(Sports Network) - Sitting in the driver's seat in the Pac-10, the 10th- ranked California Golden Bears will attempt to fortify their position atop the league standings, as they play host to UCLA in Berkeley this weekend. Jeff Tedford's team is the only unbeaten in Pac-10 play, moving to 5-0 with a 31-24 overtime win against Washington back on October 21st. The team was idle a week ago, but captured sole position of first place in the league thanks to USC's loss to Oregon State. The Bears dropped their season-opener at Tennessee, but have roared back with seven straight wins. The Bruins are a mere 4-4 on the season and an even worse 2-3 in Pac-10 play. Karl Dorrell's squad has dropped three straight games and enters this contest after a 37-15 pasting at the hands of Washington State last weekend. UCLA leads the all-time series with California, 48-26-1 and won last year's matchup, 47-40. These two teams have split the last six meetings.
Although UCLA's offense has some balance, the team is putting up just 321.2 yards of total offense. The team is netting 120.2 yards per game rushing and another 201 yards passing. The result has been a scoring average of 23.2 ppg. Quarterback Patrick Cowan has taken over under center for an injured Ben Olson and has played to mixed reviews, completing 53 percent of his passes, for 786 yards, with five TDs and four INTs. The ball has been spread around in the vertical game, with eight players posting double-digit receptions. Junior Taylor leads the way with just 21 receptions, for 230 yards and two TDs. The ground game is paced by tailback Chris Markey and his 80.4 ypg. Markey has amassed 643 yards on the season on 5.1 yards per carry.
The rush defense for UCLA has been outstanding, with opponents averaging just 82.1 yards per game (2.6 ypc). In addition, the unit has allowed just four rushing TDs this season. With 19 takeaways and 26 sacks, this is a defense that flies around the ball. Leading the way in that category are rush ends Justin Hickman and Bruce Davis. The pair have abused QBs, combining for 18 sacks on the season. Hickman leads the team in both TFLs (16.5 ) and sacks (10.5), with Davis ranking second in both categories (12.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks). Cornerbacks Trey Brown (three INTs) and Alterraun Verner (two INTs) have been the most active in terms of defending the pass downfield, while strong safety Chris Horton (team-high 42.5 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, two INTs, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble) has done a little bit of everything.
UCLA's defense will be tested by a California offense that is getting it done in every facet of the game. The Golden Bears are averaging a robust 36.1 ppg (ninth nationally), ranking 28th nationally in rushing (171.4 ypg) and 13th in passing (268.5 ypg). Sophomore Nate Longshore certainly has a bright future in Tedford's offense. Longshore has completed 62.5 percent of his passes this year, for 1,877 yards with 17 TDs and seven interceptions. All-American candidate DeSean Jackson is the playmaker on the outside. The explosive wideout has hauled in 36 balls, for 622 yards and eight TDs. He has also returned two punts for scores. The ground game rests on the capable shoulders of All- American candidate Marshawn Lynch, who is netting nearly seven yards per carry (6.9). Lynch has rushed for 907 yards this year with eight TDs.
The defensive effort for Cal has not matched the offensive success, but has not really cost the team in the win column outside of the season-opener in Knoxville. Cal is allowing 19.1 ppg this year and is giving up generous yardage both on the ground (129.4 ypg) and through the air (246.5 ypg). Still, it is a unit that relies on big plays and no one player gets the job done better than All-American candidate Daymeion Hughes, who has recorded a whopping seven interceptions this year. The team as a whole has 18 INTs and an additional five fumble recoveries to its credit. Senior linebacker Desmond Bishop has been a terror in the middle, leading team in tackles (75) and TFLs (12). Linebacker Zack Follett and end Nu'u Tafisi are tied for the team-lead in sacks with 3.5 each.
California has finally reached the pinnacle of the Pac-10, but must remain focused, especially against a UCLA team hungry for some success. UCLA's defense may cause some problems early for Cal, but in the end, the Golden Bears' skill positions will provide the difference in the game.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: California 34, UCLA 20
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