Former Pac-12 rivals Oregon State and California to meet in non-conference play
Oregon State (4-3) at California (3-4), Saturday at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
College Football Odds: Cal by 10.
Series record: Cal leads 39-37.
What's at stake?
The former Pac-12 rivals meet for the first time in a nonconference game since 1960, when Oregon State was an independent. Both teams could use a boost to get to bowl eligibility, with California having lost four straight games and the Beavers dropping two in a row.
Key matchup
Oregon State RB Anthony Hankerson vs. Cal run defense. Hankerson is tied for fourth nationally with 13 rushing touchdowns and is averaging 100 yards rushing per game. The Golden Bears rank 19th allowing 104.6 yards rushing per game and giving up only nine rushing TDs.
Players to watch
Oregon State: WR Trent Walker. The Beavers' top threat in the passing game has 46 catches for 468 yards on the season. He has 23 catches in his last three games, ranking third most in the nation in that span.
Cal: TE Jack Endries. The freshman has 20 catches for 298 yards and two TDs the past three games. Overall, he leads the Bears with 28 catches for 366 yards on the season.
Facts & figures
Oregon State has won four of the last five games in the series. ... This marks the 30th straight season the schools have faced each other. ... Oregon State leads the nation in average time of possession at 35:29 per game. ... Beavers P Josh Green has had 10 of his 19 punts travel at least 50 yards. He has pinned the opponent inside the 20 nine times. ... Cal has been outscored by nine points during its four-game skid. ... The Bears have missed an FBS-worst eight field goals, including potential game-winners the past two weeks. ... Cal has just five turnovers this season after committing the fourth most turnovers last season with 28. ... Cal's defense ranks second nationally with 13 INTs on the season.
------
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
