised game. Virginia has gone under in each of their last two games, and will go under again here.
Take the under.
Betting on College Football?
- Bet with other College Football fans at the best sportsbooks
- Sign up today and get started with the latest college football sportsbook promos
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
