Clemson at California

I had Georgia Southern covering as a big underdog against Clemson two weeks ago, and the number that stuck with me wasn't the final score; it was how modest Clemson's margin was against a team it never should have had to work for. That offense still hasn't shown up in any real way: one passing touchdown from Tait Reynolds through three games, and the production has leaned entirely on Gideon Davidson's legs. California doesn't have that problem. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has thrown for seven touchdowns and better than 280 yards a game, and the Bears have scored in bunches even in a loss to a very good UCLA team. Clemson's defense held UNC and Georgia Southern in check the last two weeks, but neither offense throws the way Cal does, and the same unit gave up 51 points to LSU in its only game against a real passing attack this year. This total doesn't need Clemson's offense to find itself; it needs Cal's passing game to keep doing what it's already doing against a defense that hasn't faced anything like it. Back the OVER.