GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: With Cal’s confidence skyrocketing, and its defense proving its might every week, a different opponent than Stanford may be quaking in its name-brand cleats. But the Cardinal’s passing offense is strong with quarterback K.J. Costello at the helm. This will be a proving ground to find out whether Costello and the resurgent Cardinal aerial attack, or the rejuvenated Cal defense is superior. If Cal can frustrate Costello and force him into bad decisions, putting more pressure on tailback Bryce Love, the tide might turn to the Golden Bears — who are seeking their first win in the series since 2009.
DRAFT SLANT
–WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior, playing in a pro-style offense and thriving — with 55 catches for 860 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Arcega-Whiteside’s NFL stock has been rising throughout the season as he’s proven to be one of the best red zone targets in the country. Most recently, Arcega-Whiteside has been ranked No. 7 by NFLDraftScout.com. “There’s not a lot of wideouts that I’ve come across that have his knack and ability to position themselves properly countless, countless times in between the corner, outside the corner, sometimes slipping inside but still playing wide away from the safety,” QB K.J. Costello said of Arcega-Whiteside in August. “He’s a basketball player; he’s taking the ball off the rim.”
ROSTER REPORT
–CB Alijah Holder is out for the first half of the Cal game for a targeting suspension.
–LB Andrew Pryts is questionable for the Cal game with a knee injury.
–LB Casey Toohill is questionable for the Cal game with an undisclosed injury.
–OL Devery Hamilton is questionable for the Cal game with an undisclosed injury.
–C Drew Dalman is questionable for the Cal game with an undisclosed injury.
–LB Mustafa Branch is questionable for the Cal game with an undisclosed injury.
–OL Nate Herbig is questionable for the Cal game with an undisclosed injury.
–RB Trevor Speights is questionable for the Cal game with an undisclosed injury.
–QB Davis Mills is out indefinitely with an undisclosed injury.
–S Ben Edwards is out indefinitely with an undisclosed injury.
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