Here’s a match-up. Both teams are four and zip, both are in the top 10 nationally (California #6 and Oregon #11) and both are one and zero in the mighty PAC-10.
The Golden Bears of California beat #15 Tennessee 45- 31 in their first game of the season and then went on to defeat Colorado State (34- 28), Louisiana Tech (42- 12) and Arizona (45- 27).
The Bears’ junior QB Nathan Longshore has a 63.3 CMP% with 5 TDs. He’s thrown two interceptions and been sacked twice. Longshore has an impressive QB rating of 133.9. His favorite target is senior WR Lavelle Hawkins who has 25 catches, 315 yards and 2 TDs. He’s averaging 12.6 yards per catch. On the ground senior RB Justin Forsett has seven touchdowns, a total of 484 yards and an average gain of 5.7 yards each carry.
Hawkins is rated fourth in the conference for total reception yards and Forsett is ranked second in the PAC-10 with 484 yards. On defense, the Golden Bears have six interceptions. The club is +17 in scoring, averaging 41.5 PPG.
The Ducks of Oregon have the top-rated offense, averaging 48.5 PPG and running up a conference best 299.8. Thus far, the Ducks have had an easier schedule than the Bears. They have been victorious over Houston (48- 27), Michigan (39- 7), Fresno State (52- 21) and Stanford (55- 31), notching a +27 differential.
Duck QB Dennis Dixon can throw and run. He’s the conference’s top signal caller with a 188.11 rating and 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. His accuracy is solid—68.8 CMP%– but he’s been sacked eight times this season, which is way too many. He’s got almost 1,000 yards in the air. For the Ducks, Dixon is second in running yards with 492, and he has four touchdowns. Over 48 carries, he’s averaged 6.1 YPG. With each game he’s become more accurate, and he’s tossed at least 2 TDs per game and run for one more against each opponent.
Junior WR Jaison Williams leads the team with 18 receptions, 267 yards and 4 TDs. He’s averaged 14.8 YPR. In three games, senior WR Cameron Colvin has caught 12 balls for 170 yards and 1 TD. He is averaging 14.2 YPR. On the ground, junior RB Jonathan Stewart is averaging 7.7 YPC and has a total of 503 yards over 65 carries. He’s got 4 TDs.
On defense, Oregon has snatched nine interceptions. Teams are scoring 21.5 PPG against Oregon and 24.5 PPG over California. Oregon has played more disciplined ball, with only 24 penalties for 230 yards. California has had trouble with penalties racking up 35, the most in the conference, for a total of 287 yards. The edge in first downs goes to the Ducks—99 to 84. Oregon leads the conference in rushing yards and is 5th in passing, while California is 3rd and 7th respectively.
The game is on the Ducks’ home turf with Oregon being given a +1.5 point advantage. The contest will be played on September 29, 2007 and air on ABC at 3:30 PM ET.
This will be a hot game.
Technorati Tags: Oregon Ducks, California Golden Bears, NCAA Football
