California Golden Bears vs. Hawaii Warriors Betting Odds, College Football Pick

The California Golden Bears will begin life without NFL top overall pick Jared Goff on Friday night when they take on the Hawaii Warriors in the College Football Sydney Cup in Australia. The Los Angeles Rams selected Goff back in April, and his former school is going through a major rebuilding phase without him back under center.

Point spread: The Golden Bears opened as 23-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 43.0-12.7 Golden Bears           

Why the California Golden Bears can cover the spread

Cal went 8-5 last season with Goff throwing for 4,719 yards and 43 touchdowns, both ranking third-best in the country. The Golden Bears finished 6-7 against the spread but covered the 5.5-point closing line in a 55-36 rout of the Air Force Falcons in the Armed Forces Bowl.

They return only eight starters overall, with former Texas Tech quarterback Davis Webb taking over for Goff as a graduate transfer. Webb was the 2013 Holiday Bowl MVP and threw for 5,557 yards with 46 touchdowns and 22 interceptions for the Red Raiders before losing the starting job to Patrick Mahomes.

Why the Hawaii Warriors can cover the spread

Hawaii is in slightly better shape from a personnel perspective despite going 3-10 straight up and ATS last season. The Warriors have failed to cover six straight games along with 10 of 11, and former signal-caller Nick Rolovich will try to turn the program around following four years as offensive coordinator of the Nevada Wolf Pack.

Rolovich will have eight starters back on offense, including senior quarterback Ikaika Woolsey, who has started 19 games over the past three seasons. Woolsey will also have some help in the backfield with senior running back Paul Harris returning after rushing for 1,132 yards and scoring six touchdowns for Hawaii in 2015.

Smart pick

The total on this game is listed at 63 points, so bettors can expect a high-scoring affair. How high remains to be seen, however, considering the new players for Cal on offense.

The over cashed in five straight for the Warriors to end last year after going under in six of the team’s first eight games, according to the Odds Shark college football database. The Golden Bears have seen the over go 3-1 in their last four games after the under went 7-2 to start last season. With little defense expected, look for this game to go over the total.

Betting trends

Hawaii is 0-6 ATS in its last six games.

California is 7-2 SU in its last nine games in Week 1.

California is 3-0 ATS in its last three games as a favorite of 20 points or more.

The total has gone under in seven of California's last 10 games.

All point-spread and betting lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Odds Shark on Twitter and YouTube for injury information, line movement updates and more game analysis, and get the free odds tracker app.