Armed Forces Bowl California vs. Air Force Picks & Predictions
Play: Anthony Rome
A clash of offensive styles will be on display in the Armed Forces Bowl today at 2:00PM ET when Cal takes on Air Force in Fort Worth, Texas.
Oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI currently list the Golden Bears as 7-point favorites over the Falcons, while the over/under sits at 68 points. Cal enters play after recording a 7-5 record during the regular season, covering the spread in only five of those 12 games. As for Air Force, the Falcons finished 8-5 in the regular season and 9-4 at the betting window.
Our College Football Public Betting page shows that the action on this game is split. The Falcons are receiving only slight backing at 51%, making this one of the more even matchups at the betting window this bowl season.
The Pick:
It's a small sample size with only two games, but thus far the teams that run the triple-option have had success this bowl season. New Mexico fell 45-37 to Arizona in the New Mexico Bowl to kick off the bowl action but also covered as a 9-point underdog. Georgia Southern also beat Bowling Green outright 58-27 as a 4.5-point underdog and Navy blasted Pittsburgh 44-28 as a 3-point favorite on Monday.
Granted, Air Force isn't "just" a triple-option team. The Falcons will run spread, no-huddle, use up-tempo and then hit you with the I-formation all in one game. The bottom line is that they're difficult to prepare for and while Cal's passing game will provide a challenge for Air Force, the Falcons should be able to keep pace with a Golden Bears' defense that allowed 203.5 rushing yards per game this season. Take the points.
ARMED FORCES BOWL FREE PICK: AIR FORCE FALCONS +7