TV:
9:30 p.m. Saturday; ESPN.
The line:
Oregon by 281/2.
Records:
Oregon 9-0, 6-0 Pac-12; Cal 3-7, 2-5.
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Last meeting:
Oregon won 43-15 on Oct. 6, 2011, in Eugene, Ore.
ON THE OFFENSIVE:
Oregon RB Kenjon Barner, the nation’s No. 2 rusher, should continue his Heisman push after 321 yards against USC last weekend. Cal QB Zach Maynard (12 TDs, 10 INTs) must be more explosive to help keep up.
GETTING DEFENSIVE:
Cal can get after the passer a bit but is a mere 73rd nationally in total defense (416.10 yards allowed per game). And after surrendering 51 points to USC last week, maybe the Ducks defense is a little salty, and ready to hold its own.
THE NUMBER:
68. Touchdowns scored by Oregon, one of two programs (Louisiana Tech the other) to exceed the 60-TD mark thus far.
THE TALK:
No. 3 Oregon needs to stay perfect and needs to thrash teams while doing so to vault over Kansas State into the No. 2 spot in the BCS rankings. Cal may fire coach Jeff Tedford, so it would be a most unlikely spoiler.
BRIAN HAMILTON’S PICK:
Some Oregon letdown is possible after a big victory at USC, but barring tons of Ducks turnovers, Cal will wear down like most everyone else.
Oregon 53-27