California vs SMU Prediction, Picks & Odds (Week 8)
Sun, Oct 25, 12:00 AM ET
Why we pick this side
This season, California is 2-2 with 104 points for and 94 against; SMU is 3-1 with 148 points for and 99 against.
California is 2-3 in its last 5, averaging 27.0 scored and 25.8 allowed; most recently losing to Clemson 10-24 on September 25, 2026. SMU is 4-1 in its last 5, averaging 34.4 scored and 23.6 allowed; most recently beating Missouri State 34-24 on September 26, 2026.
These teams have met once in our results history, on November 29, 2025: SMU 35, California 38.
Injury report: California lists 4 (JaronKeawe Sagapolutele, Injured; Carter Vargas, Injured; Kamar Mothudi, Injured; more below); SMU lists 3 (Christian Rhodes, Injured; Link Rhodes, Injured; Jimmy Wyrick, Injured).
Injuries
California
- JaronKeawe Sagapolutele: Injured, Head
- Carter Vargas: Injured, Leg
- Kamar Mothudi: Injured, Head
- Ricky Fletcher: Injured, Leg
SMU
- Christian Rhodes: Injured, Hamstring
- Link Rhodes: Injured, Knee
- Jimmy Wyrick: Injured, Hamstring
Recent form
California
- September 25, 2026: L 10-24 vs Clemson
- September 19, 2026: W 49-7 vs Wagner
- September 12, 2026: W 21-18 at Syracuse
- September 5, 2026: L 24-45 vs UCLA
- December 24, 2025: L 31-35 at Hawai'i
SMU
- September 26, 2026: W 34-24 vs Missouri State
- September 19, 2026: L 31-41 at Louisville
- September 12, 2026: W 56-10 vs UC Davis
- September 7, 2026: W 27-24 at Florida State
- January 2, 2026: W 24-19 vs Arizona
Head to head
- November 29, 2025: SMU 35, California 38