The No. 15 Virginia Cavaliers hit the road again this week after their thrilling trip to Chapel Hill ended in yet another overtime victory, their third of the year. The ’Hoos moved to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the ACC after the win, and their reward is a 2,800-mile trip to face the California Golden Bears (5-3, 2-2 ACC) on Saturday afternoon.
Virginia is currently favored by 4.5 points according to FanDuel in this matchup, but the Golden Bears are a worthy opponent and are hungry for their first win
over a ranked opponent since their victory over #23 Oregon at home in 2020.
This is an important game for both teams and a very intriguing matchup. For Virginia, to stay on top of the ACC standings and increase their chances of making the ACC title game, and for California, a win makes them bowl eligible for the third straight season.
To get you set for Saturday, here are three players to look out for, two key matchups, and one prediction.
3 Players
Kendrick Raphael (RB)
Some of my favorite qualities of Virginia’s star running back, J’Mari Taylor, are that he rarely goes down on first contact, he always falls forward, and he has a nose for the end zone when UVA is around the goal line. California has a guy in the backfield who mirrors all of those qualities J’Mari has. Kendrick Raphael scored three touchdowns last week in Lane Stadium. All three came from inside the five-yard line, and two of the three he just carried multiple Hokie defenders with him to the pay dirt for six points.
He is fifth in the ACC with eight touchdowns on the season, sixth in the ACC with 556 yards on the ground, and first in the ACC with 135 attempts. Expect head coach Justin Wilcox to give his junior tailback the ball early and often in this game against Virginia’s defense, which allows nearly 125 rushing yards per contest.
Cade Uluave (LB)
The ACC’s linebacker of the week last week had 19 total tackles against Virginia Tech and sacked QB Kyron Drones twice. Cade Uluave is a bloodhound on the gridiron and more often than not will be around the ball when the ref blows the whistle at the end of every play. He leads the ACC with 81 total tackles through eight games and is in the midst of a breakout year. Uluave will be tasked with limiting Virginia’s run game and keeping an eye on Chandler Morris when he tries to escape the pocket.
Hezekiah Masses (DB)
Hezekiah Masses is a ballhawk to put it simply. He leads the ACC in pass breakups with nine on the season and is also alone at the top in interceptions with four. Masses will be able to run with Virginia’s speedy receivers, but the good news is there is only one of him, and California will have to choose between Trell Harris and Cam Ross as his assignment.
2 Matchups
UVA run game vs. California’s run defense
When the run game is humming, Des Kitchings’ whole offense is humming, and he knows that. California ranks toward the bottom of the ACC in overall run defense. They are 14th in yards allowed, giving up over 150 yards per game; 14th in rushing touchdowns allowed, surrendering 15 on the year through eight games; and 15th in the ACC, giving up 4.6 yards per rush. Last week against Virginia Tech, the Golden Bears allowed 357 yards on the ground and over six yards per carry.
J’Mari Taylor and the rest of the Virginia rushing attack should be able to get back on track this coming Saturday after only rushing for 59 yards against the Tarheels last week.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele vs. his wide receivers
California’s wide receiver room has been doing everything but helping their young QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele in the last two games. They have dropped 11 passes in their previous two times out, costing the Golden Bears at least three offensive touchdowns. Last week, Trond Grizzell and Mark Hamper dropped sure touchdowns on back-to-back plays in the second quarter against Virginia Tech, leading Cal to kick a field goal instead of putting six on the board.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele can sling the rock all over the field and will be able to find open receivers against a Virginia pass defense that has been clutch but is no stranger to allowing big plays. Whether his wideouts can make the plays for him is the question.
1 Prediction
I think Virginia’s offense can get back on track here, but I also think California will be able to put points on the board at a decent rate. Virginia’s key to victory here will be to dominate on the ground, and that will open up the big plays fans were getting used to seeing in the early part of this season. I think this matchup allows them to do that. Virginia 31 California 24
