PAUL SAKUMA / AP
Cal quarterback Joe Ayoob likely will get some help on offense from a top-notch line and running game.
At stake
This is the first conference game for both teams, and since there are no other Pac-10 matchups until Sept. 24, the winner will be alone atop the standings for a while. Washington is looking to break a seven-game losing streak and get the first win of the Tyrone Willingham regime.
What to expect
With Cal starting a new quarterback in Joe Ayoob, it will likely try to take the pressure off him by handing it to Marshawn Lynch and letting him run behind a mammoth offensive line. But the Bears are sure to test UW's short-handed secondary as well. Don't be surprised if Cal throws in a trick play or two. Expect the Huskies to open it up a bit more against a Cal defense that likes to play aggressively.
Notes
Cal has won the teams' past three games after Washington won 19 straight from 1977 to 2001. Coach Jeff Tedford is 3-0 against UW, while Willingham is 7-0 against Cal, all while he was at Stanford. ... Cal has outscored UW 96-19 the past two years. ... Cal has been a second-half team of late — the Bears outscored foes 227-67 in the second half last year, and outscored Sacramento State 31-0 in the second half last week in a 41-3 win. ... Kenny James is back, but Louis Rankin is expected to start at tailback after getting 112 yards last week. ... UW threw for 328 yards against Cal last season, the only time it topped 300 yards.
UW — DT Jordan White-Frisbee (foot), TE Dash Crutchley (foot), OT Joe Toledo (ankle), DE Brandon Ala (knee), QB Carl Bonnell (leg), LB Trenton Tuiasosopo (head), DT Dan Milsten (ankle) and WR Quintin Daniels (foot) out; SS C.J. Wallace (concussion), RB Kenny James (shoulder), CB Roy Lewis (arm) all probable. Cal — QB Nate Longshore (ankle) and WR Noah Smith (ankle) out; LB Worrell Williams (ankle) questionable.
Prediction
This feels like a game Washington almost has to win if it is to record a winning season. And the Huskies will feel more comfortable playing a more traditional team such as Cal than Air Force a week ago, which could mean they play better. Cal also has quarterback questions. That said, Cal has a great offensive line and running game and a team full of players who know how to win games. Cal 28, UW 24
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