California Golden Bears vs. Auburn Tigers Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 7th 2024

Preview and Prediction

The state of California will have an opportunity to become familiar with the type of travel they will experience in the future Atlantic Coast Conference when the Golden Bears embark on a 2,400-mile journey to visit fellow undefeated team, Auburn, in a nonconference game on Saturday afternoon.

This matchup will mark the completion of a home-and-home agreement between the new ACC school and the long-standing Southeastern Conference powerhouse. The agreement began last September with a 14-10 victory for the Tigers in Berkeley, California.

Cal (1-0) is expected to have their star running back, Jaydn Ott, available for the rematch after he sustained a left ankle injury in the Golden Bears' 31-13 opening win against U.C. Davis last Saturday. Ott is an All-American candidate and his availability will be crucial for Cal's success.

Head coach Justin Wilcox, who is known for being secretive with information such as starters and player availability, stated that Ott is "probable" in his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

In the Davis game, Ott only managed to rush for 49 yards on 14 carries before leaving the game in the third quarter. However, he did score two touchdowns before his departure. In last year's loss to Auburn, Ott had 20 carries for a game-high 78 yards and one touchdown.

Ott also played a role in a third touchdown in the opener when Nohl Williams, one of the blocking backs on the kickoff unit, returned a short kick 80 yards for a score. This was a strategic move to prevent an Ott return.

Williams, who also intercepted a pass in the win, stated, "Going into the week, I knew that was their game plan - kicking away from Jaydn. That was my opportunity right there."

Ott was a first-team All-Pac 12 selection in 2023, where he rushed for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns. If he is unable to play on Saturday, he could potentially be replaced by Kadarius Calloway, Jaivian Thomas, or Byron Cardwell.

Auburn (1-0) will have a familiar face in an unusual position when they attempt to recreate the offensive success they had in last week's 73-3 victory over Alabama A&M. Sam Jackson V, who started at quarterback for Cal in last year's meeting, is now a wide receiver for the Tigers. He scored a 37-yard touchdown reception in his Auburn debut against the overmatched FCS opponent.

Head coach Hugh Freeze stated, "It'll be a good challenge to sort of see where we are offensively. Here's our chance to prove we can be a fundamentally efficient scoring machine against a team that I believe plays really good defensive football."

PREDICTION

California Golden Bears

Auburn Tigers