| Cal's defense will have their hands full with Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller on Saturday. (Getty Images) |
Cal (1-1, 0-0 Pac-12) at No. 12 Ohio State (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Kickoff: Saturday, noon ET (ABC)
Spread: Ohio State by 17
Watchability: After getting beat down by the Pac-12 last week, the Big Ten will be looking for revenge Saturday, so fans of both conferences should tune in. The noon ET kickoff time means a 9 a.m. start on the West Coast, so Cal fans will need to wake up early or stay up all night. Or both.
Shining stars: Cal: WR Keenan Allen. If the Bears are going to pull off the upset in Columbus, they're going to have to get Allen involved early and often. The junior wide receiver is averaging 154 yards from scrimmage per game this year, which ranks 24th in the country. Allen isn't just a threat at wide receiver either as he has both a rushing touchdown and punt return for a touchdown this season. Ohio State: QB Braxton Miller. Miller's done everything in the Buckeyes' first two games except play defense. The sophomore dual-threat QB has averaged 181 yards through the air and 151 yards on the ground in two wins. His three rushing touchdowns against Central Florida last week were the most rushing TDs by an Ohio State quarterback since 1978.
Who could steal the show: Cal: QB Zach Maynard. Ohio State has the No. 1 ranked run defense in the Big Ten and the eighth-best run defense in the country. If Cal's running game can't get going on Saturday, it will be up to Maynard and his left arm to win it for the Golden Bears. Ohio State: CB Travis Howard. Maynard has been known to struggle with his accuracy and if he struggles with it Saturday, Howard will the there to take advantage of it. The Buckeye corner has picked off three passes in Ohio State's first two games, that total ranks him tied for first in the country.
You going? Ranking the road trip: When it comes to college football, there aren't many things better than a tailgate at Ohio State. If you're a college football fan who's never been to Columbus, you should be on the first flight/train ride/bus to Ohio this weekend. For postgame fun, go to the Varsity Club near Ohio Stadium, then thank us later.
Magic number for Cal: 5-1. Coach Jeff Tedford seems to do his best coaching when he has a cup of coffee in his hand. Since Tedford took over as coach in 2002, Cal is 5-1 in games that start before noon PT, including a 3-0 record against the Big Ten. Saturday's game kicks off at 9 a.m. PT.
Magic number for Ohio State: 59. Consecutive wins over unranked, nonconference opponents at the Horseshoe since 1982. That's not good news for Cal.
The game comes down to: Quarterback play. The last time Cal faced a dual-threat QB was in the season opener when Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo sliced and diced the Bears for 97 yards rushing and 230 yards passing. If Cal can't contain Miller on Saturday, the game could get really ugly, really fast. [To read Eye on College Football's keys to the Cal/Ohio State game, click here.]
Prediction: Ohio State 34, Cal 24
For all the Pac-12 news you can handle, follow @CBSSportsPac12, @JohnBreech and @TheCoolSub.