Buzz for Saturday’s showdown

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Saturday’s matchup, between the only two real contenders to take down USC for the Pac-10 title, is getting some big recognition around the nation. Cal and Oregon are both 2-0 in the Pac-10 and nationally ranked (#16 and #11, respectively). Memorial Stadium is almost sold out with the tarps coming off both the Gold and Blue Zones. This is going to be a BIG game and you won’t want to miss it. The game is also televised on ABC’s primetime Saturday Night College Football program, giving the showdown a huge audience.

Here is a glimpse of what people are saying. Unfortunately, most of the thoughts are from ESPN analysts, some of whom may seem a bit out of touch (see Beano).

ESPN: “Conference matchups dominate Week 6”

Cal has made a tremendous resurrection since its first game, in which the Bears were pummeled by Tennessee. The offense is living up to its potential; quarterback Nathan Longshore is making good decisions and running back Marshawn Lynch is living up to his preseason Heisman hype.

Oregon also boasts a balanced offense, with quarterback Dennis Dixon and running back Jonathan Stewart leading the way. The Ducks’ secondary, however, raises many questions. Cal also has problems defensively; the Bears have to make tackles in the open field — that’s what killed them against Tennessee. These teams are capable of challenging USC for Pac-10 supremacy, but it starts with Saturday’s game. I’m high on both of these teams, but I give the edge to Cal because the Bears’ defense is better.

Scouts, Inc:

Expect a high-scoring and close game. Longshore will expose a vulnerable Oregon secondary and continue to find the open man. Once the passing game sets up the running game, Lynch will break some long runs working against a Ducks’ run defense that is giving up an average of 4.7 yards per carry. Oregon will counter with the two-headed monster of Stewart and Johnson. They will help the Ducks sustain long scoring drives and take pressure off Dixon on the road.

However, expect Dixon to make a few critical mistakes that are ultimately the difference in this game. Williams has emerged as Dixon’s go-to-guy, but it is concerning that he has twice as many receptions as any other player on the roster. Though Williams will make some big plays in this game, Hughes has the size and cover skills to prevent him from having a career day. Hughes is also a playmaker, so Dixon will have to find his complementary receivers more this week. The Bears’ conservative defensive approach will force Dixon to throw into tighter spaces and make it more difficult for him to run when nothing is available downfield.

ESPN’s Bruce Feldman: “Week’s most intriguing story lines”

2. Battle for No. 2 in the Pac-10
Forget about the Trojans for a week, the Oregon-Cal game is where all the action is out West this weekend. These are, by far, the two most productive offenses in the league: Oregon averages more than 40 points per game and Cal more than 38. Cal and Oregon are first and second, respectively, in the Pac-10 in passing, while Oregon leads the conference in rushing.

Worth watching: If the Bears touted D-line, which got off to such a bad start, can get after Dennis Dixon. (Oregon has only allowed one sack all season.)

SF Chronicle: “Bears’ big date with Ducks”

Cal folks will tell you the Bears’ Nov. 18 game against USC is the one to circle on the calendar, but Saturday’s matchup of No. 11 Oregon and No. 16 Cal in Berkeley has the look of something special.

It is only the second time since 1972 that two teams ranked in the top 16 play a game in the Bay Area. The other was in 1991, when No. 7 Cal lost 24-17 to No. 3 Washington… With USC suddenly looking vulnerable, the Oregon-Cal winner becomes a prime contender for a Rose Bowl berth.

Only four players in the country are averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game and better than 7 yards per carry, and two of them will play at Memorial Stadium on Saturday: the Bears’ Marshawn Lynch and Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart… Only eight teams are averaging more than 38 points, and Cal and Oregon are two of them… Cal quarterback Nate Longshore is tied for the national lead in touchdown passes with 14, and Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon, who grew up in the East Bay, leads the Pac-10 in total offense…

The past three Oregon-Cal games have been tight: a 27-20 overtime win for the Ducks last year, the Bears’ 28-27 victory in 2004 and Oregon’s 21-17 decision in ’03.

ESPN’s Rod Gilmore: “Conference games have compelling subplots”

Also, this game puts on display the significant recruiting turf battle going on in the East Bay of Northern California between Oregon and Cal. Over the last few years, Oregon has made a nasty little habit of sneaking into Berkeley’s backyard and stealing top players. For example, [Oregon QB] Dixon hails from San Leandro, which is just 20 minutes from Berkeley…

Make no mistake, there will be plenty of Cal and Oregon recruits in Berkeley on Saturday night. If Oregon struts into town wearing one of its 99,000 trendy uniforms and rolls out with a win, you can bet that several recruits will be quacking about the Ducks and likely heading to Eugene next season instead of Cal. That’s how important this game is to the future of both programs.

ESPN’s Ivan Maisel:

Q: Who do you like in the Cal-Oregon matchup this Saturday, and what do you think of the winner’s chances of unseating USC in the Pac-10?

A: I’m leaning Cal, but I haven’t studied it closely yet. Cal is making up the ground it lost when it bombed out at Tennessee. The game being in Berkeley may make the difference.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper:

Q: Cal or Oregon? Do you think Nate Longshore is for real, because he sure is playing like he is…

A: I’m going with Oregon. I understand it is a road game and it’s tough to go on the road, but I like what they are doing. The good matchup is Oregon WR Jayson Williams against corner Daymon Hughes. This is an even game on paper. I just give Oregon the slight edge.

ESPN’s Beano Cook:

Q: Who do you like between Oregon and Cal and will the winner take the pac-10 now that USC has shown signs of vulnerability?

A: The winner of that game does have a shot. I go with the home team in tough games like this one. It is nice to see California doing well at something besides sit-ins. Imagine how tough it was to recruit in the 60s during the sit-ins.