GAME NOTES: A top-25 matchup within the Pac-10 takes place in Berkeley this weekend, as the 21st-ranked California Golden Bears open league play by hosting the 22nd-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils. Jeff Tedford's Bears began the season on a down note, as they were completely dominated at Tennessee (35-18). However, to the team's credit, it has responded with back-to-back lopsided wins, routing Minnesota (42-17) and Portland State (42-16) in consecutive weeks. Dirk Koetter's Sun Devils have looked the part of a Pac-10 contender this season, jumping out to a 3-0 start with easy victories over Northern Arizona (34-14), Nevada (52-21) and most recently, Colorado (21-3). These are the two teams that will give USC the most trouble in terms of winning the conference crown, so this is a crucial early season bout. The Sun Devils are clinging to a 13-12 advantage in the all-time series with Cal, but the Golden Bears have closed the gap with three straight wins in the series, including a 27-0 blanking of ASU in the last meeting in 2004.
The Sun Devils got a struggling Colorado program last week and made light work of the Buffaloes. Quarterback Rudy Carpenter wasn't on top of his game (21- of-37 with two interceptions), but still threw for two TDs in a tilt that was all California following a first quarter field goal by Colorado. Carpenter led an offense that chewed up 430 yards. Carpenter has been much better on the season, completing 63.2 percent of his passes, for 842 yards, with nine TDs. He has spread the wealth this year, with seven different players scoring on TD strikes. However, the top targets in the vertical game have been Zach Miller (14 receptions, for 145 yards and two TDs) and Rudy Burgess (10 receptions, for 166 yards). Although this is an offense formed around Carpenter, ASU has the ability to move the ball on the ground as well. It has been a group effort, with tailbacks Ryan Torain (5.3 ypc) and Keegan Herring (6.3 ypc) leading the charge. Arizona State should be able to move the ball against California this week, as the team is netting 36.0 ppg, on a gaudy 443.7 yards of total offense. The passing attack ranks second in the conference at 282.0 ypg.
Defensively, ASU has been solid, including a dominant performance against Colorado this past week. On the year, the team is yielding just 12.7 ppg, while performing well against both the run (104.3 ypg, 2.6 ypc) and the pass (174.3 ypg). Few teams in the country are making as many big defensive plays as Arizona State. The numbers are beginning to pile up after three games, with the unit recording 32 TFLs, 18 sacks and eight turnovers. The front seven have been lethal, led by the play of linebackers Derron Ware and Beau Manutai and rush end Dexter Davis. Ware and Manutai are tied for the team-lead in tackles (15), but Ware has been unstoppable in pursuit upfield, leading the team in both TFLs (6.0) and sacks (4.0). Davis (14 tackles) is the top player along the line, with four TFLs and a pair of sacks. Chris Baloney (10 tackles) leads the secondary with two INTs.
The high-powered California offense got off to a rocky start in Knoxville in the season-opener, but has lived up to expectations ever since. Quarterback Nate Longshore has settled into the role of starter, completing 68.5 percent of his passes in the last two games, for 525 yards, with six TDs and just one interception. Sophomore DeSean Jackson has been the go-to-guy in the vertical game and currently ranks as one of the top performers in the nation, with 16 receptions, for 304 yards and five TDs (101.3 ypg). Jackson is the top option, but others downfield include juniors Lavelle Hawkins (13 receptions, for 180 yards) and Robert Jordan (10 catches, for 131 yards and one TD). The passing game, which leads the Pac-10 at 293.7 ypg, is made more potent thanks to the rushing exploits of All-American candidate Marshawn Lynch. The junior tailback played just over one quarter last weekend against Portland State (112 yards and a career-long 71-yard TD run), but has still rolled up 325 yards and three TDs on the season, averaging a gaudy 7.2 yards per carry.
The California defense looked ordinary in the season-opening loss to Tennessee, but has shored things up since. The team is yielding 379.7 yards per game, but is full of big play potential. The strength of the defense may just be in the secondary, where safety Thomas DeCoud and cornerback Daymeion Hughes roam. DeCoud currently leads the team in tackles with 23 total stops, including 20 of the solo variety. Hughes (11 tackles) is rarely out of position and currently leads the Pac-10 with three interceptions. Senior tackle Brandon Mebane will draw the attention of opposing offensive coordinators, as the 6-3, 295-pounder is disruptive in the middle of the line, with 10 total tackles, four TFLs and two sacks thus far. Senior middle linebacker Desmond Bishop (20 tackles, one fumble recovery) must also be accounted for.
This game has the feel of a Pac-10 shootout. The top two passing teams in the conference will go toe-to-toe in what should be an entertaining offensive game throughout. The slight edge has to go to the Bears, who get this game at home and could grind things out a bit with Lynch on the ground.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: California 34, Arizona State 31
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