Oregon State @ California preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 30, 2010 ) California 7, Oregon State 35

THE STORY: California isn’t just looking to become bowl eligible when the Golden Bears host Oregon State. They are also trying to snap a four-game losing streak to the Beavers. California needs one win in its final three games to become bowl eligible for the eighth time in the last nine seasons. Oregon State’s run game has been nonexistent, and the Beavers could also have trouble in the air against the Pac-12’s top pass defense.

TV: CSN, Root Sports. LINE: California -8.5.

ABOUT OREGON STATE (2-7, 2-4 Pac-12 North): The Beavers were eliminated from the postseason after last week's 38-13 loss to Stanford, but coach Mike Riley doesn’t plan on sitting his veteran players. Redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Mannion has thrown for 200 or more yards in eight consecutive games, but he also leads the Pac-12 with 13 interceptions. After gaining 33 yards against the Cardinal, the Beavers fell to 113th nationally in rushing at 94.6 yards. Middle linebacker Feti Unga (knee) and center Grant Johnson (ankle) are likely to miss the game. The Beavers are tied for last in the conference in turnover margin.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA (5-4, 2-4): Tailback Isi Sofele needs 161 yards over the final three games to reach the 1,000-yard mark. He rushed for a career-high 138 yards on 23 carries in last week’s 30-7 victory over Washington State. Sofele could have another big game against the Beavers, who rank 10th in the Pac-12 in run defense. California receiver Keenan Allen took nine games to reach 1,000 yards receiving, the fastest of any receiver in school history. Quarterback Zach Maynard’s starting job was in jeopardy before his solid effort against Washington State last week.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. California leads the series 33-30-0, but Oregon State has won 10 of the last 12 meetings, including the last five on the road.

2. Beavers senior receiver James Rodgers has 212 career receptions, and is eight shy of the school record set by Mike Hass in 2005.

3. Washington State coach Paul Wulff said California is “the best-looking football team that I have seen in this conference, period. They probably have the best talent, top to bottom.”

PREDICTION: California 20, Oregon State 12 - It won’t be pretty, but California should be able to grind out the win on a rainy day in San Francisco.