The opening salvo of bowl season wraps up late on Saturday, with the Independence Bowl pitting the 6-6 Cal Golden Bears against the 6-6 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Who emerges victorious from just the second-ever meeting between the two teams? Ahead of the game, we’ve got the latest college football betting odds, DFS picks, and an Independence Bowl prediction.
Independence Bowl Betting and DFS Preview
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and correct as of Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. Want to take advantage of the Independence Bowl odds? Visit the College Football Network live college football odds page to place bets in your state.
- Spread
Texas Tech -3 - Moneyline
Texas Tech -155, Cal +130 - Over/Under
56.5 points - Game time
9:15 p.m. ET - Location
Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA - Predicted Weather at Kick
38 degrees, 8 mph winds, considerable cloudiness - How to Watch
ESPN, FuboTV
Looking to cash in on Cal? Ready to risk it for the Red Raiders? If you’re going to take advantage of the Independence Bowl odds, consider some of the following factors before you part with your hard-earned cash.
Texas Tech beat Cal in the only previous game between the two, and the Red Raiders come into the game as a slight favorite, according to the latest DraftKings Sportsbook odds.
Before the season, when expectations were at their highest for Joey McGuire’s team, you wouldn’t have batted an eye at the possibility of the team getting a comfortable win over the Bears.
However, the Red Raiders haven’t lived up to expectations and Cal comes into the game on a three-game win-streak after a season of struggles amidst a brutal mid-season schedule. Jason Wilcox’s team has covered four times in the last five games, including twice as an underdog, and they’re capable of upsetting the apple cart once more in the Independence Bowl.
Other Bowl Game Predictions: Independence
Wrapping up the Independence Bowl odds with the points total, Cal is 7-5 going over the line, mainly due to some diabolical defensive displays in the middle of the year. Meanwhile, Texas Tech is 5-7, covering the points line in the 2023 season.
Our Independence Bowl prediction suggests the game could cover by the very finest of margins.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
Cal Depth Chart | Texas Tech Depth Chart
- QB Fernando Mendoza, Cal
- QB Behren Morton, Texas Tech
- RB Jayden Ott, Cal
- RB Isaiah Ifanse, Cal
- RB Justin Williams-Thomas, Cal
- RB Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
- RB Cam’Ron Valdez, Texas Tech
- RB Nehemiah Martinez, Texas Tech
- WR Jeremiah Hunter, Cal
- WR Trond Grizzell, Cal
- WR Monroe Young, Cal
- WR Drae McCray, Texas Tech
- WR Xavier White, Texas Tech
- WR Coy Eakin, Texas Tech
- TE Jack Endries, Cal
- TE Mason Tharp, Texas Tech
There are six college football games on Saturday to compile your DFS team from. If you’re new to DFS, Fanduel Superflex contests require you to select a quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, and a “Superflex” that can be any of the above or a tight end.
If you populate your DFS lineup with any Independence Bowl picks, they’re likely going to come from the running back position. Jayden Ott (224.2 points) and Tahj Brooks (206.4 points) are two of the top-scoring running backs in the country.
Brooks recently announced his return to the team for 2024, and his presence will be vital for the Red Raiders — as we’ll explain shortly. The Texas Tech rusher has a slightly less advantageous matchup than Ott in this clash, which could make the Cal rusher the most lucrative fantasy asset in this game.
Several Red Raiders pass-catchers entered the portal, decimating their best fantasy options. Cal’s Jeremiah Hunter is known for the Independence Bowl, snagging three touchdowns in the last two games as he has emerged as a go-to target for Fernando Mendoza once the freshman QB secured the starting role.
Prediction for the Independence Bowl
Okay, so we’ve furnished you with the Independence Bowl odds and some DFS picks. Now, it’s time to close this thing out with our prediction.
Can Cal close out their time in the Pac-12 with a bowl win for the first time since 2019? Will Texas Tech end their season on a high note with a third consecutive bowl win?
MORE: College Football Bowl Schedule
After ending the 2022 season by beating Ole Miss in the Texas Bowl, the Red Raiders were on an upward trajectory and garnered a lot of national attention prior to the season. This year hasn’t turned out as expected, and the team will be without multiple top playmakers as they seek a fresh start elsewhere. The loss of Jerand Bradley and Miles Cross is significant here.
With difficulties in the passing game, running back Brooks has been the spearhead of the Texas Tech offense and after announcing his return for 2024, he’s set to play in the Independence Bowl.
The Bears have had some really rough performances this year, averaging 32.7 points per game. However, they’ve been solid the last two weeks, allowing just 15 and 7 points to Stanford and UCLA, respectively.
Cade Uluave has emerged as a dangerous force in all phases, with his play against the run contributing to a unit that allows less than four yards per carry.
Their greater ability to slow down the run game should help Cal running back Ott to be the difference-maker. With his usage as a receiver out of the backfield, the Golden Bears rusher averages more yards per carry and has found the end zone more times than his counterpart in this matchup.
A Red Raiders defense that allows 4.49 yards per carry is in for a tough night.
Prediction: Cal 30, Texas Tech 27
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