SMU Mustangs defeat California Golden Bears 59-20: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Sat, Oct 24, 2026 · NCAAF · California Golden Bears 20, SMU Mustangs 59
The SMU Mustangs beat the California Golden Bears 59-20 on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The SMU Mustangs covered the spread as 18.5-point favorites. The game went over the closing total of 55.5, with 79 points combined.
California Golden Bears vs. SMU Mustangs final score and game recap
The SMU Mustangs led 10-7 after the first quarter. The California Golden Bears led 20-17 at halftime. The SMU Mustangs outscored the California Golden Bears 42-0 in the second half, 21-0 in the third quarter alone. They came back from a 3-point halftime deficit.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (California Golden Bears): 27/37 passing for 265 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions.
- Chase Hendricks (California Golden Bears): 7 catches for 83 yards, 1 receiving touchdown.
- Kevin Jennings (SMU Mustangs): 16/23 passing for 223 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
- Kendrick Raphael (SMU Mustangs): 22 carries for 104 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns.
Who covered the spread in California Golden Bears vs. SMU Mustangs?
The SMU Mustangs covered the spread as 18.5-point favorites, winning by 39 points.
The spread opened at SMU Mustangs -19.5 and closed at SMU Mustangs -18.5.
Did California Golden Bears vs. SMU Mustangs go over or under the total?
The game went over: 79 points combined against a closing total of 55.5, over by 23.5. 37 of the 79 points came in the first half.
The total opened at 55 and closed at 55.5.
How did AiQ's California Golden Bears vs. SMU Mustangs predictions do?
None of AiQ's picks in this game counts toward its record.
- Moneyline: the SMU Mustangs to win at -1100, a win. A price that short stays out of AiQ's record.
California Golden Bears vs. SMU Mustangs game prop results: first quarter, first half and team totals
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- First-quarter moneyline: SMU Mustangs won the first quarter, paying -475.
- First-quarter total 13.5: the over, paying -120, with 17 points scored.
- First-half moneyline: California Golden Bears won the first half, paying +470.
- SMU Mustangs team total 37.5: the over, paying -111, with 59 scored.
- California Golden Bears team total 17.5: the over, paying -106, with 20 scored.
- First-half total 28.5: the over, paying -112, with 37 points scored.
- First-half spread: California Golden Bears +10.5 covered, paying -112.
California Golden Bears vs. SMU Mustangs odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the California Golden Bears at +700 and the SMU Mustangs at -1200. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the SMU Mustangs a 88% favorite. The SMU Mustangs won as the favorite at -1200: $8.33 profit on a $100 bet. On AiQ's moneyline pick, the SMU Mustangs, the price before the game was -1100: priced below fair (−1.0% value).
The spread moved toward the California Golden Bears between the open and the close, and the SMU Mustangs covered. The total moved up from 55 to 55.5, and the game went over.
California Golden Bears and SMU Mustangs betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the California Golden Bears 3-5 in the 2026 regular season (2-3 at home, 1-2 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 2 of 8 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 3 times and under 5 times. That made it two straight losses for the California Golden Bears.
This result left the SMU Mustangs 6-1 in the 2026 regular season (5-0 at home, 1-1 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 3 of 6 games with a closing line on file, with 1 push. Their games went over the closing total 3 times and under 3 times. That made it four straight wins for the SMU Mustangs.
What's next for California Golden Bears and SMU Mustangs?
Next for the California Golden Bears: at the NC State Wolfpack on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Next for the SMU Mustangs: at the Syracuse Orange on Saturday, October 31, 2026.