California @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 28, 2011 ) California 10, Texas 21

Redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard provided the Texas offense with a much-needed spark in his debut as the starting quarterback last week, and the Longhorns hope he can be that once again when they host California on Saturday. The Golden Bears are the last remaining unbeaten in the Pac-12 North after Oregon and Oregon State lost last week.

Heard didn't know he would be starting the home opener against Rice until just before the game, but it was a decision coach Charlie Strong knew he had to make with his offense struggling. "When your quarterback has juice, your team is going to have juice," Strong told reporters. "And he has a lot of it." Heard threw for two scores and rushed for 96 yards in a the 48-28 victory, snapping a three-game losing streak dating back to last season for the Longhorns. California also got a win at home last week as Heisman trophy contender Jared Goff threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-7 rout of San Diego State.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: California -6.5

ABOUT CALIFORNIA (2-0): Goff passed for more than 300 yards for the second straight game, bringing his career total to 8,111 yards - 16 yards shy of the school passing record held by Troy Taylor. Coach Sonny Dykes is aware of Texas' change at quarterback and the challenges Heard brings on defense. "They made the switch to Heard; he's a dynamic playmaker. Very fast in the open field," Dykes told reporters. "You have to do a good job keeping lanes, pursuing, maintaining leverage."

ABOUT TEXAS (1-1): Strong stressed the importance of getting the running game going against California during a Monday news conference. "You have to be able to run the ball,” Strong told reporters. “The thing about Cal is their defense has improved, but they’ve given up a lot of points on defense. So what we need to do is we need to control the ball." The Golden Bears defense has improved by leaps and bounds, especially against the pass where they are tied for most interceptions in the FBS with six.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Longhorns lead the series 5-0, including a 21-10 victory in the 2011 Holiday Bowl.

2. The Golden Bears have the nation's fourth-ranked passing offense at 396 yards per game.

3. California RB Daniel Lasco (hip) is expected to play. Lasco was the team's leading rusher in 2014 with 1,115 yards.

PREDICTION: California 31, Texas 21