[tps_title]Oregon State at California[/tps_title]
[tps_header]7:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks[/tps_header]
OREGON STATE (2-7, 0-5) AT
CAL (5-4, 2-4)
7:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Pointspread: Cal is favored by 21.5 points
— The Golden Bears have gone from a 17.5-point favorite to 21.5.
— With only three games left heading into Saturday night’s matchup with Oregon State, the Golden Bears need just one win to secure a spot in the postseason. That’s the same scenario coach Sonny Dykes’ team has been in for more than a month, only now the stakes are getting higher as the calendar winds down.
— A once-promising 5-0 start has been muffled by four consecutive losses that have threatened to wipe out Cal’s hopes of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2011.
— Although Oregon State is riding a six-game losing streak, the Beavers have historically played well on the road against the Bears. Cal hasn’t beaten Oregon State at Memorial Stadium since 1997. The Bears defeated the Beavers in a home game that was played at San Francisco’s AT&T Park in 2011 but have dropped six straight in Berkeley to their conference rival.
— After playing Oregon State, Cal travels to face No. 7 Stanford then closes out the regular season at home against an ASU team that is also holding onto slim bowl hopes. The Bears will have to beat at least one of their remaining three opponents to get into the bowl picture.
— Oregon State quarterback Nick Mitchell fumbled once and threw three interceptions which led to 20 points for UCLA but first-year Beavers coach Gary Andersen said he is sticking with the redshirt freshman while starter Seth Collins continues to rest his injured left knee.
— One of the reasons Jared Goff is so high on the radar of pro scouts – he’s a projected first-round pick if he decides to forgo his senior year – is because of his ability to read defenses and his passing accuracy. Goff has also done a phenomenal job of spreading the ball around. Sixteen different Cal players have caught at least one pass from Goff. Six players have 20 or more receptions, with three having 30 or more.
— Cal blocked two punts in last week ‘s loss to Oregon, marking the first time since 2003 that the Bears had two in one game. Hamilton Anoa’i, who blocked one of the punts and returned the other, was named conference special teams player of the week.
— Oregon State didn’t go down quietly in its 41-0 loss to No. 18 UCLA last week. According to several Bruins, including quarterback Josh Rosen, the Beavers were barking out signals and cadences at the line of scrimmage in order to disrupt UCLA’s offense.
Oregon State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Oregon State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oregon State’s last 5 games
Oregon State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
California is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
California is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of California’s last 5 games
California is 5-16 ATS in its last 21 games at home
My pick: Cal will win but Oregon State will cover
Steve Rivera’s pick: Cal will win and cover
Anthony Gimino’s pick: Cal will win and cover
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