No. 17 UCLA looks to get back on track in visit to Cal
By The Associated Press
No. 17 UCLA (8-3, 5-3 Pac-12, No. 18 CFP) at California (4-7, 2-6), Friday, 4:30 p.m. EST (Fox)
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK COLLEGE LINE: UCLA by 10 1/2
Series record: UCLA leads 57-34-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Bruins look to bounce back from consecutive losses and improve their slot in the Pac-12 bowl lineup. The Golden Bears have been eliminated from bowl contention but can end the season with back-to-back wins over two of their biggest rivals after beating Stanford in the Big Game last season.
KEY MATCHUP
UCLA run game vs. Cal run D. The Bruins have one of the top backs in the country with Zach Charbonnet leading the nation with 171 all-purpose yards per game. Charbonnet has rushed for at least 95 yards in eight of nine games he has played this season, helping UCLA rank sixth in the nation in rushing offense (236.7). The Bruins have rushed for at least 200 yards in four straight games and eight times this season. Cal has allowed three of the past four opponents to rush for at least 150 yards.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UCLA: QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw four TD passes and ran for two scores last week against USC to set the Bruins career record for TDs accounted for with 110. Thompson-Robinson also became the school’s all-time leader in total offense against USC.
California: RB Jaydn Ott ran for 97 yards and a TD last week, giving him 842 yards on the season. Ott has rushed for 527 yards in the three wins for the Bears and just 315 in the seven losses.
FACTS & FIGURES
UCLA has won four of the last five in the series. … The Bruins need to win their final two games to match the school record with 10 wins on the season. … UCLA is one of six teams in FBS averaging at least 500 yards of offense per game. … The Bruins had four turnovers last week. … Cal snapped a six-game losing streak with the win over Stanford last week. … The Bears have a fumble return for a touchdown in two straight games. … Cal WR J.Michael Sturdivant leads all freshmen with 60 receptions and ranks third among freshmen with 685 yards receiving.
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