The 18th Redbox Bowl is probably one of the least interesting bowl matchups out there as the California Golden Bears face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Both teams are 1-0 playing in San Francisco/Santa Clara.
Cal finished a disappointing 2019 regular season at 7-5 overall and at 4-5 in the Pac-12. The Golden Bears are bowling for the second consecutive season and will look to rebound from a disappointing showing last season. Cal is 11-11-1 all-time in bowl games.
Illinois finished 2019 with a surprising 6-6 overall record and 4-5 in the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini are bowling for the first time since 2014 and will look for their first win in a bowl game since 2011. Illinois is 8-10 all-time in bowl games.
Below is my pick for the Redbox Bowl between the California Golden Bears and the Illinois Fighting Illini. All lines are from the PointsBet Sportsbook.
California Golden Bears (-6.5) vs Illinois Fighting Illini: O/U 43 points (-115/-105)
Cal ended their 2019 regular season with a 28-18 win over the UCLA Bruins. The Golden Bears went down 7-0 early, but scored 14 unanswered points to really put this game in their favor. Cal won their final two games of the season, but will be disappointed with just seven wins after starting 4-0. The Golden Bears went 4-2 away from Berkeley this season. Cal is 6-6 against the spread and the under hit in eight of their 12 games this season.
Illinois ended their regular season with a disappointing 29-10 home loss to the 3-9 Northwestern Wildcats. The Fighting Illini led midway through the second quarter, but 14 unanswered points by the Wildcats put this game in Northwestern’s hands. Illinois lost their final two games of the regular season after winning four in a row to become bowl eligible. Away from Champaign, Illinois went 3-2 this season. Illinois is 8-4 against the spread and the under hit in seven of their 12 games this season.
Series History: Illinois leads the all-time series 7-3, but the two teams have not met since 2005.
Football Pick: I like under 43 points in this one.
YTD College Football Results: 68-57-2