With the Pac-10 schedule revving up tomorrow, we look to traditional media outlets for some info regarding ASU @ Cal.

The unexpected awaits Cal

Arizona State is coming off two disappointing losses (UNLV, Georgia) and then a bye week. Who knows what the Devil transpired in Tempe since the Bulldog debacle, but you can bet Dennis Erickson was not pleased. What might Jeff Tedford expect given the extra preparation time ASU had?

"You have to expect the unexpected," Tedford said. "They have longer to game plan against you. I'm sure they're very hungry. We expect to see some new wrinkles."

The old wrinkles haven't been cutting it so look for something new from ASU. And for Cal too. The quarterback position is totally wide open again and I have a feeling Nate Longshore may end up taking over. And with RB Jahvid Best's injury, Shane Vereen will be carrying the load.

 

Ted Miller from his ESPN Pac-10 Blog has a few points about the game:

2. Who will start at quarterback for California and what will it mean?: Coming off a 42-7 victory in which your quarterback doesn't throw an interception is a curious time to renew a quarterback competition, but that's just what Bears coach Jeff Tedford did. And based on news reports this week, both sophomore starter Kevin Riley and senior challenger Nate Longshore -- who started 26 games before losing out to Riley -- practiced well, with neither surging ahead or falling behind. So Tedford said he'd wait until pregame warmups to announce who will start against Arizona State. How much of this is gamesmanship, and how much of an advantage does this garner Cal, if any? Here's a guess that the tag goes to the incumbent, and Riley remains the starter, with Longshore seeing spot action, which was the plan entering the season.

3. As usual, Rudy, not the run game, will be the key for Arizona State: Dennis Erickson said the Sun Devils need to run the ball more, period. The return of running back Keegan Herring from a nagging hamstring injury should help the Sun Devils sagging (110th in the nation) ground attack. But that won't change the basic fact that quarterback Rudy Carpenter is Arizona State's centerpiece, its singular star who will determine this team's fate almost every week. The speedy Herring might break a run or two for a big gain, but the Sun Devils will live or die by the pass in this game and the rest of the season.

Erickson says that despite the broken bone in his hand, Thomas Weber should still be able to handle punting duties...

Learn more about Shane Vereen, Javhid Best's backup and starter at running back going into the ASU game.

This article is just an appetizer. House Of Sparky has plenty of coverage coming up for tomorrow's big matchup.

Don't forget, the game is at 3:30 ET on ABC Regional. To check and see if you get the broadcast, check this fanpost by BearsNecessity.