Oregon Ducks vs. Cal Golden Bears: Game preview, odds, time, TV channel, how to watch live stream online
No. 8 Oregon Ducks (6-1, 4-0 Pac-12) vs. Cal Golden Bears (3-4, 1-3)
When: 12:30 p.m. PT Saturday, Oct. 29
Where: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Calif.
Coaches: Dan Lanning, first year (6-1); Justin Wilcox, 6th year (29-32 overall)
Latest line: Oregon by 17.5
TV channel: FS1
On air: Radio on 1080 “The Fan” in Portland, KUGN-AM 590 in Eugene
How to watch live stream online: You can watch this game live for FREE with fuboTV (free trial). You can also get this game on Sling TV (promotional offers) if you are out of fuboTV trials, or simply prefer those platforms and their pricing plans. You can also watch this game live on FOX Sports Live with your cable or satellite provider login information.
What’s at stake: Oregon can maintain its one-game lead in the Pac-12 standings for another week and enter November and the opening College Football Playoff rankings in the top 10. There’s much more from a statistical standpoint for the Ducks to achieve, including third down defense, pass defense, linebackers in coverage, pass rush and special teams.
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) APAP
Oregon offense vs. Cal defense
The Ducks are coming off a massive output against UCLA and can only look to maintain their level of production, efficiency and scoring over the next two weeks. Bo Nix is working his way into Heisman Trophy consideration and can bolster his case by padding stats against bad teams. Bucky Irving and Troy Franklin are reach coming off big games as well and can show consistency by stringing together a series of 100-yard games. Cal’s defense has minimal talent and its statistics have regressed, but Justin Wilcox always have a fundamentally sound group that plays better against Oregon.
California quarterback Jack Plummer throws a 16-yard touchdown against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)AP
Oregon defense vs. Cal offense
The Golden Bears continue to be one of the less productive offenses in the Pac-12. Jack Plummer is a prototypical pocket passer and Cal is having a hard time keeping him upright. Oregon has struggled to generate pass rush and if DJ Johnson, who missed Wednesday’s practice, and Taki Taimani, who missed Tuesday and Wednesday, don’t play then the Ducks will need their depth to prove itself. Cal’s most explosive weapons are freshmen Jaydn Ott and J. Michael Sturdivant. Oregon should have more than enough of an advantage to show marked improvement.
Did you know?
- There have only been six 300-yard passing games by Oregon in the all-time series, with three since 2012
California running back Jaydn Ott (6) carries against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)AP
Matchup to watch: Oregon’s linebackers vs. Cal’s Jaydn Ott
Ducks linebackers have not fared well in pass coverage all season and especially last week against UCLA. Ott is a threat in the running game and passing game and athletic enough to win in the open field.
They said it: “We got to get better at that. Things don’t ever happen quite in a game like they happen on the field. So if you’re anticipating the ball being out a little bit earlier because of how it showed up in practice, you got to count on that to be the case in the game. And that’s not really what’s showing up. So there’s some plays where you’re thinking the ball will be delivered quicker, and there’s a chance somebody will be down the field but the ball be out in time. We got to know at quarterback when that’s a possibility. And then we have to know on the offensive lineman when that’s a possibility, but we can coach that better and we’re working on that.” — Oregon coach Dan Lanning on ineligible man downfield penalties
Key stat:
Cal is allowing 438 yards per game in Pac-12 play, its most since 2016. Oregon has won 10 straight conference games when topping 400 yards.
Prediction: Oregon 42, Cal 21
Pregame reading
Will Oregon Ducks linebacker corps improve pass coverage against Cal?
Can Oregon Ducks continue progressing on third down defense against Cal?
Oregon Ducks right tackle Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu becoming a wrecking ball as pulling blocker
Oregon Ducks practice observations: Offensive lineman Stevens Jones progressing in recovery
What Dan Lanning said about Oregon’s win over UCLA, trip to Cal
Will Oregon Ducks improve to 8-0 all-time as top 10 team against Cal?: Sneak peek
