The story of Oregon versus California, in recent years, has been about similarities. The Ducks and Bears seem to share coaching staffs. They recruit the same type of athlete in the same areas. They have similar personalities as dynamic, offensive-minded teams. They were separated by about an inch last season (Oregon fans still remember that goal-line fumble). They even come into Saturday's game with nearly identical records.
But California has duplicated Oregon's success last season in forcing turnovers, and it has done it in a dramatically different way: The Golden Bears run a 3-4 defense, one that has been quite effective at stopping the run. "I'm not saying it's going to shut it down," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said of the Bears' chances against Oregon's running game, which ranks fifth in the nation (279 yards per game). "I hope we can limit the big plays, but yeah, I think it gives us a better chance." Last week, Cal held UCLA to 16 rushing yards -- granted, the Bruins didn't fare a whole lot better against Oregon (63 yards) -- but the Bears have held three other opponents under 100 yards on the ground. And when those frustrated teams turn to the pass, the Bears have had the answer there, too. Their 15 interceptions are five more than they had all of last season, six more than Oregon's total and puts them second in the nation (behind North Carolina).
In all, Cal has forced 19 turnovers, with a plus-10 turnover margin -- that's third-best in the nation (behind Minnesota and TCU). And nearly as fresh in the memory of Oregon fans as Cameron Colvin's goal-line fumble in last year's 31-24 loss is the implosion in Berkeley a year before that. In that game, a 45-24 loss to the Bears, Dennis Dixon threw an interception on the game's first play from scrimmage. Asked for a key to Saturday's game, Ducks (6-2, 4-1 Pac-10) coach Mike Bellotti didn't hesitate. "Don't throw an interception on the first play of the game ... on your own 5-yard line," Bellotti said. That would certainly help. But this game should come down to who can stop the other team's running game. Again, the similarities: Oregon's 30 rushing touchdowns lead the nation; Cal (5-2, 3-1) has one of the most potent running weapons around in Jahvid Best (107 yards per game).
Both have big, experienced lines led by excellent centers (Oregon's Max Unger and Cal's Alex Mack). Want another similarity? Cal's 6-foot-6, 330-pound left tackle, freshman Mitchell Schwartz, has the same size and parents as former Oregon tackle Geoff Schwartz. Is Cal's 3-4 defense the great equalizer in a series with so many similarities? Bellotti said it's a pretty good way to combat the spread rushing attack. The whole spread idea is based on spreading out a defense and putting a superior athlete on a defender, in space. Then, with a spread-option, the quarterback is free to take advantage of the open areas and the numbers advantage.
But in a 3-4, that defender in charge of stopping the quarterback -- and Oregon's Jeremiah Masoli (255 rushing yards in the past two games) has been fairly unstoppable -- is a quicker player. "The edge protector is not a defensive lineman now, it's a linebacker, who's maybe a little bit more used to playing in space," Bellotti said. "And athletically, they might match up better with a quarterback." So much of Oregon's offensive preparation this week has been about lining up against this 3-4. Most teams use the 3-4 occasionally -- as the Ducks do in passing situations -- but Cal is the first team to have it as its primary alignment. "For me, it's a lot different," said tackle C.E. Kaiser, who is facing the 3-4 for the first time and welcomed this week's walk-throughs as a much-needed primer. "It's going to be a lot different, but nothing we can't handle. I'm going to be pushing out the linebacker a lot, now that I think about it. We're working it out right now." Even center Max Unger, the fifth-year senior and leader of the offensive line, is having to watch a lot of video this week of the Bears' front.
"We haven't actually faced anything quite like this one," said Unger, who will have to be nose-to-nose with a defensive tackle for a change. "Stanford played a version of it, but Cal runs a lot of stuff." With all that linebacker speed to contend with, look for the Ducks to run right at Cal, with a steady diet of 230-pound LeGarrette Blount. "A lot of spread teams will go more to a power running game versus the 3-4, attacking the bubbles more directly, as opposed to running laterally," Bellotti said. Running every which way, the Ducks have rushed for at least 300 yards in five of their eight games. And if the Bears' 3-4 defense can hold Oregon down like it has some other rushing attacks this season, then that indeed would be a different story.
Notes: Bellotti said Jeremiah Masoli will start at quarterback on Saturday. He also said tight end Ed Dickson's inconsistent play is due to a lingering leg injury. After catching 20 passes in the first four games, Dickson has gone without a reception in three of the past four games. Malachi Lewis has been getting an increasing number of snaps at tight end. ... Bellotti said the team's health is good and that everyone who made the travel squad last week should be ready for Saturday. Backup rover Marvin Johnson (knee) is expected to be ready, too.
No comments:
Post a Comment