The California football team may not intimidate USC with its recent play – losing three of its last four games – but returning to Memorial Stadium might.
It is where Cal (6-3 overall, 3-3 Pacific-10 Conference) unceremoniously ruined USC’s hopes of a perfect season in 2003. The difference this time is USC (9-0, 6-0) brings a more experienced Matt Leinart and running backs Reggie Bush and LenDale White.
USC since then has compiled a 31-game winning streak, 29 straight weeks as the Associated Press poll’s top team and 21 straight Pac-10 Conference wins.
ABC is televising the game at 12:30 p.m.
“We know our next three games aren’t easy by any means. And of course … we have Cal,” Leinart said of USC’s schedule including home games with Fresno State and cross-town rival UCLA. “And we all remember what happened last time we were up there.”
With its 27-20 overtime loss to Oregon, Cal enters as a distinct underdog. Three of its last four losses came by a combined 17 points. In each game, Cal either had a fourth-quarter lead or were tied at the end of regulation.
The running back tandem of Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett is averaging more than 200 yards combined per game – it’s Cal’s passing offense run by quarterback Joe Ayoob that is struggling.
Ayoob completed only 10 of 26 passes for 88 yards against Oregon with just four completions to wide receivers. He also had three interceptions and a fumble.
Ayoob had an opportunity for a possible game-tying touchdown in overtime, but overthrew tight end David Gray.
While Cal is no longer ranked, USC reaffirmed its dominance with a 51-21 rout of visiting Stanford last weekend. Against a revitalized Stanford team, winners of three of four games entering the game, the Cardinal put up little resistance. USC scored on its first seven possessions and led 44-7 at halftime.
The problem, if anything, came in the second half when Stanford put together three successful touchdown scoring drives.
Going up against Lynch and Forsett, USC’s defense is averaging 111.3 yards allowed per game, but allowed Stanford to gain 141 yards on 35 carries.
“We played well, but we’re still a work in progress … right now the defense is playing off the offense. If they hold their own, that would be great,” USC head coach Pete Carroll said.
Lynch ran for 189 yards on 25 carries against Oregon with Forsett only carrying the ball six times for 32 yards and well off his average of 99.9 yards per game. Against USC, Cal will need strong performances from wide receivers that struggled against Oregon.
The steady rain at Oregon’s Autzen Stadium and Ayoob’s performance played factor, but Cal head coach Jeff Tedford said there were plenty of opportunities.
“It’s unlike us to drop that many balls,” Tedford said.
Cal now faces a greater challenge than No. 11 Oregon in trying disrupting a USC team trying for its third consecutive national championship. With the game at home, Cal has history on its side.
“USC is a great team, number one in the nation,” Cal wide receiver DeSean Jackson said. “Everyone needs to come out with high intensity and hopefully we’ll get a win.”

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