By Pete Fiutak | October 13, 2017 12:28 am CT

Washington State vs. Cal Fearless Prediction & Game Preview

Check out the Washington State vs. Cal fearless prediction and game preview.

Washington State (6-0) vs. Cal (3-3) Game Preview

Broadcast, TV, Game Time

Date: Friday, October 13th
Game Time: 10:30 pm ET
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Network: ESPN

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Washington State keeps on rolling.

It doesn’t matter that USC was tired when it came to Pullman, and it doesn’t matter that Oregon was without QB Justin Herbert. The Cougars are 6-0 and deep in the hunt for the Pac-12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

But there’s still work to do.

After this and Colorado, there’s a tough trip to Arizona, Stanford, at Utah and at Washington. There can’t be a slip against the improved Bears.

Cal is improving in a big way in a big hurry under new head coach Justin Wilcox, but this is a turning point moment in the season. There’s a chance to make a great run in the Pac-12 after this game, with Arizona, at Colorado and Oregon State up next.

Beat Wazzu, and going 0-3 in the Pac-12 so far doesn’t matter anymore.

One Reason Why Washington State Will Win

The Cal pass defense isn’t good enough.

The lines aren’t playing all that well, and the pass rush isn’t going to be in place to pressure Luke Falk and screw up the Wazzu timing.

The secondary has struggled way too much, getting dinked and dunked on by Oregon, giving up too many big plays early on, and it’s having to make way too many plays against the run.

Just as bad, the Cal running game has gone bye-bye. The Bears were a disaster against Washington’s defensive front last week – finishing with a -40 net rushing yards – and ran for just eight yards against Oregon.

One Reason Why Cal Will Win

Okay, Cal. Try to ramp up the pass rush again.

The Bears were fantastic at getting into the backfield to start the season – generating nine sacks – but they have just two in the last three games. Against a leaky Wazzu offensive line, this is the time to figure out how to get to Luke Falk.

While the sacks have dissipated, the tackles for loss have been there with a steady stream plays behind the line. Washington State’s offense will give them up – Cal needs its share of winning defensive plays.

What’s Going To Happen

There are far bigger things going on in the area than just a big football game. With the wildfires and the ongoing disaster, the air quality might not be the best, but the game is on.

Cal will be jacked up on a Friday night to make a big statement against suddenly highly-ranked team, but the Cougar offense is playing too well.

Don’t forget about the Wazzu D, either. The Bears don’t have enough pop to keep up the pace.