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USC vs. Cal fearless prediction and game preview.
USC vs. Cal Broadcast
Date: Saturday, November 16
Game Time: 11:00 ET
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Network: FS1
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USC (6-4) vs. Cal (5-4) Game Preview
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Why USC Will Win
Yeah, Cal might have showed up large against Washington State in a 33-20 win last week, but the USC defense is a different animal to deal with. It’s not a killer, and it’s not Utah’s, but it’s better than Wazzu’s.
Before last week’s performance, the Bears went four straight games without coming up with 300 total yards, and it was the first time all season the O scored more than 28 points.
USC’s defensive front hasn’t allowed more than 200 rushing yards in the last four games and has stiffened up a bit since getting hammered by Notre Dame.
Cal’s running game doesn’t have the offensive front to generate a consistent push, and the passing attack isn’t strong enough to take advantage of a leaky Trojan secondary.
USC has to get up early. The Cal defense might be fantastic, but it’s possible to throw on this group. Washington State went Washington State for over 400 yards through the air on a defense that’s allowed 200 passing yards or more five times in seven games. USC’s Kedon Slovis should be able to throw for enough to keep things moving, but …
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Why Cal Will Win
It that going to be the Devon Modster that showed up against the Cougars?
The Bear quarterback struggled after taking over for an injured Chase Garbers, missed the Utah game hurt, and came out roaring in the win with a 230-yard, three-touchdown day with 32 yards and a touchdown. For an offense that’s needed a sign of life, he was it.
Or, could Garbers really be back?
He’s practicing and might be able to give it a go. Either way, the Bears have quarterbacks they can rely on. All they have to do is be good, and hope the D is great.
It’s been a bit of a rocky run over the last few weeks having to deal with Oregon, Utah and Washington State, but the Cal defense has still been good enough to keep the team in the tough games. It got smacked by Utah, but only gave up 17 points to Oregon and only allowed more than 24 points once all year – the 35-0 loss to the Utes.
Led by soon-to-be all-everything LB Evan Weaver, the defensive front has been fantastic against the run all season long, and there should be just enough plays behind the line to keep USC from being comfortable.
Cal will bring a steady pass rush all game long, and expect next to nothing from a middling Trojan ground attack.
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What’s Going To Happen
USC isn’t the same team on the road. It’s been better lately – it got wins over Colorado and Arizona State – but both recent games have been battles.
It’s Cal’s final home game of the year – it goes down the road to face Stanford next week – and it needs one more win to get bowl eligible. The defense will crank up the intensity enough to keep it close, but the offense won’t be able to come through in the fourth quarter when it has its opportunities.
USC vs. Cal Prediction, Line
USC 27, Cal 23
Bet on USC vs. Cal with BetMGM, or for latest line
USC -6.5, o/u: 47.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
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Must See Rating: 3
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