Just like Oregon, No. 23 California enters today’s game well-rested after a bye week on the heels of a close victory. The Golden Bears were last seen narrowly dodging an upset by Washington State at Memorial Stadium with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Joe Ayoob to Lavelle Hawkins with just less than two minutes left in regulation for a 42-38 win.
It was the sixth game this year in which Cal (6-2 overall, 3-2 conference) has scored more than 30 points and the fifth time it has put up more than 40. The Golden Bears’ offense is at times explosive with Ayoob throwing out of the pocket or handing off to tailback Marshawn Lynch. Together they create a two-pronged threat in the backfield as the heart and soul of the offense.
Ayoob finished throwing 19 of 35 for 274 yards and four touchdowns against the Cougars, but also had two interceptions to his name. He was sacked three times and will need a better outing from his offensive line against the Ducks in order to stay comfortable and make good decisions. The Cal offensive line did a number on the Washington State rush defense, helping Lynch carry for 160 yards.
Cal’s offense once again had to score big and score late to put them past another conference opponent in light of its inconsistent defense. The final box score must have been an eyesore for head coach Jeff Tedford, whose Golden Bears surrendered 28 points in the second half en route to allowing close to six touchdowns for the second time this year against a Pacific-10 Conference foe. Cal scored 14 in the final frame, marking the biggest fourth-quarter comeback victory in the four-year Tedford era.
Second to USC
Cal boasts the nation’s seventh-best rushing game, which is second in the Pac-10 in rushing yards behind No. 1 USC. Its tandem of sophomore tailbacks Lynch and Justin Forsett has twice eclipsed the 100-yard mark in the same game and both players are on pace to rush for more than 1,000 yards this season. They may not be as renowned as Reggie Bush and LenDale White of the Trojans, but they represent the most dangerous match on the ground Oregon will face for the remainder of the season.
Dumbfounding defense
With all of the critical scores the Cal defense has given up this season, it is still second in the Pac-10 in total defense. The opposition has etched only 2,815 total yards against the Golden Bears, scoring a conference-low 17 touchdowns, but the timing of those touchdowns has been Cal’s downfall. Cal’s opponents have put 81 points on the scoreboard in the second half this year, which is the defense’s weakest half of play. Both UCLA and Oregon State came from behind against Cal breaking the goal line late in the game in consecutive weeks leading to Cal’s outing with Washington State.
A grounded air attack
Ayoob may have had a decent outing against Washington State, but he has led Cal to a ninth-place standing in the Pac-10 in passing offense. The Golden Bears have scored 18 touchdowns through the air, but have amassed only 1,725 passing yards. Next to Stanford, their passing offense’s 215.6 yards per game ranks last in the conference.
Injury report
Three of Cal’s starters were sidelined with injuries in its win over Washington State. Senior offensive tackle Ryan O’Callaghan sat out with a concussion as did wide receivers Robert Jordan and DeSean Jackson with a collarbone and shoulder injury, respectively. It is unknown whether they or defensive tackle Brandon Mebane will see action Saturday against the Ducks. Mebane suffered a sprained ankle against the Cougars and saw limited play.

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