By Pat Taggart, College Football Staff Writer
GAME NOTES: An intriguing Pac-10 matchup pits the 23rd-ranked California Golden Bears against the 15th-ranked Oregon Ducks. Cal is coming off its only bye week of the season, so the squad should certainly be well rested. The team's most recent outing on October 22nd resulted in a 42-38 victory over Washington State, and that triumph snapped a two-game skid. The final stretch for the Golden Bears is brutal, as they must take on top-ranked USC and then Stanford on the road after this matchup with the Ducks. Speaking of Oregon, it is also coming off a bye week and must finish the season without its injured leader under center. The Ducks lost senior quarterback Kellen Clemens to a fractured ankle, and it remains to be seen if inexperienced sophomore Dennis Dixon can lead the way. Oregon is currently riding a four-game winning streak that began after the team's only loss, a lopsided thumping by top-ranked USC. The Golden Bears lead the all-tine series with the Ducks, 36-29-2, and defeated Oregon 28-27 last year in Berkeley.
In the win over Washington State, Cal sophomore tailbacks Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett both rushed for over 100 yards for the second time this season. Lynch finished with a career-high 160 yards on 25 carries, while Forsett had 111 yards on 12 attempts. As for the passing attack, Joe Ayoob completed 19- of-35 attempts for 274 yards with four touchdowns, overshadowing the fact that he was picked off twice. Overall this season, Cal is averaging 37.9 ppg and 462.6 total ypg, proof of its explosiveness at the offensive end. The ground attack has been sensational, accounting for 247 ypg and a staggering 6.0 ypc. Forsett has totaled 867 yards to date, and his average of 8.2 ypc is mind- blowing. As for Lynch, he is second on the squad with 653 yards. The offense has registered 37 touchdowns to date, with 19 on the ground and 18 through the air. Ayoob has only completed 50.7 percent of his passes, but he has thrown for 1,521 yards with 15 touchdowns and only seven picks. Rather than rely on one receiver, Cal has been able to spread the ball around effectively.
Cal is only allowing 20.1 ppg and 351.9 total ypg this season, so there is a solid defense to complement the offense. It should be pointed out, however, that the defensive unit has been a bit inconsistent at times. For example, the Golden Bears shut out Arizona and then surrendered 47 points the next week to UCLA. Foes are gaining just 3.5 ypc on the ground against Cal, which has been extremely tough against the run. The pass defense can be proud of the fact that it has surrendered only nine touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Desmond Bishop has registered 54 tackles to lead Cal this season, and Daymeion Hughes has four interceptions to his credit. Judging by the 38 points surrendered to Washington State in the most recent outing, it is fair to say that Cal had one of its worst defensive games of the season. The Bears allowed five passing touchdowns and 422 yards through the air, and they watched as WSU's top receiver caught three long scoring passes in the third quarter alone.
Clemens suffered his injury in the third quarter of Oregon's win over Arizona, and his career as a Duck is over. Now the team must rally around Dixon, who has completed 15-of-20 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown this season and is coming off a concussion. One player who will certainly make the transition easier for Dixon is standout receiver Demetrius Williams, who leads the squad with 46 catches for 895 yards and eight touchdowns. Clearly, those numbers make him a strong All-America candidate. While the passing game of Oregon accounts for 327.6 total ypg, the ground attack contributes a lackluster 137.1 ypg and 3.8 ypc. Clemens will be nearly impossible to replace, as he completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,406 yards with 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. The Ducks scored four touchdowns against Arizona in the most recent win, but one came on special teams and the other was a defensive score. The lack of a legitimate running threat hurt Oregon, as 67 yards on 32 carries is simply unacceptable. A more balanced attack will be needed with Dixon under center.
Oregon ranks third in the Pac-10 in total defense, allowing 359.8 ypg, and the Ducks are third in the league in rushing defense (121.4 ypg). While the team has given up 17 passing touchdowns as compared to seven scores on the ground, the total of 13 interceptions posted thus far is impressive. Keep an eye on senior safety Anthony Trucks, as he leads the Pac-10 with eight sacks thanks to his tremendous quickness and anticipation. He has made 61 tackles and forced three fumbles this year. Oregon surrendered 411 total yards to Arizona and three touchdowns, although the Ducks were able to blank the Wildcats over the game's final 23 minutes.
This game will be a difficult one for Oregon to win. Clemens has been one of the top quarterbacks nationally this season, and Dixon will not be able to match his production right away. Expect Cal to force the Ducks to run the ball, something they have been unable to do with success thus far.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: California 31, Oregon 24
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