Auburn vs. Cal picks, predictions: Week 2 college football computer picks, betting odds, lines

Expert game picks and predictions for Auburn vs. Cal as the Week 2 college football schedule kicks off this SEC vs. Pac-12 game

This weekend brings us an intriguing non-conference matchup between SEC and Pac-12 teams as first-year head coach Hugh Freeze brings Auburn out west to face off against Cal in college football's Week 2 action on Saturday. 

Our first glimpse of the Freeze project at Auburn produced a solid result last week as the Tigers rolled in a 59-14 victory over UMass, rushing for 294 yards total, including 3 touchdowns from backup quarterback Robby Ashford, while starter Payton Thorne passed for 1 more, although the Minutemen were able to sneak a few big plays past them and struggled somewhat against the run early in the game.

Cal was tied with North Texas early on the road but the Bears dug in and went on a 42-7 scoring run, exploding for 357 rushing yards including Jaydn Ott's two-TD effort and Isaiah Ifanse added three more scores on the ground.

What do the experts think of the matchup? Let's see how the College Football Power Index computer prediction model projects the game.

Auburn vs. Cal picks, predictions

Auburn vs. Cal picks, predictions / USA Today Images

Cal odds: The computers are siding with the home team on Saturday, giving the Golden Bears the narrow 54.3 percent chance to win the game outright, according to the model that picks winners by simulating games 20,000 times.

Auburn odds: Conversely, the index is giving the Tigers a close 45.7 percent chance to win out on the Coast and move to 2-0 on the year, per the models.

Point spread: The oddsmakers take a different view, naming Auburn as the close 5.5 point favorites against Cal, according to the lines at SI Sportsbook. Track it live

Total: 56.5 points

Moneyline: AUB -225 | CAL +170

Auburn predictions: The index rates the Tigers as the No. 22 team in the nation on the latest 133 college football rankings, moving up 10 spots in the poll, projected to be 12.1 points better than an average opponent, estimated to win 6.9 games this season.

Cal predictions: FPI ranked the Golden Bears at No. 31 nationally, a jump of 17 spots in the rankings after they posted nearly 670 yards in the opener, projected to be 8.9 points better than an average opponent, and estimated to win 6.9 games this season.

Auburn vs. Cal schedule

When: Sat., Sept. 9
Time: 9:30 p.m. CT, 7:30 p.m. PT
TV: ESPN network
Stream: fuboTV (Try for free)

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College Football Power Index

Football Power Index (FPI) college football rankings and computer prediction model are a measure of team strength that predicts a team’s future performance.

Rankings and scores predictions are based on 20,000 simulations of a team’s season, using a combination of analytics, including scores to date, quality of opponents, and a team’s schedule.

How to stream college football

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College football rankings

According to AP top 25 poll

1. Georgia (58)
2. Michigan (2)
3. Alabama
4. Florida State (3)
5. Ohio State
6. USC
7. Penn State
8. Washington
9. Tennessee
10. Notre Dame
11. Texas
12. Utah
13. Oregon
14. LSU
15. Kansas State
16. Oregon State
17. North Carolina
18. Oklahoma
19. Wisconsin
20. Ole Miss
21. Duke
22. Colorado
23. Texas A&M
24. Tulane
25. Clemson

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