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Game
6 - Cal Bears
Hello
Beaver Fans,
This
week the Beavers travel to the University of California
to take on the Bears in a game that will determine
who will remain at least tied for first place in
the PAC-10 and may be the sole holder of first place
if Washington State and Washington both lose this
weekend.
It
was a very satisfying victory last weekend over
Arizona State. Just the kind game I like to attend.
It is close early that keeps you excited and in
the game. Then the Beavers blow the game open so
you can relax and just cheer them on without having
to worry about whether they are going to win or
not.
In
this weeks game, Cal is coming off one of the biggest
victories in their history with a 34-31 home win
over then #3 ranked USC. The game went to triple
overtime with Cal winning with a field goal after
holding USC from scoring. It will also be homecoming
this Saturday at Cal, so the Beavers will have their
job cut out for them.
Cal
has been solid at home this season winning all three
of their home games while the road has been hazardous
for them by losing all three on the road. This will
be only the second road game of the season for the
Beavers. Their first road trip did not show very
good results in an embarrassing loss to Fresno State.
BY
THE NUMBERS
The
Beavers again have the advantage in all the major
offensive and defensive categories and have a big
advantage in to other important areas. Red Zone
defense and sacks allowed. Cal has given up 15 sacks
to OSU's 7 this season. Cal has also allowed the
opponent to score 78% of the time when in the red
zone. These should be two key factors for the Beavers.
Cal is also allowing 148.5 yards per game on the
ground even after shutting down the USC ground game
last week.
These
three factors are the keys to the game. If the Beavers
get to the Cal QB and pressure him their scoring
opportunities will be few. Cal's leading running
back is only averaging 85.56 yards per game. However,
Cal's two QB's are the PAC-10 leaders in passing
efficiency.
Cal
leas the PAC-10 in fewest penalties. While OSU is
9th just ahead of Washington State.
THE
SERIES
Cal
leads the all-time series, 31-24, although Oregon
State has won the last four contests, including
a 24-13 decision last Oct. 26, in Corvallis. In
that game, the Beavers compiled 301 yards on the
ground, led by 239 yards from TB Steven Jackson.
Cal's last win came on the road in 1998 when the
Bears edged OSU, 20-19.
WHO
TO WATCH FOR ON CAL
- Echemandu
- Running Back
- Rodgers
- Quarterback
- McArthur
- Wide Receiver
- Robertson
- Quarterback
- Fredrickson
- Kicker 100% on the season
- McCleskey
- DB
- Hunter
- LB
FOR
THE BEAVERS
- Derek
Anderson - Can Derek prove he has grown enough
to perform on the road as well as he does at home.
- Steven
Jackson - Can the line open holes up with 8 or
9 defenders in the box.
- Mike
Hass - Can the Beavers get him the ball more
- James
Newson - Can he continue to pile up the yards
after three straight games with over 100 yards
receiving.
- Brandon
Browner - Can he repeat his performance after
last weeks big game.
THE
BOTTOM LINE
A
bottom line full of if's. The Beavers are the better
team between the two and should, I repeat, SHOULD
win this game. However, their are several things
that need to happen.
- Establish
the run
- Line
needs to do a better job opening holes for Jackson
- Get
Anderson time to pass
- Anderson
needs to prove he is a road warrior and not just
a homeboy.
- The
defense needs to continue its stellar play and
shut down the run.
- Eliminate
the turnovers and get the turnovers on defense
These
things all seem logical for the Beavers to win,
but on the road these are things they have not done
well as of yet. Derek Anderson is the real key in
this game. If Cal stuffs the line them he will have
to stretch the field on Cal and force them to put
more players in coverage down field. If Derek cannot
do this, then it will be a long day for the Beavers.
The
Beavers have always had a hard time playing at Cal.
Their last win in Cal was two years ago when Cal
came back from a big lead by OSU to make a close
game of it.
FINAL
SCORE
Beavers
31
Cal Bears 17
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