Auburn Tigers vs California Golden Bears Picks and Predictions September 7th 2024

California (Cal) is gearing up for a tough non-conference clash as they head 2,400 miles east to face Auburn on Saturday afternoon. This is the second game in their home-and-home series, with Auburn winning a tight 14-10 game in Berkeley last year. Now, Cal is stepping into the heart of Southeastern Conference (SEC) territory, a taste of the long-distance travel the Golden Bears will face as they transition into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Jaydn Ott’s Health Is Key for Cal’s Offense

A huge storyline heading into this game is whether Jaydn Ott, Cal’s star running back, will be ready to go. Ott, who’s already on everyone’s radar as a preseason All-ACC first-team selection and All-American candidate, is listed as “probable” after suffering an ankle injury during Cal’s season-opening 31-13 win over UC Davis.

Before leaving the game, Ott racked up 49 rushing yards on 14 carries and punched in two touchdowns. He was the centerpiece of Cal’s offense last season, rushing for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns. In their narrow loss to Auburn last year, Ott was the leading rusher with 78 yards and a touchdown. His availability will be crucial to Cal’s hopes of avenging that defeat.

If Ott is limited or can’t play, Cal will rely on a trio of backups—Kadarius Calloway, Jaivian Thomas, and Byron Cardwell—to handle the ground game. But none of these backs bring the explosive, game-changing ability Ott does, making his health a major factor.

Auburn’s Offense Is Rolling After Week 1 Blowout

Auburn (1-0) is coming off a 73-3 demolition of Alabama A&M, where they showcased a well-balanced offense, racking up 485 total yards. They spread the ball around efficiently, scoring in all phases of the game, but head coach Hugh Freeze knows Cal’s defense will present a much tougher challenge.

“It’ll be a good challenge to sort of see where we are offensively,” Freeze said. “Here’s our chance to prove we can be a fundamentally efficient scoring machine against a team that plays really good defensive football.”

One interesting twist in this game is the presence of Sam Jackson V, who played quarterback for Cal last year. After transferring to Auburn and switching to wide receiver, Jackson has already made his mark, catching a 37-yard touchdown pass in Auburn’s opener. Facing his former team adds a layer of drama to this matchup.

Cal’s Defense Must Step Up

Even in their loss to Auburn last season, Cal’s defense held the Tigers to just 14 points, and they’ll need a similar performance to have a shot this weekend. In their opener against UC Davis, Cal’s defense only allowed 13 points, and their special teams shined, with Nohl Williams returning a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown and also snagging an interception.

Cal’s defense will have to deal with an Auburn offense that looked explosive under Freeze’s guidance, led by a new quarterback and a host of talented transfers. Cal’s defensive front will need to put pressure on Auburn’s offense to avoid giving them the same freedom they had in Week 1.

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Key Matchups to Watch

• Jaydn Ott vs. Auburn’s Defense: If Ott is healthy, he’ll be the go-to guy for Cal’s offense. Auburn’s defense will have to find a way to contain him or risk Cal controlling the game on the ground.
• Auburn’s Passing Game vs. Cal’s Secondary: Auburn’s offense looked dangerous in their opener, and with Sam Jackson V as a new weapon in their passing game, Cal’s secondary will have their hands full. Can they limit Auburn’s explosive plays?
• Cal’s Special Teams and Defense vs. Auburn’s Offense: Cal has a knack for creating big plays on special teams and defense, and they’ll need more of that magic to slow down an Auburn offense that thrived in their first game under Freeze.

What’s at Stake?

For Cal, beating a top-tier SEC team like Auburn would be a huge confidence boost as they prepare to join the ACC. Winning on the road against a tough opponent would also send a message that Cal can compete at a high level under head coach Justin Wilcox.

For Auburn, the goal is to keep the momentum going from their Week 1 blowout. They’ll want to prove that they can maintain offensive efficiency against a stronger opponent like Cal. Playing at home gives them a clear advantage, especially as they look to capitalize on Cal’s long travel and potentially limited roster with Ott’s injury.

With both teams looking to stay unbeaten and show their early-season form, this game is shaping up to be an exciting clash between two teams with a lot to prove.