UCLA AT CALIFORNIA

Led by the nation's fourth-best running game, Jim Mora's has his high-octane UCLA offense off to a flying start. His next test, however, is one the Bruins haven't passed in more than a decade. UCLA visits California for a Pac-12 Conference matchup Saturday and the Bruins haven't won in Berkeley in 14 years. While breaking that streak would seem promising as the favored Bruins enter the contest 4-1 and Cal has struggled to a 1-4 start, Mora knows that Cal's four losses have come against teams that have combined to go 16-3. UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin hopes to carry the torch for the Bruins. He is third in the NCAA in rushing and the Bears have been gashed on the ground for more than 174 yards per game.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: UCLA -3

ABOUT UCLA (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12 South): Memorial Stadium has been a house of horrors for UCLA. The Bruins have lost six consecutive games there by a combined score of 222-129. The last time UCLA ventured into Berkeley it lost 35-7 in 2010. But Mora has UCLA rolling and they rebounded from their first loss, a home upset at the hands of Oregon State, by hammering Colorado on the road last week.  The Bruins average 36.8 points per game and lead the Pac-12 in total yards and should be able to attack the Bears at their weakness - run defense. Franklin has 697 yards on the ground and a big game could put him back in the Heisman Trophy discussion.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA (1-4, 0-2 Pac-12 North): While the Bears are certainly struggling, they have been competitive all season. Cal took No. 12 Ohio State to the wire in Columbus, Ohio, and then battled Matt Barkley and conference powerhouse USC tightly for three quarters. Last week Cal trailed a strong Arizona State team by a field goal with 10 minutes to play before falling 27-17. UCLA is the fourth straight team Cal has faced that has received votes in the Top 25 poll and to get over the hump, Cal has to slow down UCLA’s offense. The Bears’ defense allowed at least 27 points in every game this season and is 10th in the Pac-12 in scoring defense having allowed 30.2 points per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. UCLA beat Cal 31-14 last season at the Rose Bowl.

2. Cal QB Zach Maynard was intercepted by UCLA’s Tevin McDonald three times in last year’s game.

3. Cal back Isi Sofele reached 2,000 career rushing yards last week and has 2,075 after racking up 105 yards versus Arizona State. He is 429 yards shy of Cal's all-time top-10 list in career rushing yards.

MONEYLINE COVERS - My pick is California +3. Watched them against Arizona State. They did not look that bad. I think Arizona state will end up being the second best team in the Pac 12. That is why I am on Missouri -7 today. Because Missouri beat ASU. Cal really needs this game plus they are at home.