It’s a battle of Pac-12 programs on the gridiron up on the Palouse in the Pacific Northwest. The Cal Golden Bears are on the road as they make the trip up the west coast to face the Washington State Cougars Saturday afternoon. Cal comes in off a 49-31 home victory over Arizona in their most recent contest, covering the line as a 3.5-point favorite last Saturday. Washington State battled but fell 44-41 to Oregon at home last Saturday though they did manage to cover the line as a 6.5-point underdog. In the all-time series between the programs, the Golden Bears own a 48-29-5 advantage but it was the Cougars picking up a 21-6 road victory in the most recent matchup on October 2, 2021.
Cal bounced back from their seven-point defeat on the road in South Bend against Notre Dame as they opened conference play with an emphatic win over Arizona in their previous contest. The Golden Bears improved to 3-1 overall and stand 1-0 in Pac-12 play on the year. Against Arizona, Cal trailed 14-7 after the opening quarter and 24-21 at the half before taking control with 21 unanswered points to go up 42-24 just seven seconds into the final quarter. The Golden Bears never let the Wildcats closer than 11 after that en route to the win. Cal held a 599-536 edge in total offense, controlled the clock by a 33:14 to 26:46 margin and forced the game’s lone three turnovers to offset losing the first down competition by a 31-27 margin.
On the season, Cal is 74th in the nation in passing offense with 243.8 yards per game through the air and 56th in the nation in rushing offense w ith 176.3 yards per game on the ground. The Golden Bears are 75th in the FBS in scoring offense with an average of 30 points per game while they are 43rd in scoring defense by allowing 20.5 points per contest. Jack Plummer is 85 of 139 passing for 976 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions while adding eight yards plus a score on the ground. Jaydn Ott leads the team on the ground with 56 carries for 463 yards and four scores after exploding for 274 yards plus three scores against Arizona September 24. DeCarlos Brooks (33 carries, 132 yards, TD) and Damien Moore (14 carries, 63 yards) are also in the mix in the run game. When Cal goes to the air, Jeremiah Hunter leads the team with 21 receptions for 305 yards plus a pair of scores. J. Michael Sturdivant (17 grabs, 225 yards, two TD) and Mavin Anderson (11 catches, 98 yards, TD) are the only other players with double-digit receptions on the season. Dario Longhetto has connected on all 15 extra point at tempts and five of seven field goal tries with a long of 41 this year.