California @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 22, 2011 ) Utah 10, California 34

California and Utah are clinging to their bowl hopes when they meet Saturday in a Pac-12 Conference game in Salt Lake City. The Utes have lost four in a row and sit 0-4 in the Pac-12 for the second consecutive season. The Golden Bears are coming off a 21-3 loss to Stanford in which they rushed for only three yards on 28 chanches and lost two fumbles against the No. 4 rushing defense in the country. Next, they’ll encounter a Utah run defense, led by defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, ranked 22nd, and has forced a nation-leading 13 fumbles, returning three for touchdowns.

TV: 9:45 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Utah -1

ABOUT CALIFORNIA (3-5, 2-3 Pac-12): Cal has allowed a nation-leading 33 sacks and is last in the country in plays that have resulted in negative yardage (67). The Golden Bears have also struggled to punch the ball in the end zone once they’ve reached the red zone, ranking 112th in that category. Getting the ball in the hands of big-play running back Brendan Bigelow would help. He’s averaging 11.1 yards per carry and 15.4 yards per catch.

ABOUT UTAH (2-5, 0-4): Jake Murphy is on track to accomplish something no other tight end has done in 23 years at Utah - lead the team in receiving. The 6-foot-4, 252-pound sophomore has caught 22 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns, emerging as the go-to receiver for freshman quarterback Travis Wilson, who will likely start his third straight game Saturday. Murphy had five receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown as a redshirt freshman last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Utah needs to win four of its last five games to become bowl-eligible for the 10th straight season.

2. Cal linebackers Jalen Jefferson (concussion), Brennan Scarlett (hand), Chris McCain (ankle) and defensive lineman Viliami Moala (ankle) are questionable.

3. Cal was 1-of-14 on third downs against Stanford and gained only 34 yards on 20 first-down plays.

PREDICTION: Utah 21, California 16