Sacramento Bee: The big game: Five things to watch

1. The quarterback question: The Bears slotted junior Steve Levy to start over junior-college transfer Joe Ayoob, the starter for nine games who threw seven interceptions with no touchdown passes in the past two. Trent Edwards looks to start his first Big Game for the Cardinal, despite injuring his left (nonthrowing) hand last week.

2. Who has momentum? Stanford is coming off a grueling victory at Oregon State and needs Edwards and receiver Mark Bradford to be in full health to continue its push. Cal, loser of four of its past five, hopes starting Levy over Ayoob will add a much-needed spark.

3. Stop Lynch: Tailback Marshawn Lynch ran all over the Cardinal last year, rushing for 122 yards on only nine carries, including a 55-yard scoring run. Can Stanford stop him this year? With Lynch at the helm, Cal's rushing offense ranks ninth in the nation.

4. The coaches: The Bears have won three straight Big Games under coach Jeff Tedford. Will Walt Harris, a former Cal assistant now in his first year leading the Cardinal, sweep away the memory of Buddy Teevens and bring The Axe back to Stanford?

5. Season on the line: With No. 6 Notre Dame looming next week, Cal is Stanford's best bet for its sixth victory of the year and its chance at going to a bowl game. The Bears, with their postseason eligibility already safe, need a win to save a season that began with great expectations and five straight wins.