Who wants to travel from Northern California to Dallas, back again, and then another 2,450 miles to Raleigh, North Carolina? I don't think many college football teams would sign up for two such trips in less than two weeks, especially when the second game starts at noon on the East coast. Throw in two straight losses by a combined score of 100-27, and things become even less appealing. That's exactly the situation Cal finds itself in this weekend when it heads east to face an NC State squad hungry for a win of its own.
Both Cal and NC State had to travel to Raleigh from the Bay Area of California. The difference is that the Wolfpack were headed home, while the Golden Bears were embarking on their second cross-country trip in less than two weeks. Coincidentally, both teams enter this game on two-game losing streaks and with only three wins on the season. The real separation comes on offense and defense. NC State averages 32.3 points per game compared to Cal's 23.4, and the Golden Bears allow 400.6 total yards and nearly 191 rushing yards per contest. That should be welcome news for a Wolfpack offense that averages 162.3 rushing yards per game and features CJ Bailey under center. The talented quarterback has already thrown for 1,763 yards, 11 touchdowns and just four interceptions. While the records may look similar on paper, NC State appears to have a clear advantage entering Saturday's matchup.
CJ Bailey and the Wolfpack should have success offensively on Saturday, which is bad news for a Cal defense allowing more than 30 points per game. Excluding their three victories, each of the Golden Bears' five losses has come by at least eight points. With NC State back at home, facing an opponent making its second cross-country trip in less than two weeks, I like the Wolfpack to create similar separation and win by at least a touchdown.
NC State vs California prediction: NC State -6.5 (-120) available at time of publishing. Playable to -7 (-115).
