CLEM to win-130
TLDR: Clemson won by 14, and the case mostly held. Cal scored only 10 points. But the win came from Gideon Davidson's 159 rushing yards and a punt-return touchdown, and the thin defense we worried about held Sagapolutele to 119 yards.
Point
- Travel
Clemson landed in Oakland Wednesday and practiced Wednesday and Thursday at the 10:30 PM ET kickoff hour, switching to Pacific time instead of fighting it.
Helped usTrailed 7-0 early, then outscored Cal 24-3 - Late kicks
Storm delays already pushed the LSU and Georgia Southern kickoffs to 9:40 and 9:30 PM ET, so this roster has played this late before.
Helped usClemson got stronger late and scored twice after halftime - Cal injuries
Cal lists defensive lineman Nate Burrell as doubtful, which helps a Clemson offensive line playing without Adam Guthrie and Mason Wade.
Helped usDavidson ran for 159 yards; Burrell's status unconfirmed - Cal's record
Cal's only win over an FBS team is a 21-18 escape at Syracuse, and UCLA beat the Bears by 21 in Berkeley.
Helped usCal managed 10 points and 1 touchdown
Counterpoint
- Ballhawk
Cal safety Kingston Lopa leads the FBS with 5 interceptions, a real threat to a true freshman making his 2nd start on the road.
Didn't hurt usReynolds threw 1 interception, and it did not decide the game - The spot
No. 6 Miami, 3-0, visits Clemson on October 3, which makes a late-night trip to Cal the easy game to look past.
Didn't hurt usNo letdown; Clemson won by 14 on the road
Neutral
- Weather
Berkeley's forecast is fair and dry Friday night, falling toward 54 degrees with a light south-southwest wind, so conditions should not favor either side.
Didn't matterNothing suggests conditions affected play - Rest
Both teams played Saturday, September 19, so each side has 6 days of rest for a Friday game and neither gets an edge.
Didn't matterBoth teams had equal rest; neither got an edge
