OREGON STATE at CAL
Records: Cal 2-5 overall, 1-3 in the Pac-12; Oregon State 5-2, 3-1
Kickoff: 4 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium, Berkeley
TV: Pac-12 Network
Radio: KGO (810 AM)
Series history: Cal leads 38-35. The Beavers won the past two seasons, including 31-27 last year in Corvallis, Oregon. Cal’s most recent victory was a 49-7 verdict at Corvallis in 2018.
Cal storylines: Coming off a 26-3 win over Colorado, their first victories over a Pac-12 or FBS opponent this season, the Bears must win four of their final five games to become eligible. . . . The Bears held Colorado to 13 yards and one first down in the second half . . . OLB Kuony Deng will miss his sixth straight game with an undisclosed lower-body injury, although coach Justin Wilcox said this week he has not been ruled out for the season. Reserve RB DeCarlos Brooks, sidelined the past two weeks, will be a game-time decision.
Oregon State storylines: The Beavers can become bowl eligible for the first time since 2013 with a win over Cal. In their history, they have achieved bowl eligibility in the month of October just three times . . . A win over the Bears could also vault Oregon State into the AP top 25 for the first time since 2014 . . . OSU is coming off a 42-34 come-from-behind win over Utah . . . That victory helped the program win three Pac-12 player of the week awards for the first time since 2006. The winners: Running back B.J. Baylor (offense, twice), Luke Musgrave (special teams) . . . Cornerback Jaydon Grant will sit out the first half today after being flagged for targeting against Utah . . . Starting safety Alton Julien is out for the season with a knee injury he sustained last week.
Stats that matter: Cal may need to generate 30 points today to have a chance. The Beavers are averaging 34.5 points in four Pac-12 games while Cal is producing just 18.3 points in conference play . . . OSU two-way player Jack Colletto is just the 16th FBS player since 1996 to score a touchdown rushing, receiving and on an interception return.
Source: www.mercurynews.com