USC on our mind

Despite Cal’s road game at USC weeks away, people are talking more than ever about the showdown on November 18 in the Coliseum.

ESPN’s Bruce Feldman: “Most intriguing games remaining”

3. Cal at USC Nov. 18: Jeff Tedford is the only coach in the Pac-10 who has been able to beat Pete Carroll in the last three seasons and this is looking like his best Bear team yet. Meanwhile, this is Carroll’s shakiest Trojan squad in that time. Skepticism about this Trojan team grows each week. Just today, ASU QB Rudy Carpenter called the Trojans the third-best team in the Pac-10, behind Cal and Oregon.

USC’s long home-winning streak has been threatened a lot of late, but the challenge will be whether the Trojans’ suspect secondary can handle all of the Bears’ skill talent? Keep an eye on Cal’s electrifying WR-PR DeSean Jackson. An L.A. native, he was one of the first recruits to snub the Trojans amid USC’s great run.

Washington Head Coach Tyrone Willingham via the SJ Mercury’s Jon Wilner:

“In a game of that nature, I think it’s going to come down to the play of the quarterbacks,” Willingham said, refering to Cal sophomore Nate Longshore and USC junior John David Booty.

“USC has a pretty good duo at running back, and Cal, I think their combo is pretty good and might even be a hair stronger with Marshawn (Lynch). I think the receiving corps from both groups are good and talented, and by that time, USC is probably thinking and wishing (Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith) will be healthy and rolling again.

“If all that comes to pass, it will be an exciting game, and I think it will come down on the quarterbacks.”

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit:

Q: What do you think Cal’s chances are of beating USC?

A: Currently, the way the two teams are playing, I think Cal has a very good chance of competing with and beating USC. I think for the first 6 or 7 games of the season, despite Cal losing in embarrassing fashion at Tennessee, they’re the better team at this point. And they’ve got not only playmakers on offense, but a defense that is capable of being dominating as well. But fortunately for USC, this game against Cal will not be played for another four games, so they still have time to improve and reach their potential. I keep saying that Cal is better than USC RIGHT NOW, because by the time Nov. 18 rolls around and USC’s youth has a chance to continue to gain experience, they might be a completely different looking team by that point in the season. But if they keep playing the way they have the last four weeks, Cal definitely can beat them.

Tucson Citizen (AZ): “Four huge games coming up this month”

Nov. 18, Cal at USC – The nightcap of a great day of college football, with this one likely deciding the Pac-10 title.

Daily Herald (WA): “Pac-10 bowl scenarios abound”

The Pac-10 championship – and a spot in the Rose Bowl – will come down to the Nov. 18 game between the Trojans and the Golden Bears. Cal is everyone’s favorite, but I’m not convinced. It’s a very good team, but I still give the edge to USC, which I think goes undefeated through the regular season. The young Trojans will continue to get better every week and will be Rose Bowl-bound.

USA Today: “Five games may set stage for college football’s national title”

California at Southern California on Nov. 18, a day featuring two games that could decide the national title matchup. After stumbling badly vs. Tennessee, the No. 11 Golden Bears have looked like the best team in the Pacific-10. A win against the No. 2 Trojans will prove that.

ESPN’s Ivan Maisel (see his bowl predictions with Cal and Michigan in the Rose):

Q: I assume you believe Cal will beat USC … Cal struggled against both Washington schools and its ok (sic), but an unbeaten USC team gets no respect from you. I remember another team that one the NC a few years ago that won alot (sic) of close games, OSU. Is it because USC isn’t blowing people out every week that apparently they aren’t good enough anymore for you?

A: The USC I saw against Arizona State is not a championship team. That’s three straight games that were a struggle. Maybe the bye week will get Jarrett and Smith healthy enough to allow the offense to stretch the field again. But based on what I’ve seen — as of now — I think Cal is better.

ESPN’s Jim Donnan:

Q: Coach do you think Cal is a better team than USC right now? And who has the better receivers this year?

A: Well, I’ve been impressed with the way Cal’s played, after the way they got ambushed by Tennessee. They look like a total football team right now. They’re playing like a better football team right now, but I still think USC will have the edge at home.