TLDR: Clemson has already reset its body clock to Pacific time and played through late kicks, and a Cal team with 1 narrow FBS win should not hold it off.
Point
- Travel
Clemson landed in Oakland Wednesday and practiced Wednesday and Thursday at the 10:30 PM ET kickoff hour, switching to Pacific time instead of fighting it.
- Late kicks
Storm delays already pushed the LSU and Georgia Southern kickoffs to 9:40 and 9:30 PM ET, so this roster has played this late before.
- Cal injuries
Cal lists defensive lineman Nate Burrell as doubtful, which helps a Clemson offensive line playing without Adam Guthrie and Mason Wade.
- Cal's record
Cal's only win over an FBS team is a 21-18 escape at Syracuse, and UCLA beat the Bears by 21 in Berkeley.
Counterpoint
- Ballhawk
Cal safety Kingston Lopa leads the FBS with 5 interceptions, a real threat to a true freshman making his 2nd start on the road.
- The spot
No. 6 Miami, 3-0, visits Clemson on October 3, which makes a late-night trip to Cal the easy game to look past.
Neutral
- Weather
Berkeley's forecast is fair and dry Friday night, falling toward 54 degrees with a light south-southwest wind, so conditions should not favor either side.
- Rest
Both teams played Saturday, September 19, so each side has 6 days of rest for a Friday game and neither gets an edge.