Saturday, December 05, 2009

Seattle Times: Cal vs. Washington Preview

California (8-3); Washington (4-7)

Time: 3:30 p.m. at Husky Stadium

TV: FSN Radio: KJR 950

The line: Bears by 7

At stake: California is playing for a berth in the Sun Bowl — with a loss it likely falls to the Emerald Bowl. Huskies have no postseason hopes but could become just the 11th team since 1946 to win as many as five games in a season a year after going winless. Four Pac-10 wins would also be the most since 2003.

What to expect: Probably lots of running from the Bears, who average 184.4 rushing yards per game while UW is ninth in the conference against the run. UW QB Jake Locker ran as much last week as he has all season and may do that again today as the Huskies will likely have to score quite a few points to keep up with the Bears, who average 31.0 per game. UW will also try to test a Cal pass defense that has proved vulnerable at times.

Notes: UW leads the all-time series 47-38-4, but Cal has won six of the last seven, all since Jeff Tedford became the coach of the Bears in 2002. Cal beat UW last year in Berkeley, 48-7, but the Huskies won the last game in Seattle in 2007, 37-23.

Injuries: UW — LB E.J.Savannah (hand) and C Ryan Tolar (head) are out; DT Cameron Elisara (shoulder) is questionable, S Victor Aiyewa (concussion) and RB Chris Polk (shoulder) expected to play.

Cal: TB Jahvid Best (concussion) and LG Matt Summers-Gavin (concussion) are out; CB Syd'Quan Thompson (sprained ankle) is probable.

Prediction: Cal's edges on the lines should make the difference. Cal 35-27.

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