Cal Football vs. USC: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Betting Odds, Preview
The Cal Golden Bears (1-8) are set to host the USC Trojans (6-3) today.
Oct 19, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) prepares to throw the ball against the Oregon State Beavers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Last weekend, the Golden Bears nearly upset Pac-12 South Division contender, Arizona. But the game ended up in Arizona’s win column and Cal was once again left without a Pac-12 win. They will take on a hot USC team, which took down the tough Oregon State Beavers last week. I think this game has the smell of an upset. See why:
Location: Memorial Stadium (Berkeley, CA)
Television: Fox
Radio: KALX 90.7 FM
Kickoff Time: 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET
Odds: USC, -17
Wether: 60 Degrees, Windy, Mostly Sunny
Preview: The Cal Golden Bears have lost nine straight to Southern Cal. Last year, Cal was routed 27-9 to a very mediocre Trojan squad that was led by Marqise Lee and Silas Redd, two men who have vastly underperformed this year. When it comes down to it, USC is favored because of their name recognition. The squad itself, while having talent, has been a big disappointment this season. So much so, the Trojans are in a position where they need to win today in order to keep pace with Arizona State, Arizona and UCLA.
I know that the biggest disappointment for USC this season has been the impotent offense. The team is 85th in the nation in scoring. They are so bad, that even bad defenses this season have looked to have top-10 kind of talent. I know that they can burst and any time, and I could see them doing that against Cal, but to this point they look really bad.
Cal has a great offense. We know this. A bit one-dimensional, but great. Jared Goff is making strides, and I think that in spite of not having a good run game to back him up, this will end up being his signature game. Why? Because, he won’t have to play from behind, because USC isn’t going to be scoring at the thunderous pace that other teams have against Cal this year. I expect the Cal defense to play a decent game; USC is a team that will get the opposing team excited and will bring the best out of them. The Golden Bears just have to have a decent outing on defense and an on-par offensive showing to win this game.
USC isn’t terrible, but I think they’ll come in cocky and think they can just show up to beat Cal. The Trojans will be in for a rude awakening if they think the Bears (coming off their best game of the year and still looking for their first Pac-12 win) are going to not push them to the limits, they have another thing coming.
Prediction: Cal 27, USC 23