Oregon @ California preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2009 ) California 3, Oregon 42

LaMichael James and the Oregon Ducks have been virtually unstoppable. The University of California has featured the Pac-10’s top all-around defense this season.

Something has to give when the No. 1 Ducks (9-9, 6-0) visit the Golden Bears (5-4, 3-3) in Berkeley’s Strawberry Canyon on Saturday.

Oregon will be looking to keep the scoreboard rolling as it attempts to further solidify its chances of playing for the national championship, while California will be seeking to upset a top-ranked program for the first time in 11 tries.

Another stellar performance by James would aid the Oregon cause in a hostile environment that has seen the Golden Bears defeat the Ducks the last three times the two schools have played in Memorial Stadium. Oregon’s last win at Cal came in 2001.

James is the nation’s leading rusher with 1,331 yards, and has three 200-yard rushing performances this season with a high of 257 against Stanford. A big showing against a Cal defense that leads the Pac-10 and ranks 12th nationally in total defense (299.6) could significantly enhance his Heisman Trophy battle with Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.

Oregon leads the nation in scoring (54.7 points per game) and total offense (567.2). The Ducks have topped 50 points six times, and their explosive offense has seemingly stepped it up a notch the past three games with 60 points against UCLA, and 53 against Southern Cal and Washington.

The Bears’ stingy defense is paced by defensive end Cameron Jordan and linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who both have 5.5 sacks this season. Cal’s defense is among the national leaders with 28 sacks, and leads the Pac-10 in passing defense at 179.7 yards per game.

The stellar pass defense will be tested by Oregon’s red-hot combination of Darron Thomas and Jeff Maehl. Thomas has passed for 2,070 yards and 22 touchdowns, and Maehl has 54 receptions for 746 yards and a school-record tying 10 touchdowns. In his last four games, Maehl has 33 catches for 442 yards and six TDs.

California is allowing 21.3 points per game, and Oregon’s lowest-scoring output of the season is twice that – 42 against Arizona State.

Even if the Ducks are somewhat contained, the Golden Bears still need to score points behind junior quarterback Brock Mansion, who is making his second career start after Kevin Riley was lost with a season-ending knee injury.

Mansion threw for 171 yards and was intercepted twice as Cal struggled to defeat Washington State 20-13 last week. He figures to be tested by an Oregon defense allowing 17.7 points per game, and is led by cornerback Cliff Harris (five interceptions) and defensive end Kenny Rowe (six sacks).

California running back Shane Vereen needs 14 rushing yards for a 1,000-yard season and has scored 15 touchdowns – 12 rushing and three receiving.

The Golden Bears are 4-0 at home, and outscored their opponents 189-34. Colorado (52-7), UCLA (35-7) and Arizona State (50-17) are among the victims. UC Davis (52-3) was the other.