GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: QB Chase Garbers is facing the toughest test of his young career. Oregon is ranked No. 19 in the nation and nearly knocked off a Top 10 team in Stanford last week. Yet, the Ducks defense allowed 327 passing yards and three touchdowns to Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello, so there is room for optimism for Garbers and running quarterback Brandon McIlwain. If Garbers can maintain his composure in a big game, and tailback Patrick Laird provides a backbone that can sustain drives, Cal has a chance to open 4-0.
DRAFT SLANT
–CB Camryn Bynum has become an under-the-radar name who could surprise folks in the Pac-12 and put his name on NFL Draft charts. Bynum appears to be committed to his physical fitness throughout the season, like in a video that surfaced last spring break of a vigorous workout. “My mentality is: ‘Why stop doing what got me good?’” Bynum said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. “…It gives me a lot of confidence knowing that I put in more time than any of my opponents. I know my opponent hasn’t put in more work, so when we go against each other, I know I already have the edge.” Bynum is a 6-0, 180-pound sophomore from Southern California prep power Corona-Centennial. Bynum had two tackles against Idaho State.
ROSTER REPORT
–WR Kanawai Noa is questionable for the Oregon game with an undisclosed injury.
–LB Cameron Goode is out for the season with a leg injury.
–RB Johnny Adams Jr. is out for the season with a lower-body injury.
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