Golden Nuggets: Cal-Colorado Score Predictions

Another Thursday, another round of predictions.

• Ted Miller predicts Cal-Colorado as one of two Pac-12 upsets this week!

Colorado 24, California 21: This week's upset special! The Bears look better on paper, and they whipped the Buffs 52-7 in Berkeley last year. But think about it: This is EXACTLY the type of game in which Cal throws up on itself.

• Of course, in his "What to Watch" piece, Miller says "the Colorado O-line is where an upset will start.  Or end."  Forgive me for being skeptical of a Steve Marshall-coached line.
• Jon Wilner picks the Buffs to win.

CAL (minus-5) at COLORADO: Hawaii is much better than Fresno State, and I refuse to believe in the Bears on the road until they give me a reason to do so. Pick: Colorado.

• All three of Yahoo! Sports' experts and 83% of their readers picked Cal to beat Colorado.
• Phil Steele does not provide a score prediction, but expects Zach Maynard and Marvin Jones to have solid performances.  He says a 300-yard game (including rushing and passing) for Maynard is within reason.
• WhatIfSports ran a series of simulations and Cal won 62% of the time and won 23-21 on average.  Marshall pulls a spectacular rabbit out of his hat and allows only 3 sacks while covering 4.0 yards per rushing attempt.

After the jump Kiesau and Ambrose prepare to return to their old stomping grounds, Tyler Hansen demands improvement from the Colorado O-line, and a man is in the hospital in serious condition following an altercation about porta-potties at Saturday's game.  I can't even make this stuff up.

Football

• A man was beaten unconscious outside the Cal-Fresno State game on Saturday.  Details are sparse, but it appears a verbal altercation between two 26-year-old males escalated into a physical confrontation.  A suspect is in custody and the victim is in serious condition, but his injuries are not life-threatening.  The Daily Cal's twitter indicates that this argument was over the use of porta-potties.
• The Bears move up to third in Jon Wilner's Pac-12 ratings.
• Eric Kiesau and Ashley Ambrose offer insight into how the Buffs will be feeling during Saturday's game and how to take advantage of matchups.
• Still in contact with many of the Colorado players and coaches, Kiesau must treat this as a "business trip." 
• Jon Embree looks back at last year's loss to Cal.  He noted a lack of effort and mentality where the team just wanted the game to come to an end.
• Colorado's QB Tyler Hansen recalls the horrific loss last year.  Hansen says the offensive line must be tougher both physically and mentally if the Buffs want to have a chance.
• Da Raiduhs have released Trent Edwards which leaves Cal alum Kyle Boller as the only backup for Jason Campbell.
• If the Bears want to cement themselves back in the nation's top-25, they have to start consistently winning on the road says Monte Poole.
• The big focus was on special teams during Wednesday's practice.  Jed Barnett filled in for a recovering Bryan Anger and was impressive in his place.  Tavecchio, meanwhile, worked on his launch angle for PATs and field goals.
• Quick updates from Thursday's practice: Kaelin Clay (academics) will not make the trip to Boulder, Will Kapp (concussion) will probably not play, and Sean Cattouse (concussion) will be able to play on Saturday.
• Pendergast talks defense after Thursday's practice.  He says Moala will get more playing time as the season goes on.  He also said Chris McCain will play more, particularly as a rush linebacker on obvious passing downs.

Soccer

• Katie Benz was named to the Soccer America and TopDrawerSoccer.com National Team of the Week.