Miami has remained a 10.5 point favorite throughout the week entering their game at California on Saturday night per Fan Duel. The money line has moved. Miami is minus 385 and California is plus 300. Earlier this week, California was plus 275 and Miami was minus 200. The over/under for Saturday is 53.5
The over/under has moved down from 54.5 earlier this week. On Monday, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal announced edge rusher Rueben Bain is returning for the game at California. Bain has been out since the first series of the season in a 41-17 win at Florida. Miami has maintained an elite defensive line without Bain.
Miami is seventh nationally with 40 tackles for loss and third with 18 sacks. Bain will team with Elijah Alston and Tyler Baron to give Miami fresh edge rushers on nearly every play. Bain could move inside on passing downs. The return of Bain could have pushed the over/under down one point.
The 10.5-point spread is the second-lowest for Miami this season. Miami was a 2.5-point favorite at Florida. Miami is 3-2 versus the point spread in 2024. Miami covered in a 41-17 win at Florida, a 62-0 win as a 36.5-point favorite over Ball State and 50-15 over South Florida minus 16.5.
Miami failed to cover as a 48.0 favorite in a 56-9 win over Florida A&M and minus 17.5 in a 38-34 win over Virginia Tech last week. California is 2-2 versus the spread in 2024. California covered in a 21-14 win at Auburn as a 12.5-point underdog and as a 18.5-point favorite in a 31-10 win over San Diego State.
California did not cover in a 31-13 season-opening win as a 19.5-point favorite over UC-Davis and as a 2.5-point underdog in a 14-9 loss at Florida State. Four of the five Miami games have reached the over in 2024. The only exception was the South Florida game which ended in a push.
All four California games have gone under. The over/under for the four California games this season were 55 versus UC-Davis, 53 at Auburn, 49 versus San Diego State and 44 at Florida State. The contrast between California and Miami is prevalent with how the over/unders have come in during the 2024 season.
Predictions for Miami at California
Miami could have its lowest-scoring game of the season versus a good California defense. Cam Ward has to limit his turnovers after losing three fumbles and throwing an interception for Washington State during a 42-39 loss at California in 2023. Take the under and Miami slightly covers by a score of about 31-17.