This Saturday, under the lights at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon, the California Golden Bears and Oregon State Beavers will renew a rivalry that’s spanned nearly nine decades. It’s the 88th meeting between these former Pac-12 foes, marking their 30th straight encounter since 1995. But don’t let the familiarity fool you—this opener feels fresh, fraught with new faces, quarterback battles, and the lingering echoes of conference realignment. With Oregon State favored by a slim margin and both teams hungry to set a positive tone, this non-conference tilt could be a bellwether for their respective campaigns.
Let’s start with the visitors from Berkeley. Justin Wilcox enters his ninth year at the helm of Cal, coming off a 6-6 season that included a bowl appearance but left fans yearning for more consistency. The Bears are in their second year in the ACC, a geographical oddity that still feels surreal, and they’re leaning on youth and transfers to ignite the offense. All eyes are on true freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a Hawaiian phenom who’s only the second true frosh to start an opener for Cal since Jared Goff in 2013. Sagapolutele’s high school stats are the stuff of legend: over 10,000 passing yards, shattering records held by the likes of Dillon Gabriel and Tua Tagovailoa. Rated as a five-star recruit by some outlets, he’s got the arm talent to dazzle, but facing a road opener in a hostile environment? That’s a tall order for any 18-year-old.
Offensively, Cal is rebuilding after losing key rushers and receivers, but the line might be a bright spot with additions like Tyson Ruffins from Nevada. On the flip side, the defense remains Wilcox’s calling card. Junior linebacker Cade Uluave, a preseason All-ACC honoree and Bednarik Award watch-lister, anchors a unit that racked up tackles and turnovers last year. Uluave’s 71 stops in just nine games highlight his playmaking ability, and with new coordinators Vic So’oto and Terrence Brown at the controls, expect the Bears to pressure Oregon State’s revamped attack. Oh, and don’t overlook the sentimental storyline: Former Cal All-American Ron Rivera is back in Berkeley as the program’s general manager, overseeing operations after a storied NFL career. His presence adds a layer of gravitas to a team that’s won its last three openers.
Shifting to the home team, Oregon State under second-year coach Trent Bray is looking to rebound from a 5-7 mark in 2024. The Beavers have embraced the underdog role post-Pac-12 dissolution, and their roster tweaks scream potential. Quarterback Maalik Murphy, a transfer from Duke, brings proven production—nearly 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns last season—giving OSU a gunslinger they haven’t had in years. Pair him with running back Anthony Hankerson, who eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards and 15 scores in 2024, and you’ve got a balanced offense that could exploit Cal’s transitional front. Receivers like Trent Walker and Darrius Clemons (combined for over 1,000 yards last year) provide reliable options, though Clemons’ injury status bears watching after recent updates from Bray’s presser.
Defensively, new coordinator Rod Chance takes over a group with standouts like Skyler Thomas (81 tackles) and edge rusher Nikko Taylor. Transfers such as Raesjon Davis from USC add depth and leadership. The Beavers’ home-field edge is real—they’ve won their last four home openers—and oddsmakers agree, listing OSU as 3-point favorites across most books, with a total of 50.5 points hinting at a game that could see some fireworks. But remember, Cal dominated last year’s meeting 44-7 in Berkeley, so revenge might fuel the orange-and-black faithful.
What makes this matchup so compelling? It’s the blend of stability and flux. Oregon State seems more settled offensively, with Murphy’s experience potentially tipping the scales in a close affair. Cal, however, has the defensive chops to disrupt and force mistakes from a transfer-heavy Beaver line. Trends favor the hosts: OSU has covered in four of five as favorites against Cal, while the Bears have dropped their last five in Oregon. Yet, Cal’s 8-1 ATS record in road openers as underdogs suggests they thrive in these spots.
I’m picking Oregon State in a close one, with Murphy’s experience and Hankerson’s rushing wearing down Cal late for a 27-23 win, covering the spread. But if Sagapolutele delivers early, Cal could pull off the upset. Either way, this game will set the tone for both teams’ seasons.
Be the first to comment