California @ BYU preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 29, 2014 ) Brigham Young 42, California 35

California’s starting quarterback remains a mystery heading into Saturday’s matchup at BYU, which finished 4-9 last season but recorded an impressive 28-23 win at Arizona last week. Cal coach Justin Wilcox rotated three players at quarterback in the Bears’ season-opening 24-17 victory over North Carolina and said all three could see time again Saturday.

Junior Ross Bowers started against the Tar Heels and was 8-for-17 for 56 yards but didn’t play in the second half as Wilcox went with redshirt freshman Chase Garbers and transfer Brandon McIlwain. While the Bears were limited to 119 passing yards, senior running back Patrick Laird picked up where he left off last season and scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown for the first time in his career, finishing with 95 yards rushing on 29 carries. Laird figures to be tested by BYU, which controlled the line of scrimmage against Arizona and held dual-threat quarterback Khalil Tate to 14 yards rushing on eight carries. Squally Canada scored on three short runs while quarterback Tanner Mangum threw for 209 yards and a TD on 18-of-28 passing.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: BYU -3

ABOUT CAL (1-0): The Bears’ defense was much improved last season and took another step forward last Saturday with four interceptions – including two by safety Jaylinn Hawkins. Outside linebacker Cameron Goode, who started nine games last season before suffering a season-ending injury, returned an interception for a TD against the Tar Heels but left the contest in the fourth quarter with a leg injury and is expected to miss at least one game. Goode is part of a stellar group of linebackers that includes Alex Funches and Evan Weaver, who had 13 solo tackles in the opener.

ABOUT BYU (1-0): Canada finished with 98 yards on 24 carries for the Cougars, whose defense held Arizona to 129 yards on the ground after the Wildcats were No. 3 nationally last season with more than 300 per game. The explosive Arizona offense was held to just two plays of 20 yards or more thanks to a BYU defense led by seniors Butch Pau'u and Corbin Kaufusi, who both recorded seven solo tackles. The Cougars did not allow a sack in the victory and allowed Mangum to connect with 10 different receivers, including tight end Matt Bushman, who had a 24-yard touchdown reception.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The teams are meeting for the first time since Nov. 29, 2014, when BYU won 42-35 in Berkeley.

2. BYU is 7-3 in home openers over the past 10 seasons – including wins over Texas, Washington State and Washington.

3. Cal is 6-0 against non-conference Power Five opponents since 2014.

PREDICTION: BYU 24, Cal 17