No. 1 Oregon (9-0, 6-0 Pac-10) at California (5-4, 3-3), 7:30 p.m. (Versus)
Line: Oregon by 19 1/2.
Series Record: California leads 39-31-2.
Last Meeting: 2009, Oregon 42-3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Ducks are looking to maintain their spot at the top of the polls and the BCS rankings with a win. Oregon can even clinch the Pac-10 title if Stanford, Oregon State and Arizona all lose. The Golden Bears need a win to become bowl eligible for the eighth straight season.
KEY MATCHUP
Oregon RB LaMichael James vs. the Cal front seven. LB Mike Mohamed and DE Cameron Jordan leads the Pac-10’s top defense in terms of yards allowed with 299.6 per game. But the Bears haven’t faced an offense quite like the Ducks. Oregon leads the nation in scoring at 54.7 points and has not been held under 40 all season. The Ducks are also tops in total yardage.
FACTS & FIGURES
Oregon: DB Cliff Harris leads the Pac-10 with five interceptions, as well as nine pass breakups. He’s extremely dangerous with the ball, returning one of those interceptions for a touchdown, and averaging 21.7 yards per punt return with three more scores.
California: QB Brock Mansion struggled in his first start in place of the injured Kevin Riley last week at Washington State. He completed 12 of 24 passes for 171 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, but got a 20-13 win. He’ll need to be much better this week.
FACTS & FIGURES
With one more win, the Oregon senior class will be the winningest in school history with 39. … Of Oregon’s 58 touchdown drives, 29 have taken five plays or fewer. … The Ducks have outscored the opposition 87-7 in the fourth quarter this season. … James needs 15 yards rushing to pass Jonathan Stewart for second place all-time at Oregon. He is 420 from breaking Derek Loville’s school mark of 3,296. … Cal is 0-10 against teams ranked No. 1. The most recent loss came at home in 2005 against USC. … The Bears are undefeated at home this season, outscoring the opposition 189-34 in four games.
