What team will be the biggest threat to top-ranked Southern California in the Pac-10 Conference will be decided Saturday afternoon in Eugene, Ore., when 4-0 teams California and Oregon clash.
Expect points, points and points in this game. Oregon is-6 on WagerWeb.com, but the team with the ball last may well take this game.
No. 6 California has scored at least 34 points in each of its four wins, totaling 166-- 13th-most in Division I-A. Among Pac-10 teams, only No.11 Oregon has more points, as the Ducks are tied for seventh in the nation with 194.
Both also have impressive non-conference wins, with Cal routing Tennessee and the Ducks doing the same to Michigan.
Quarterback Nate Longshore leads a balanced Bears offense that is averaging 432.5 yards per game (213.0 through the air and 219.5 on the ground). Longshore has completed 63.3 percent of his attempts, for 852 yards, with five TDs and just two picks.
Lavelle Hawkins (25 receptions, for 315 yards and two TDs) has been the top threat downfield, but All-American DeSean Jackson (17 receptions, for 151 yards) is the true game-breaker, including returning kicks. Running back Justin Forsett has emerged as one of the nation's top runners, averaging 5.7 yards per carry, 121.0 yards per game and with seven TDs.
"I feel pretty sure what our potential can be, but no, we haven't reached that yet," said Cal coach Jeff Tedford, Oregon's offensive coordinator from 1998-2001. "We've shown flashes at times, but we're not there yet."Defense is a bit of a concern for Cal, as it is allowing 24.5 ppg this year. The rush defense has been solid, (102.5 ypg), but the pass defense has not (258.5 ypg).
Oregon, meanwhile, will be facing its first real test after winning each of its first four games by at least three touchdowns. The Ducks trailed by as many as 10 points last Saturday against Stanford but scored the last 34 to pull away for a 55-31 victory - matching their highest point total since Nov. 19, 2005.
"We had to get a gut check at halftime," coach Mike Bellotti said. "We turned the ball over and Stanford took advantage. They moved the ball. In the second half we played inspired. I'm pleased with the way we came back and maintained our poise."
The Ducks have been even better than Cal on offense, averaging 48.5 ppg and 536.8 yards of offense, led by QB Dennis Dixon.
Junior tailback Jonathan Stewart is seventh in the nation in all- purpose yards (205.8 ypg) and 11th in rushing (125.8 ypg), while Dixon is averaging 6.1 yards per carry with four touchdowns. Oh, he can throw, too, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes, with 11 TDs and no interceptions. Dickson is currently fourth nationally with a 188.1 passer rating.
The Ducks have lost two of the last three games in the series, but have won seven straight home games against the Bears since a 20-6 defeat in 1987. Cal leads Oregon 37-30-2 all-time.
The lowdown: This could be one of the more entertaining games of the season, but home-field advantage will be the difference for the Ducks.
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