5 Things to Watch: Quarterback play, turnover battle key in Cal-SDSU matchup

San Diego State meets Cal for its third game of the season, just like last year.

The Golden Bears won that game 31-10 in Berkeley. How much can the Aztecs glean from that game? There was a time when they could learn plenty, but it’s different in the portal transfer era that has created significant roster churn.

“I think there’s some validity to it, right?” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said. “Especially defensively, there’s been some nuances and some changes, probably at a granular level, right? But you can still tell that, you know, the style of ball that they want to play, particularly defensively, has consistently rang through and rang true.”

Cal coach Justin Wilcox is in his ninth season with the Bears, so Lewis has a good idea of their identity.

“There’s that familiarity, almost like a conference foe, to where you’ve got to have enough in the repertoire that protects your main concepts with the various complements,” Lewis said, “but also not deviate and get too far away from who you are and the concepts and the calls that you’ve accumulated a ton of reps on as you’ve gone with it.”

The Aztecs (1-1) are 13 1/2-point underdogs coming into the game against Cal (3-0) at Snapdragon Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. for a game that will air on CBS Sports Network:

Here are five things to watch:

Four-quarter fight

Cal has done an excellent job this season of starting strong defensively and finishing strong offensively.

The Bears have not allowed a point this season in the first quarter. They’ve scored 30 points (10 each game) in the fourth quarter, making it their most productive period.

“One of the big things with this one is we know it’s going to be a four-quarter fight,” Lewis said. “Having the emotional toughness to respond to the good and the bad that we know is going to come in this game (is critical).

“There’s going to be the ebbs and flows that go with it. They have really good players. They’re really well coached. We have good players that have prepared well.

“We have to do a good job with the responses. When good things happen for us, until the final whistles has blown, we can’t be satisfied. We have to relentlessly play our style of ball for four quarters and respond appropriately with great discipline.”

2. Cal’s QB

A big reason for Cal’s success is the play of 6-foot-3 true freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who has been praised for his accuracy, awareness and composure.

“You can tell he’s very decisive and he trusts the pieces that he’s playing with,” Lewis said. “He’s been consistent with his footwork. He’s been consistent with his decision-making and he’s done a really good job throwing on time and on target and playing catch with his guys. …

“He’s learning, he’s growing, obviously, on the job, and he’s doing it at a very, very high level. So, you know, we’ve got to do a good job making it really tough on him.”

Sagapolutele has completed 71 of 106 passes (67 percent) for 772 yards and six touchdowns with one interception.

“I know that the D-line this week for us can affect the game a lot if we can just make them feel under constant pressure,” said SDSU edge Trey White, who is still looking for his first sack this season.

SDSU’s defense has three sacks in two games while Cal has allowed four sacks in three games.

3. SDSU’s QB

SDSU quarterback Jayden Denegal (28-for-55, 340 yards, 2 TDs) aims to be more decisive and productive against Cal following an uneven performance two weeks ago at Washington State.

Denegal led a first-quarter scoring drive against the Cougars, but the Aztecs’ offense sputtered thereafter with four straight three-and-outs thereafter.

Most notable was a fourth-and-5 play in the third quarter in which Denegal could easily have run for the first down, but threw incomplete instead for a turnover on downs.

“His decision-making process is sound,” Lewis said during SDSU’s off week. “The timing, location and time on task with receivers so we can connect on balls and have higher completion percentage is something that we need to continue to refine. …

“There’s time on task that has to be spent with the receivers so that we can have timing in the throw game that’s needed. There’s situational understanding and mastering that needs to come.”

4. Turnovers

Cal tied for the national lead with 28 takeaways two years ago. The Bears had 22 last year. They’re at it again this season, forcing five turnovers. SDSU’s defense is still looking for its first takeaway.

Cal has senior cornerback Hezekiah Masses to thank for most of the work. Masses has all three of their interceptions, collecting one in each game.

“When you give him an opportunity, he capitalizes on it,” Lewis said. “Shoot, there was even one Pick 6 he had down in the red zone against Oregon State that got called back because of a penalty. So he’s been very opportunistic.

“Their rush does a good job quickening up quarterbacks to force them into making sped-up decisions, which helps on the back end.”

For SDSU to create some turnovers, Lewis said, “We’ve got to do a great job being ball aware. We’ve put a great emphasis on it. … Everyone knows how important it is. We’ve done a great job getting our hands on the ball. We’ve just got to focus on finishing.”

5. The Middle Eight

Modern football coaches talk about the importance of “the middle eight,” the last four minutes of the second quarter and the first four minutes of the third quarter.

Bill Belichick popularized the concept when he was coaching the New England Patriots. Michael Lombardi wrote in Gridiron Genius that “If the Patriots could manage a drive at the end of the second quarter, that would keep the opposing offense off the field for almost an hour of real time.”

The Wall Street Journal reported in a story earlier this year that teams that win the middle eight have a 70% chance of winning the game.

SDSU’s 36-13 loss to Washington State turned during the middle eight, with the Cougars scoring a safety and touchdown in the final two minutes of the second quarter, then adding another touchdown with the opening possession of the third quarter.

So when the Aztecs and Bears come out for the coin toss, make a note of which team will get the ball to start the second half. Then watch and see what that team does as the second quarter is winding down. It could be instructive.

San Diego State (1-1) vs. Cal (3-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Snapdragon Stadium

TV: CBS Sports Network

Radio: 760-AM