North Carolina Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines during a game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The North Carolina Tar Heels (2-3, 0-1 ACC) and Cal Golden Bears (4-1, 1-1) meet Friday at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA football odds around the North Carolina vs. Cal odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.

North Carolina couldn’t keep pace with the Clemson Tigers last week, losing 38-10 at home and failing to cover as a 14-point underdog as the Over (46) cashed. The Tar Heels’ defense struggled mightily, giving up 488 total yards, while the offense mustered just 57 rushing yards. RB Benjamin Hall had the team’s lone touchdown, gaining just 24 yards on 5 carries.

Cal lost 45-21 at home to the Duke Blue Devils, failing to cover as a 3-point underdog as the Over (54.5) cashed. Turnovers proved costly for the Golden Bears, who gave the ball away 4 times — 3 coming on interceptions from QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. RB Kendrick Raphael was a bright spot, rushing 18 times for 67 yards and 2 TDs.

Cal claimed a 24-17 victory in the last meeting between these programs in 2018. The 7-point spread resulted in a push as the Under (57.5) comfortably cashed.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

Watch NCAA football on Fubo!

North Carolina at Cal odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:31 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): North Carolina +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | Cal -325 (bet $325 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): North Carolina +8.5 (-110) | Cal -8.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 47.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

North Carolina at Cal picks and predictions

Prediction

Cal 31, North Carolina 17

Moneyline

PASS.

I like Cal (-325) to get the victory at home, but I'll take the better odds with the spread.

Against the spread

BET CAL -8.5 (-110).

The Golden Bears are simply the more complete football team right now than Bill Belichick's squad. North Carolina has been outscored by a combined 53 points in its last 2 games. The Tar Heels’ offense has been stagnant against Power 4 competition, averaging just 11 points per game while surrendering 40 per outing. That’s not a trend you want to bring into Berkeley.

Meanwhile, Cal’s offense has been consistent all season, putting up at least 27 points in each of its 4 wins. RB Raphael has been fantastic since transferring from N.C. State, scoring 4 TDs through 6 games. QB Sagapolutele is putting up 246 yards per game through the air, good for sixth in the ACC.

The better team is at home facing a squad that's reeling from back-to-back blowouts, and this feels like a comfortable spot for Cal to control the game’s tempo. I see a double-digit victory Friday night.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 47.5 (-115).

The Tar Heels have scored just 19 total points over their last 2 games and continue to struggle offensively. The Under has hit in 3 of UNC’s last 4 games and in 2 of Cal’s last 3. Their previous meeting 7 years ago also finished Under and I’m expecting another low-scoring grind in this one.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / College Sports Wire / High School / Recruiting

This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: North Carolina Tar Heels at Cal Golden Bears odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Drew Phelps, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect