Berkeley, CA (Sports Network) - A top-25 battle takes place in Berkeley this weekend, as the 24th-ranked California Golden Bears play host to the 12th- ranked USC Trojans. At the beginning of the season people thought this game would have Pac-10 title implications. However, both the Golden Bears and Trojans are on the outside looking in at Pac-10 supremacy, as they have both faltered mid-season. Jeff Tedford's Golden Bears opened the season with five straight wins, but then proceeded to lose three straight in-conference, before finally landing back in the win column last week with a 20-17 victory over Washington State. With the win, California moved to 6-3 overall and 3-3 in conference play. Pete Carroll's Trojans have dropped league tilts to Stanford and Oregon, but rallied last week to knock off Oregon State (24-3) and in the process, capture the 750th victory in school history. In addition, USC moved to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in league action. The series favors USC, 59-30-5 (including two rugby games played in 1912 and 1913). The Trojans have won five of the last six meetings. Last year, USC captured a 23-9 victory to win its unprecedented fifth straight Pac-10 title.
Quarterback John David Booty threw for just 157 yards, but two touchdowns, in leading the Trojans to a 24-3 win over Oregon State last weekend. Booty, who missed time this year due to injury, will try to close out the season strong. There is a ton of offensive talent to help him with that, as USC is averaging a steady 31.4 ppg, on 412.0 yards of total offense. The team employs a good mix of the run (179.7 ypg) and the pass (232.3 ypg) to get the job done. Mark Sanchez filled in for Booty when the starter was sidelined, but Booty is clearly the leader of this offense. He has completed 63.5 percent of his passes in 2007, with 14 TDs and eight INTs. The top targets downfield, regardless of who is under center, are TE Fred Davis (40 receptions, for 580 yards and five TDs) and WR Patrick Turner (40 receptions, for 451 yards and three TDs). Tailbacks Chauncey Washington and Stafon Johnson have done a decent job on the ground. Washington leads the team with 528 yards and seven TDs on the year. Johnson is averaging 7.5 yards per carry and has amassed 471 yards and four scores.
Defensively, USC is still one of the better units in the country. They showed it against Oregon State, holding the Beavers to a mere three points and 176 yards of total offense. On the year, the numbers are solid, with the team yielding 15.9 ppg and 253.3 yards of total offense (third nationally). It hasn't been a lot of big plays that has fueled the USC defensive attack this year, as the team has collected just 16 takeaways in the first nine games. A solid pass rush has been a plus though, with USC recording 29 sacks. Leading the way in that category are All-American candidate Sedrick Ellis (7.5 sacks) in the middle of the line and Lawrence Jackson (5.5 sacks) on the outside. A solid LB corps is highlighted by Keith Rivers (team-high 66 tackles) and Rey Maualuga (59 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks). The secondary is anchored by safety Kevin Ellison (39 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, one INT).
It was tailback Justin Forsett that put the team on his back against Washington State, as he rushed for 132 yards and two TDs last week, snapping Cal's ugly three-game losing streak. Forsett has been one of the better rushers in the conference this year and with his performance against the Cougars, eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season. He is averaging nearly five yards per carry (4.8) and has amassed 1,005 yards and 12 TDs on the year. He makes QB Nate Longshore's job a bit easier, as the veteran signal-caller has had a solid season as well. Longshore has completed 62.5 percent of his passes in 2007, leading to 1,857 yards, with 11 TDs. Statistically, WR Lavelle Hawkins (53 receptions, for 681 yards and four TDs) is the top downfield threat, but there isn't a more dangerous weapon in college football than All- American DeSean Jackson. A threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball, Jackson has hauled in 51 balls, for 586 yards and five TDs. He is also regarded as the top return man in college football.
Unfortunately, California's defense has not lived up to expectations in 2007. Like a lot of Pac-10 stop units, the Golden Bears have been generous in terms of yardage allowed. On the year, the team is giving up 25.7 ppg, while allowing teams to pick up 125.9 ypg on the ground and 249.0 ypg through the air. The team does have 20 forced turnovers, but just 18 sacks in nine games. LB Anthony Felder paces the team in tackles with 86 stops. He is followed closely by fellow LB Worrell Williams (82 tackles), who leads the team with 7.5 TFLs. Zack Follett (39 tackles) rounds out the LB corps, and leads the team in sacks with 3.5.
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