California @ Northwestern preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2013 ) Northwestern 44, California 30

California quarterback Jared Goff was asked to do a lot of heavy lifting in 2013 and nothing will change this season, beginning with a road game against Northwestern on Saturday. Goff not only had to replace two-year starter Zach Maynard at quarterback, but was tabbed to help steer rebuilding California through Sonny Dykes’ maiden season. While the Bears struggled through a winless Pac-12 campaign (0-9), Goff was a bright spot while breaking school single-season records in such categories as passing yards (3,508), completions (320) and attempts (531).

Last year, Dykes unleashed the youngster on Northwestern as he became the first freshman quarterback in program history to start a season opener, and he responded by throwing for 450 yards on 64 attempts and a pair of touchdowns. Goff, though, was also was sacked four times and threw three interceptions, with two returned for touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a 44-30 loss. The 6-4, 210-pound Goff was named one of the five Golden Bears captains.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Northwestern -10.5

ABOUT CALIFORNIA (2013: 1-11): The Golden Bears have five players named to preseason award watch lists highlight by Goff (Maxwell and Davey O’Brien), wide receiver Chris Harper (Biletnikoff), running back Daniel Lasco (Doak Walker), punter Cole Leininger (Ray Guy) and running back Khalfani Muhammad (Paul Hornung). Injuries hounded Cal’s defense last season, but some of the key returners include Brennan Scarlett and Mustafa Jalil - a pair of defensive ends who missed the entire season – and safety Stefan McClure, a converted cornerback who missed the bulk of 2013. Also, defensive tackle Austin Clark returns for a sixth season after missing the majority of the last two years.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (2013: 5-7): The Wildcats started last year in the Top 25, but dropped seven consecutive games sandwiched between a 4-0 start and a win at rival Illinois. Contests against Iowa, Nebraska and Michigan hung in the balance until mental errors proved costly. Venric Mark was expected to be the centerpiece of the run game, but transferred to Division II West Texas A&M late in training camp, while wide receiver Christian Jones and defensive tackle Sean McEvilly suffered season-ending injuries.

EXTRA POINTS

1. California opens the season on the road for the first time in eight years, while Northwestern starts at home for the first time since 2009.

2. Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald is 8-0 in season openers.

3. The Bears set school records for single-season passing yards (3,977), pass completions (368) and total plays (1,046) last season.

PREDICTION: Northwestern 28, California 14

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