California @ Arizona State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Arizona State 17, California 50

THE STORY: Arizona State once appeared destined to represent the Pac-12 South in the conference title game, but a three-game losing streak and Utah's shocking 17-14 loss to Colorado on Friday ended all hope. The Sun Devils host California on Friday in a game that suddenly has little meaning because both teams are already bowl-eligible. Once the Utes lost, UCLA became South champion regardless of how it does against USC on Saturday. If Arizona State and UCLA finish tied in the South at 5-4, the Bruins win the division based on their 29-28 victory over the Sun Devils on Nov. 5.

TV: ESPN. LINE: Arizona State -6

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (6-5, 4-4 Pac-12 South): The Sun Devils are 5-1 at home after losing to Arizona last Saturday. Junior running back Cameron Marshall has rushed for a Pac-12 high 16 touchdowns and is two behind the school record shared by Woody Green (1972) and Terry Battle (1996). Sophomore quarterback Brock Osweiler is coming off a 487-yard outing that ranks fifth-highest in Arizona State history. Osweiler has passed for 3,377 yards, second-most in school history behind Andrew Walter (3,877 in 2002). Osweiler has 21 touchdown passes against 10 interceptions. Senior receiver Gerrell Robinson has 61 receptions for 1,100 yards. The Sun Devils have allowed 97 points during their three-game skid.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12 North): The Golden Bears have an impressive duo of receivers in sophomore Keenan Allen and senior Marvin Jones. Allen is having one of the top seasons in Cal history with 84 catches for 1,200 yards. The receptions are third most in school history and the yardage ranks second most behind Geoff McArthur (1,504 yards in 2003). Jones has at least one catch in 36 consecutive games and ranks eighth in school history with 143 receptions. He has 49 catches for 704 yards this season. Junior quarterback Zach Maynard has thrown for 2,565 yards and 16 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Senior linebacker Mychal Kendricks leads the Bears in tackles (88) and tackles for loss (11).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cal leads the series 16-14 and has won seven of the last eight meetings.

2. The Golden Bears are just 1-4 on the road and have allowed 31 or more points in each game.

3. Arizona State has forced 28 turnovers and its plus-11 turnover margin is tops in the Pac-12.

PREDICTION: California 34, Arizona State 31 – The Golden Bears continue their dominance in the series over the suddenly-deflated Sun Devils.