Next up on Saturday: Washington

vs.

On Saturday the Bears host Washington (4-3, 2-2 in conference), a team much-improved over their last season as the undisputed bottom-feeders of the Pac-10. The Huskies have already posted wins over UCLA and Arizona and have given USC a scare. However, their star quarterback Isaiah Stanback is gone with a season-ended injury sustained in their last week’s loss at Oregon State.

If Washington still had Stanback leading their offense, I would say we’d have a real game on Saturday. With backup QB Carl Bonnell most likely taking over (who went 2-of-6 passes for 10 yards in the fourth quarter at OSU), this matchup may end up reminiscent of other home games this season. The Huskies also have a highly-touted freshman quarterback Jake Locker, but Washington coaches probably don’t want to burn his redshirt (and confidence) against the Bears’ defense in a hostile environment.

USA Today: “Weekend Preview”

No. 11 California, still the league’s hottest team despite last week’s scoreless second half at Washington State, returns to Berkeley to host Washington. The Huskies’ promising season took a disastrous turn when QB Isaiah Stanback (foot) was lost for the duration. His replacement probably will likely be Carl Bonnell as the coaching staff tries to preserve touted freshman Jake Locker’s redshirt year. RB Kenny James must aid the transition. Golden Bears QB Nate Longshore will look for a quick start to shake off his first cool spell since opening week. The explosive potential of RB Marshawn Lynch should help.

Rivals.com: “Sekou Picks the Pac-10, Week 7”

California looks to stay hot when it hosts the Washington Huskies. UW limps into Berkeley with out the service of its all everything quarterback Isaiah Stanback. Obviously Coach Willingham will hope his run game will be able to carry the offense. Expect backs Kenny James and Louis Rankin to get extra carries to make up for their missing dual threat. Cal should be well prepared for this course of action. The Bears defense should force turnovers and have one of its most dominating performance of the year; possibly even more so than last week. On offense, the Bears will look to get back in its 40+ rhythm against a defense that will be deflated by lack of offensive production. Expect the Huskies to limit some of Marshawn Lynch’s carries, but eventually Lynch and back-up Justin Forsett will find the creases to have big runs; similar to the type of game Oklahoma back Adrian Peterson had against UW earlier in the year. Quaterback Nate Longshore is efficient, the defense and special teams score, and the Bears blow this game open and win it 40-7.

ESPN’s Ted Miller: “Cal looks to keep streak rolling vs. Huskies”

Not long ago, Cal playing Washington meant one thing: A Huskies’ victory. But after losing 19 in a row in the series, the Bears have now won four straight, and the average score of the last three has been 51-12. Last year, they won 56-17, setting a school record for most points scored on the road.
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Carl Bonnell… with his first assignment as the new starter being a visit to California, perhaps the hottest team in the nation. The Bears have whipped the Huskies four consecutive games, the last three by a margin of 152-36.

Scout.com: “Week 8: UW (4-3) at California (6-1)”

Washington comes off of their worst performance of the season, a 27-17 shellacking at the hands of Oregon State, while California enters this contest on the heels of a 21-3 road win at Washington State. Cal has won six in a row while Washington has dropped their last two.

Sports Network: “Red-hot Bears host Huskies in Berkeley”

The Golden Bears are steam-rolling the competition in-conference and a Washington team on the road without its starting QB is just the next victim on the docket.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: California 34, Washington 13

ESPN’s Bruce Feldman: “Picks”

No. 11 Cal 38, Washington 7: The Huskies being without Isaiah Stanback, their play-making QB, is going to really hurt. More importantly, U-Dub and its worst pass defense in the Pac-10 looks mighty vulnerable against QB Nate Longshore and all of the Bears skill talent. Thing that has me sold: Washington’s terrible pass defense.

Eric’s prediction: 52-17, Cal.

Steve’s prediction: 48-10 Cal.