California (5-4,

2-3 Pac-10) at No. 25

Arizona State (7-3, 4-1)

3:30 p.m., Fox Sports
The Golden Bears and Sun Devils have not met since the 2000 season, and what better of a time for them to do so.
California is coming off a bye week but lost to Oregon State, 24-13, in its last contest on Oct. 26. After starting out 3-0 with victories against Baylor, New Mexico State and Michigan State, the Bears are just 2-4. However, with former Oregon offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford leading the blue and gold, Cal never is out of a game.
“I have faith in our players and our leadership that no matter how the game goes the week before, our guys are very resilient,” Tedford said. “They bounce back very fast and are focused on the job at hand the next week … whether we win the big game or lose the big game. Our team and our coaching staff have the same mentality no matter what happens the week before.”
Arizona State, on the other hand, has been the surprise of the Pac-10 after victories over Washington and Oregon. But a 44-22 loss to Washington State set the Sun Devils back a bit.
The Sun Devils are in a dire Rose Bowl predicament, because their only loss came to conference leader Washington State, and they have yet to play Pac-10 power USC, a game that is scheduled for Nov. 16.
Still, with an offense that is ranked third in scoring and a defense that is ranked fifth in the conference, head coach Dirk Koetter’s squad could continue its reign.
Not surprisingly, Koetter and Tedford are good friends, both having passed through the Oregon offensive coordinator position in recent years. Koetter manned the spot from 1996-97, while Tedford succeeded him from 1998-2001.
“Jeff and I became friends when I left Oregon to go to Boise State (as head coach) and he replaced me,” Koetter said. “I think Jeff is an excellent football coach and I think the fans will be able to see the similarities in our offensive styles.”