University Southern California Trojans
2019 Game 11: USC vs. Cal
November 15, 2019 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans have won seven straight games in Berkeley.
USC Trojans (6-4, 5-2) at Cal Bears (5-4, 2-4)
California Memorial Stadium at 8 p.m. PT on FS1
Bear to Watch: Senior LB Evan Weaver
Quite simply, Weaver is a tackling machine. He leads the nation in tackles by two per game over his closest competitor. Last season, he finished second in the nation in tackles. On three occasions this season (a third of Cal's games), Weaver has posted an absurd 21 or more tackles. The senior is a playmaker as well with 9.5 tackles-for-loss (third in the Pac-12) and three forced fumbles (first in the Pac-12). He will make his presence felt on Saturday.
3 Keys
Fresh Legs
The Trojans should add Stephen Carr to the backfield mix to go along with Kenan Christon and maybe even Vavae Malepeai, although his status is "gametime decision." The last time USC went to Cal, Ronald Jones was hurt, so freshman Stephen Carr ran it 20 times, still the most carries in a game in his career. While Carr probably won't be pushed to that limit coming off a hamstring injury, the Trojans must commit to the run against Justin Wilcox's defense. The Bears have not had the same playmaking in the secondary as last year's team, which led the league in interceptions, but they will make life extremely difficult on Kedon Slovis. If the USC defense can keep a struggling Cal offense in check, the USC offense will have time to be patient with the running game and wear Cal's defense down over four quarters.
Non-Offensive Touchdowns
USC's turnover story is well told, although the Trojans won the battle (+1) last Saturday in Tempe. The Bears have so much trouble moving the football offensively that they may need USC's offense to provide the spark just like it did last season when a safety and an interception created 9 of the Bears' 15 points. In the past, it's been USC that's feasted in Berkeley on non-offensive touchdowns, including three special teams scores in the first half of the 2013 game and an Adoree' Jackson pick-six to open up the 2015 game. Last season, Cal led all Power 5 teams with five pick-sixes, but the Bears have zero in 2019. In a potentially close, cagey game, someone can separate with a non-offensive TD.
Chase on the Case?
On the whole, Cal's offense has been dismal, ranking last in the Pac-12 and 119th in the nation. But, like the Trojans, the Bears have been forced to start three different quarterbacks, and the drop off has proved steep from one to the next. Sophomore Chase Garbers was solid, throwing for 8 TDs to only 2 INTs in 5 starts. He could be back this week which would be a huge boost for the Bears. If not, UCLA transfer Devon Modster would start. Modster struggled in three consecutive losses, but then bounced back with 230 yards passing, 3 TDs and 0 INTs last week against Washington State.
California Memorial Stadium at 8 p.m. PT on FS1
Bear to Watch: Senior LB Evan WeaverQuite simply, Weaver is a tackling machine. He leads the nation in tackles by two per game over his closest competitor. Last season, he finished second in the nation in tackles. On three occasions this season (a third of Cal's games), Weaver has posted an absurd 21 or more tackles. The senior is a playmaker as well with 9.5 tackles-for-loss (third in the Pac-12) and three forced fumbles (first in the Pac-12). He will make his presence felt on Saturday.
3 Keys
Fresh Legs
The Trojans should add Stephen Carr to the backfield mix to go along with Kenan Christon and maybe even Vavae Malepeai, although his status is "gametime decision." The last time USC went to Cal, Ronald Jones was hurt, so freshman Stephen Carr ran it 20 times, still the most carries in a game in his career. While Carr probably won't be pushed to that limit coming off a hamstring injury, the Trojans must commit to the run against Justin Wilcox's defense. The Bears have not had the same playmaking in the secondary as last year's team, which led the league in interceptions, but they will make life extremely difficult on Kedon Slovis. If the USC defense can keep a struggling Cal offense in check, the USC offense will have time to be patient with the running game and wear Cal's defense down over four quarters.
Non-Offensive Touchdowns
USC's turnover story is well told, although the Trojans won the battle (+1) last Saturday in Tempe. The Bears have so much trouble moving the football offensively that they may need USC's offense to provide the spark just like it did last season when a safety and an interception created 9 of the Bears' 15 points. In the past, it's been USC that's feasted in Berkeley on non-offensive touchdowns, including three special teams scores in the first half of the 2013 game and an Adoree' Jackson pick-six to open up the 2015 game. Last season, Cal led all Power 5 teams with five pick-sixes, but the Bears have zero in 2019. In a potentially close, cagey game, someone can separate with a non-offensive TD.
Chase on the Case?
On the whole, Cal's offense has been dismal, ranking last in the Pac-12 and 119th in the nation. But, like the Trojans, the Bears have been forced to start three different quarterbacks, and the drop off has proved steep from one to the next. Sophomore Chase Garbers was solid, throwing for 8 TDs to only 2 INTs in 5 starts. He could be back this week which would be a huge boost for the Bears. If not, UCLA transfer Devon Modster would start. Modster struggled in three consecutive losses, but then bounced back with 230 yards passing, 3 TDs and 0 INTs last week against Washington State.
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