California (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12) at No. 6 Washington (5-0, 2-0), Saturday, 10:45 p.m. ET (ESPN) Line: Washington by 27 ½. Series record: Washington leads 54-39-4. WHAT’S AT STAKE Washington continues to wade through the shallow end of its schedule. The
California (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12) at No. 6 Washington (5-0, 2-0), Saturday, 10:45 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Line: Washington by 27 ½.
Series record: Washington leads 54-39-4.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Washington continues to wade through the shallow end of its schedule. The Huskies have yet to be challenged into the fourth quarter and it’s expected that will be the case for another week. After a strong start California has descended from its lofty beginning with consecutive losses to Southern California and Oregon. The brutal stretch doesn’t get much easier for the Bears next week with improved Washington State coming to Berkeley.
KEY MATCHUP
California coach Justin Wilcox vs. Washington coach Chris Petersen. Wilcox and Petersen know each other quite well. Wilcox was Petersen’s defensive coordinator for four seasons at Boise State. Both have evolved in the years since, but each knows how the other likes to operate. Who can come up with something different.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
California: QB Ross Bowers. The sophomore is a native of nearby Bothell, Washington, and will be playing in front of family and friends for the first time. Bowers had a great start to the season but has been prone to mistakes the last couple of weeks as the competition improved. Bowers threw four interceptions against USC and last week against Oregon was sacked seven times.
Washington: TE Hunter Bryant. The true freshman is earning a more prominent role in the Huskies offensive plans. After having just two catches through two games, Bryant has eight receptions for 168 yards in the past three games combined. The Huskies are finding more ways to use Bryant’s athletic 6-foot-2 frame in the passing game.
FACTS & FIGURES
Washington has started 5-0 in consecutive years for the first time since 1991-92. … Wilcox was Washington’s defensive coordinator from 2012-13. … Cal LB Devante Downs, a Seattle-area native, leads the Pac-12 in tackles at 10.8 per game. … Washington hasn’t allowed an opponent to score 30 points in the past 19 games. … California offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin was previously the head coach at Central Washington and Eastern Washington, and Bears’ QB coach Marques Tuiasosopo was a star quarterback at Washington from 1997-2000.
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