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Of the three games standing in Oregon’s way of a perfect regular season, this one might appear to be the easiest.
Then again, there’s reason to believe it’s far from a sure win.
After their latest blowout victory was far from impressive, the top-ranked Ducks might not be able to afford another slow start Saturday night in a matchup with California and the Pac-10’s top-ranked defense.
This game being in Berkeley could give the Golden Bears a fighting chance against the BCS-leading Ducks (9-0, 6-0), who top the nation with 54.7 points and 567.2 yards per game. California (5-4, 3-3) has gone 4-0 at home while limiting opponents to 34 points, and none of those wins were by fewer than 28.
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Plus, Oregon has yet to beat a Jeff Tedford-coached Cal team at Memorial Stadium, losing all three visits since he quit as Ducks offensive coordinator to take over the Bears in 2002. Oregon was ranked for two of those losses and didn’t score more than 27 points in any of the three - it’s scored at least 42 in every game this season.
“Clearly that is a lot of speed coming over here and I am excited to see what their offensive line can handle,” said defensive lineman Cameron Jordan, who has 5 1/2 of Cal’s conference-best 28 sacks. “They are No. 1. I’d like to put them to the test.”
Granted, the Bears’ defense has had some weak efforts, allowing a combined 100 points in losses at Nevada and Southern California. However, that unit, giving up a conference-low 299.6 yards per game, also has shown the ability to step up in big games.
The Bears held then-No. 14 Arizona to what remains its fewest points and yards (311) this season but lost 10-9 on Sept. 25. Two weeks later, Cal earned a 35-7 victory over a UCLA team that had won three straight - two versus ranked foes - while averaging 35.7 points.
The only ranked team left on Oregon’s schedule is next week’s home game against the No. 18 Wildcats. The Ducks close the regular season at archrival Oregon State, unbeaten at home, and three of the last four Civil War games have gone down to the wire.
“Some teams are going to come out and play hard just like we do,” quarterback Darron Thomas said. “We feel the pressure a little bit, but coach (Chip) Kelly puts us in the right places to make plays.”
The Ducks didn’t make many good ones early last Saturday, failing to score in the first quarter for the first time all season despite hosting Washington - the Pac-10’s second-worst defense. Oregon only led by nine late in the third quarter before winning 53-16, overcoming 10 penalties for 107 yards.
“We have to eliminate the mistakes,” running back Kenjon Barner said. “We just have to come out and play Oregon football and not make petty and minor mistakes.”
Barner ran for 60 yards and a touchdown after missing two games with a concussion, but he’ll continue taking a back seat to LaMichael James.
Leading the nation with 166.4 rushing yards per game and 18 touchdowns, James had three TDs last Saturday and ran for 121 yards - his fewest since September.
James had 118 of the Ducks’ 236 rushing yards in last season’s 42-3 home win over Cal. That remains the Bears’ most lopsided loss under Tedford.
“They’re an excellent, excellent football team. There’s no question about it,” Tedford said. “They’re deserving of the No. 1 ranking. They’ve proven that.”
Both teams have quarterback issues.
Cal starter Kevin Riley suffered a season-ending knee injury Oct. 30 at Oregon State. Junior Brock Mansion struggled in his first career start last Saturday despite winning, going 12 of 24 for 171 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a 20-13 victory at Washington State.
Oregon lost backup quarterback and fifth-year senior Nate Costa for the season to a knee injury last Saturday. That leaves freshman Bryan Bennett, who has never taken a snap, as the backup to Thomas - the Pac-10’s second-rated passer.
Cal, allowing a conference-low 177.7 passing yards per game, is 0-10 against top-ranked teams.
Then again, there’s reason to believe it’s far from a sure win.
After their latest blowout victory was far from impressive, the top-ranked Ducks might not be able to afford another slow start Saturday night in a matchup with California and the Pac-10’s top-ranked defense.
This game being in Berkeley could give the Golden Bears a fighting chance against the BCS-leading Ducks (9-0, 6-0), who top the nation with 54.7 points and 567.2 yards per game. California (5-4, 3-3) has gone 4-0 at home while limiting opponents to 34 points, and none of those wins were by fewer than 28.
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Plus, Oregon has yet to beat a Jeff Tedford-coached Cal team at Memorial Stadium, losing all three visits since he quit as Ducks offensive coordinator to take over the Bears in 2002. Oregon was ranked for two of those losses and didn’t score more than 27 points in any of the three - it’s scored at least 42 in every game this season.
“Clearly that is a lot of speed coming over here and I am excited to see what their offensive line can handle,” said defensive lineman Cameron Jordan, who has 5 1/2 of Cal’s conference-best 28 sacks. “They are No. 1. I’d like to put them to the test.”
Granted, the Bears’ defense has had some weak efforts, allowing a combined 100 points in losses at Nevada and Southern California. However, that unit, giving up a conference-low 299.6 yards per game, also has shown the ability to step up in big games.
The Bears held then-No. 14 Arizona to what remains its fewest points and yards (311) this season but lost 10-9 on Sept. 25. Two weeks later, Cal earned a 35-7 victory over a UCLA team that had won three straight - two versus ranked foes - while averaging 35.7 points.
The only ranked team left on Oregon’s schedule is next week’s home game against the No. 18 Wildcats. The Ducks close the regular season at archrival Oregon State, unbeaten at home, and three of the last four Civil War games have gone down to the wire.
“Some teams are going to come out and play hard just like we do,” quarterback Darron Thomas said. “We feel the pressure a little bit, but coach (Chip) Kelly puts us in the right places to make plays.”
The Ducks didn’t make many good ones early last Saturday, failing to score in the first quarter for the first time all season despite hosting Washington - the Pac-10’s second-worst defense. Oregon only led by nine late in the third quarter before winning 53-16, overcoming 10 penalties for 107 yards.
“We have to eliminate the mistakes,” running back Kenjon Barner said. “We just have to come out and play Oregon football and not make petty and minor mistakes.”
Barner ran for 60 yards and a touchdown after missing two games with a concussion, but he’ll continue taking a back seat to LaMichael James.
Leading the nation with 166.4 rushing yards per game and 18 touchdowns, James had three TDs last Saturday and ran for 121 yards - his fewest since September.
James had 118 of the Ducks’ 236 rushing yards in last season’s 42-3 home win over Cal. That remains the Bears’ most lopsided loss under Tedford.
“They’re an excellent, excellent football team. There’s no question about it,” Tedford said. “They’re deserving of the No. 1 ranking. They’ve proven that.”
Both teams have quarterback issues.
Cal starter Kevin Riley suffered a season-ending knee injury Oct. 30 at Oregon State. Junior Brock Mansion struggled in his first career start last Saturday despite winning, going 12 of 24 for 171 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a 20-13 victory at Washington State.
Oregon lost backup quarterback and fifth-year senior Nate Costa for the season to a knee injury last Saturday. That leaves freshman Bryan Bennett, who has never taken a snap, as the backup to Thomas - the Pac-10’s second-rated passer.
Cal, allowing a conference-low 177.7 passing yards per game, is 0-10 against top-ranked teams.
