Cal-Stanford: What to know before the 124th Big Game

CAL AT STANFORD

Records: Cal 3-6, 2-4 Pac-12; Stanford 3-7, 2-6 Pac-12.

Kickoff: 4 p.m., Stanford Stadium

Radio: KNBR 1050 AM (Stanford), KGO 810 AM (Cal)

Television: Pac-12 Network

Series history: Stanford has won 10 of the last 11 Big Games, but Cal won in its last appearance at Stanford, in 2019. Overall, Stanford leads 65-47-11 in the sixth-most played series in college football.

Storylines: Cal has its first two-game winning streak of the season, beating Colorado and Washington State, until their momentum was derailed by a COVID outbreak. First, 24 players missed the loss against Arizona, and then last week’s game against USC had to be postponed. … Stanford handed Oregon its only loss of the season and then dropped its next five games, including a 52-7 loss to Utah in its last home game. The Cardinal are just 1-3 at home.

Matchup to watch: Chase Garbers vs. Stanford defensive line. Garbers leads the Pac-12 in passing yards (247.4) and total offense (293.0), while Stanford has struggled against dual-threat QBs this season.

Injuries/Absences: For Stanford, CB Kyu Blu Kelly, LB Ricky Miezan, and TE/DE Tucker Fisk are all probably to play after missing last week’s game with undisclosed injuries, while RB E.J. Smith and WR Elijah Higgins are still questionable. Cal is expected to be without two offensive linemen, LT Will Craig (ankle injury), and RG McKade Mettauer (COVID protocols).

Stats that matter: S Elijah Hicks has an interception in three straight games, the first Cal player to do it in 3 straight since Griffin Piatt in 2014. … Stanford TE Benjamin Yurosek is the only Power 5 tight end with three games with 90-plus receiving yards this season. … CB Josh Drayden will break Cal’s career record for games played when he plays in his 53rd against Stanford. …  The Cardinal are 3-0 this season when leading at the half. … Garbers has thrown 120 straight passes without an interception. … Stanford has had a program-record four different starting QBs this season, tied with Southern Miss for the most in the country.