{"id":25122,"date":"2023-12-15T21:00:21","date_gmt":"2023-12-16T02:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=25122"},"modified":"2023-12-15T21:00:32","modified_gmt":"2023-12-16T02:00:32","slug":"independence-bowl-best-bets-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/college-football-bowl-games\/independence-bowl-best-bets-picks\/","title":{"rendered":"Independence Bowl Best Bets, California vs Texas Tech Picks – College Football 12\/16"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Independence Bowl Preview & Free Picks: California vs. Texas Tech Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Football content contributor Ron Marmalefsky<\/a> offers his tips on the Independence Bowl being played on December 16th, between California and Texas. What are his takeaways and things to watch from a betting perspective? Read below now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texas Tech went 7-5 in 2022 and expected to be even better in 2023.  Instead, they finished 6-6, needing three wins down the stretch to achieve bowl eligibility.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

California (Cal) needed to overcome early adversity, as they blew two winnable games and stood at just 3-6 for the season.  Their 33-7 win over UCLA got them bowl eligible.  Cal is happy to return to a bowl game, but how much will a bowl game in Louisiana inspire either fan base?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find free college football best bets<\/a> and bowl game coverage<\/a> this postseason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Independence Bowl Picks and Best Bets: California Preview <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cal\u2019s only signature win came vs. UCLA.  They had both Auburn and USC beat and lost both, with the Auburn game being a comedy of special team errors.  The good news is that Cal fixed their kicking game and went 8-9 with the new PK.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bad news is that for whatever reason, he\u2019s in the transfer portal.  Fernando Mendoza hit 62.4% with a 13-7 touchdown to interception ratio.  I project 20 or 21 completions in 34 attempts for close to 220 yards here.  I\u2019m exciting to see the RB matchup in this game, and fervently hope both Jaydn Ott and Texas Tech\u2019s Tajh Brooks play.  Ott ran for 1,260 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 21 passes.  I have him at 20-99 in this game.  I like the WR unit, and TE Endries is solid as well.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s partial buzz that a WR or two may skip the game, but so far, they plan to play.  The only offensive negative is losing their fine one-year coordinator, who got a huge pay raise to jump ship (Baylor).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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California Defensive Numbers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Playing in this year\u2019s PAC 12 was no bargain for any defense.  I projected Cal to allow 4.25 vs. the run and 63% vs. the pass.  The seasonal numbers ended up at 4.15 and 63% so my numbers were accurate, and not a sign that Cal\u2019s defense was regressing.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They will play yet another offensive-minded team in this game, and do so without some key players, including their leading tackler.  Cal had a modest 23-18 sack ratio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independence Bowl Best Bets & Betting Advice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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