Cal running back Isi Sofele could steal the show on Saturday -- if he gets the ball. The Bears' leading rusher in 2011 only carried the ball five times against Nevada. (US Presswire) |
Southern Utah (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky) at Cal (0-1, 0-0 Pac-12)
Kickoff: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network)
Spread: No line.
Watchability: If you're a California Golden Bears fan who wants to witness the team's first win in the new Memorial Stadium, you'll probably want to watch. Everyone else, you probably won't.
Shining Stars: Cal: QB Zach Maynard. After being suspended for the first three series of the opener, Maynard could use a big game against Southern Utah. If Maynard's the shining star for the Bears on Saturday, it will give the fans, the coaching staff and his teammates confidence in him heading into Cal's huge Week 3 game at Ohio State. Southern Utah: QB Brad Sorensen. After being torched by Nevada QB Cody Fajardo for 342 total yards last week, the Bears' defense would be smart not to let BYU-transfer Sorensen get going. He's an FCS QB with an FBS arm. Sorensen has thrown for more than 3,000 yards in each of his two years as the Thunderbirds' starting QB. Sorensen was the Great West offensive player of the year in 2011.
Who could steal the show: Cal: RB Isi Sofele. Sofele, the team's leading rusher in 2011, was left out of the game plan last week against Nevada with just five carries for 21 yards. If the senior gets more touches against Southern Utah, you can bet he'll take advantage of them. Southern Utah: WR Fatu Moala. If Sorensen gets hot Saturday, it's because he's found someone to throw too. With five catches against Utah State, Moala was Sorensen's favorite target last week.
You going? Ranking the road trip: Fans in Berkeley might be a little bummed out after last week's loss to Nevada, so Saturday's game against Southern Utah probably isn't one you want to attend. But if you do find yourself at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, make sure to check out Top Dog, a Berkeley hot dog institution.
Magic number for Cal: 43.2. Cal has faced an FCS team five times in program history. The Bears are 5-0 in those games and have won them by an average of 43.2 points.
Magic number for Southern Utah: 0. Saturday's game in Berkeley will mark the first time that Southern Utah has faced a Pac-12 team.
The game comes down to: Redemption. After being shocked by Nevada last week, the Bears will be out to redeem themselves against Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds lost to Utah State 34-3 last week. Southern Utah shouldn't be a problem for the Bears, but after last week's loss to Nevada, Cal fans can't take anything for granted.
Prediction: Cal 41, Southern Utah 10
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