Pac-12 opener
Where: Seattle When: 2 p.m. Saturday TV/Radio: P12BA /810 Story line: With a win in their Pac-12 opener Saturday, the Bears would be 4-0 for the first time since 2007. It will be their toughest matchup yet this season. The Huskies are allowing only 11 points per game.
Injuries: Cal — S Griffin Piatt (knee), LB Aisea Tongilava (toe), WR Jack Austin (foot) and WR Matt Rockett (knee) are out. RB Daniel Lasco (hip) and DE DeVante Wilson (foot) are questionable. Washington — S Budda Baker (ankle), OL Shane Brostek (unknown) and OL Jake Eldrenkamp (unknown) are questionable.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Can Cal establish the run? The Bears had 280 rushing yards last Saturday at Texas, the most of the Sonny Dykes era. Given the caliber of Washington’s secondary, it could be important for the Bears again to find success on the ground. That, of course, is no simple task against a Washington defense that leads the Pac-12 with 93 rushing yards allowed per game. It certainly would help Cal if Lasco, who missed the Texas game with a strained muscle in his hip, plays.
How will the Bears’ secondary fare? Mistakes in the defensive backfield contributed to Texas’ near-comeback. In Seattle, a much-maligned group aims to prove it can handle a Pac-12 offense. The Huskies have a promising freshman quarterback in Jake Browning and a host of promising — albeit young — skill-position players.
Can Cal pressure Browning? The Huskies’ quarterback has enjoyed a solid start, but he’s still a freshman. The Bears will try to throw him off-kilter early with a heavy pass rush. Cal is averaging 2.7 sacks per game.