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The Utah Utes aren't the only team struggling on offense — the Cal Bears have had their own issues, such as the 21-3 loss against Stanford in which Cal managed just 3 yards on the ground with 28 carries.

Cal back Isi Sofele, a graduate of Cottonwood High, had a season-low 13 yards on 10 carries.

He is averaging 54 yards a game and 4.4 yards a carry.

The Bears are averaging 25.6 points, which ranks 78th nationally. The Utes rank 105th, averaging 20.1.

Cal coach Jeff Tedford said his team knows it has to learn from bad outings like the one it had against Stanford but that he isn't harping on the mistakes made.

"We look at what we need to do fundamentally to improve and we work on it," he said. "No doubt it was a bad performance offensively. The only thing to do is look at it and what we did wrong and go out and improve and work at it."

While Cal's offense might not be as dangerous as some of the ones the Utes have faced recently, Utah still has respect for it, particularly for receiver Keenan Allen, who is averaging seven catches for 84.5 yards a game.

"They are a dangerous team," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "They just haven't put it all together."

We're still good

Whittingham repeated his belief that the Utes are an improved team from a year ago, even though the Utes are in danger of failing to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2002.

Asked if the team has enough leaders, Whittingham said the Utes did and said he wasn't worried about the Utes failing in that department.

"There is no lack of effort and no lack of focus," he said. "Monday through Friday, these guys handle their business. We just need to be better on Saturdays."

Just the basics

Saturday's game is a blackout for the Utes, who will wear black uniforms. The Utes, who are 3-1 in blackout games, donned black helmets earlier this year.

While he said blackout games are fun for the fans and players, Whittingham isn't one to get caught up in the fashion aspect of football.

During his days at BYU, his uniform options were rather limited.

"We had two," he said. "Same pair of pants, two different shirts. It was basic back then."