College Football.com: (1) U-S-C (9-0) At California (6-3)

By Scott Haynes

GAME NOTES: The two-time defending champion and top-ranked USC Trojans put several lengthy win streaks on the line, as they travel to Berkeley to battle the California Golden Bears in a key Pac-10 tilt. Pete Carroll's Trojans have won 31 consecutive games overall, 21 Pac-10 games and 14 road tilts. In addition, USC has eclipsed the 50-point mark five times this season, including three straight games. That streak was extended last week, with a 51-21 rout of Stanford. With a victory over California, USC would move one step closer to yet another Pac-10 title. The Golden Bears started the season off with such promise, winning five straight games, but have since dropped three of their last four outings, including a 27-20 overtime setback at Oregon last weekend. This series dates back to 1915, with USC holding a 57-30-5 advantage all-time, including wins in three of the last four meetings.

USC made light work of Stanford last week, as Heisman winner Matt Leinart threw four first half touchdowns, en route to a 30-point victory. USC led 24-0 after the first quarter and never looked back. There isn't a more potent offense in the nation, with USC rolling up 593.6 yards of total offense, including a devastating passing attack that nets 344.1 yards per game. Leinart is on pace for a better statistical year than when he won the Heisman, as he has completed 66.8 percent of his passes thus far, for 2,771 yards, with 23 TDs and just six interceptions. It certainly helps to have the kind of weapons that Leinart has at his disposal. Downfield, his top targets are wideouts Dwayne Jarrett (65 catches, for 964 yards and 14 TDs) and Steve Smith (42 catches, for 822 yards and four scores), while tailbacks Reggie Bush and LenDale White are just as dangerous in the backfield. Bush is having his own Heisman campaign, averaging 8.3 yards per carry, while amassing 1,022 yards and 11 TDs on the ground. He has also hauled in 27 passes, for 311 yards and another two scores. White is one of the nation's top backs as well, netting 6.5 yards per carry, while running for 913 yards and 14 scores.

The USC defense has not had to be perfect this season and for that reason the unit has probably been overshadowed. Still, the Trojans have allowed just 348.3 yards per game, while recording 25 sacks and 23 takeaways. Linebacker Oscar Lua leads the team in tackles with 52. Defensive end Frostee Rucker (48 tackles) has been one of the more pleasant surprises on the defensive line this year, as he has stepped up to lead the team in TFLs (11), while ranking second in sacks (5.5). Fellow end Lawrence Jackson (33 tackles) has also made his presence felt in opposing backfields, with nine TFLs and a team-high six sacks. Coming into this game, USC will need to stop Cal's run and this team has done a good job in that area on the season, allowing just 111.3 ypg, on 3.2 ypc.

With the loss of their starting QB early on, Jeff Tedford and the Golden Bears have had to adapt. Junior Joe Ayoob has filled in under center, but has struggled, completing just 49.4 percent of his passes, for 1,609 yards, with 15 TDs and 10 interceptions. The real strength of the offense has been a ground assault that nets 243.2 yards per game (eighth nationally). Sophomores Justin Forsett and Marshawn Lynch are both closing in on the 1,000-yard mark. Forsett currently leads the team with 899 yards (8.0 ypc), with five TDs. Lynch isn't far behind with 842 yards (6.2 ypc), despite playing in two less games. Lynch has reached the end zone six times, while Ayoob has scored five rushing TDs. In all, Cal has scored 21 times on the ground this season and will attempt to continue to run the ball, despite the national champs coming to town.

The Golden Bears have not exactly thrived on defense this year and head into this contest against their toughest opposition to date, with some glaring weaknesses. The team is allowing 20.9 ppg this year, while showing a vulnerability to the pass (228.7 ypg). Junior middle linebacker Desmond Bishop leads the team in tackles with 63. He is followed by veteran safety Donnie McCleskey (49 tackles), who has five TFLs, two sacks and one interception. Pressure on opposing QBs has come up the middle, with defensive tackle Brandon Mebane recording a team-high five sacks. It will be interesting to see how much pressure the 6-3, 290-pound junior can get on Leinart this weekend. The Trojans are trying to close out yet another perfect season and a spot in the Rose Bowl. Don't expect them to overlook anyone down the stretch. While the Golden Bears are certainly capable of posting an upset, it isn't likely to occur.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: USC 37, California 20