GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Cal’s defense, with two weeks rest, and can unleash linebackers Evan Weaver and Jordan Kunaszyk, defensive end Luc Bequette and cornerback Camryn Bynum. Colorado, despite scoring just 14 points combined in the past two weeks, has a balanced offense. If the Golden Bears can stop the run, as they’ve learned to do under coach Justin Wilcox, the Buffaloes may struggle to stay within striking distance. It’s no surprise that Wilcox has brought a tough defense to Cal, as one of his Wisconsin teams when he was defensive coordinator allowed fewer than 100 rushing yards per game.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Evan Weaver has shot up draft charts for his dominant play on the Cal defense. Weaver’s father, Todd Weaver, recently spoke to the CBS station in Spokane, Wash., where Weaver played high school ball about his son’s ascension. “I don’t expect anything less. That’s what he’s told us since the first grade. I don’t doubt that child,” Todd Weaver said of Evan’s NFL aspirations. “I remember watching the first game when he was (on varsity). … He didn’t start. He played the second series and never sat out again. So to think about the NFL is pretty crazy.” Weaver had a game-high 13 tackles with two sacks against USC.
ROSTER REPORT
–WR Brandon Singleton is questionable for the Colorado game with an undisclosed injury.
–OL Henry Bazakas is questionable for the Colorado game with a lower-body injury.
–QB Ross Bowers is questionable for the Colorado game with a thumb injury.
–DE Rusty Becker is questionable for the Colorado game with a lower-body injury.
–WR Kanawai Noa is questionable for the Colorado game with an undisclosed injury.
–LB Cameron Goode is out for the season with a leg injury.
–RB Derrick Clark is out for the season with a lower-body injury.
–RB Johnny Adams Jr. is out for the season with a lower-body injury.
–LB Gerran Brown is out for the season with a lower-body injury.
–WR Jordan Duncan is out indefinitely with a hand injury.
–OL Michael Saffell is out for the season with a leg injury.
–LB Derron Brown is medically retired due to a lower-body injury.
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