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JAMES DAY
In 2003, the University of California scored perhaps its biggest victory under coach Jeff Tedford, a 34-31 triple-overtime win against USC. The next week, Oregon State's Steven Jackson ran wild against the Bears in Berkeley, rushing for 227 yards in a 35-21 deflater. Two years later, the Beavers returned to Berkeley, with No. 10 Cal boasting a 5-1 record. This time it was Yvenson Bernard carrying the mail, chewing up 194 yards and leading OSU to a 23-20 victory. What about 2004 and 2006, I hear you cry? Well, Cal flattened the Beavers but good, by a combined score of 90-20.
The two teams meet Saturday at Cal, with the No. 2 Bears enjoying their highest ranking since two years before I was born (did they even have polls that long ago?). And the Beavers are 3-3 and just lost their best playmaker, Sammie Stroughter, for the season.
Another Cal rout? Another stunning Beaver upset? Here are some numbers that lead me to think the Beavers have a shot. OSU is giving up 43 yards per game on the ground, first in the nation. The Beavers also are second in the nation in sacks. Perfect! Shut down the run and then sack the snot out of quarterback Nate Longshore when he tries to pass. The only problem with that scenario is that the Bears' speedy receivers will severely test a banged-up OSU secondary, and Beavers QB Sean Canfield still is putting the vise grips on coach Mike Riley's mental health. If Canfield is interception-free, OSU has a shot. If he throws three, it could get ugly. I think it will be somewhere in between. Cal wins 31-17.
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