Contra Costa Times: Cal confident it can defeat USC

Jonathan Okanes

Link.

Worrell Williams plays for Cal's defense, so excuse him if he's confident. His reaction when he showed up at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday to start preparing for the Bears' showdown at No. 7 USC? Yawn. After another dominant performance by the Bears' defense in a 26-16 victory last week against Oregon, Williams doesn't appear to fear any opponent. "Today is the first time I walked into the stadium for SC week and not really said, 'We got SC this week,' " the linebacker said. "We came off a big victory last week. As a team, we're confident we can play with anybody."

Cal's defense will have to be at its best Saturday because the Trojans' defense hasn't yielded much. USC is allowing only 7.1 points and 211.6 yards per game, both tops in the nation. Cal's 23rd-ranked defense has given up 21 points and 300 yards per game. "We know our offense is going to be going up against a great defense, with all of their playmakers," Cal linebacker Zack Follett said. "We know every mistake we make on defense, or if they get a touchdown on an easy one — we really can't give those up against a team like SC."

For the third straight time, Cal's visit to the Los Angeles Coliseum will have significant implications. In 2004, both teams were ranked in the top 10 and the Bears fell 23-17. Two years ago, the Bears controlled their own destiny in the Pac-10 race but lost 23-9.  The 21st-ranked Bears once again control their own Pac-10

destiny. At 4-1 in the conference (6-2 overall), Cal is tied for second place with Oregon State, a half-game behind USC. If the Bears pull off the upset, it would set up a monumental showdown at Oregon State the following weekend, presuming the Beavers beat UCLA on the road Saturday. "It's going to be a really big game," Cal center Alex Mack said. "It's for the Pac-10 championship right now. We have to win this game and worry about the next one after that." Although Williams seems to be taking a businesslike approach, he concedes it's tough not to get caught up in the hype for the USC game.

"I'm hoping we can take this game as a game that we definitely need but don't get too overexcited to where you outthink or overdo," Williams said. "That's what happens a lot of times. "It's tough. The environment is wild. The lights are on. It's prime time. There are a whole bunch of athletes on the field. It's hard to not get hyped."  Follett said, "I'm glad we've set ourselves up in position to make this game count. It's exciting to go down to L.A. I remember going down in '06 and walking out under the lights. It felt like a dream out there. That's what every competitor dreams about, to play a game of this magnitude."

Cal quarterback Kevin Riley, who suffered a concussion against Oregon, didn't practice. Riley would have to practice today to have a chance to start Saturday, Coach Jeff Tedford said. Nate Longshore came off the bench and completed 13 of 27 passes for 136 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions, against the Ducks.

Chet Teofilo (ankle) probably is out again this week, meaning Donovan Edwards would get another start at right tackle.