(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
California has been able to overcome injuries to key starters on both the offensive and defensive lines, their starting tailback, musical quarterbacks, and tough out of conference schedule to reach this point - a showdown with USC.
This showdown is expected to play out with USC rolling over Cal. Todd McShay of ESPN has said that this could be a break-out game for the Trojans. Scouts INC. listed USC with advantages at every position (QB, RB, WR, OL, DL, LB, DB, COACH) except for special teams. Spencer Tillman of CBS Sports says, "No, there's no way Cal wins."
USC has never lost a game in November since Pete Carroll has been coach. They are a remarkable 24-0 in the month and looking to go 25-0. Over the past five games, since losing to Oregon State on the road, they've outscored their opponent 214-20. They are currently on a five quarter shutout streak of their opponents and are looking to move that up to nine while facing Cal.
So it's unrealistic to expect Cal to even show up right? With all of the cards stacked against them, being on the road for the game one of them, the Bears will need to come into the game playing their best. That is the key for Cal. If they are to get the upset, they are going to have to limit how many matchups they lose in the fight for the Pac-10.
It's definitely going to be a big game. They have one loss and we have one loss in the Pac-10, so the Pac-10 championship and the Rose Bowl are up for grabs.
- Bears LB Mike Mohamed
Though things are looking up in Berkeley, the Bears still have a few decisions on who will be the key players for them this weekend. Decisions range from how they'll sub in the defensive front, tailback, receiver, and even quarterback. How coach Jeff Tedford decides to match up with the Trojans could be the difference between an expected loss and an unexpected victory.
...when you go down to play SC, you have a tendency to get really hyped up. So we’re going to have to keep our poise and focus on what we need to do and just prepare really well to play a great football team.
- Tedford on preparing for USC
Kevin Riley returned to practice, but it's uncertain that he will start against USC. Nate Longshore was able to manage difficult weather conditions and a tough Ducks defense to pull the Bears through with a win last Saturday. Though Riley started that game a little shaky, he was beginning to get in a groove when he suffered his concussion on an escape from the pocket for a first down.
I think he’ll be ready to play. We have to see how he’s doing tonight and tomorrow. Health is definitely an issue. But he missed a day of practice, so it’s also how he handles the game plan.
- Tedford on Riley's status this weekend
Another player surprisingly became available to play this weekend - Rulon Davis. Cody Jones also returned to practice, but he's not expected to play this weekend, while Tedford said that Davis will probably be subbed in for certain situations. The Bears didn't expect Davis to be back for another couple of weeks, but his recovery from a broken bone in the foot has been remarkable.
I want to play every game. Every game that passes by is another game i missed. It made me want to get out there and get back on the field.
-Davis on playing again
The Bears will go the rest of the season without right guard Chet Teofilo, who will undergo surgery on his injured ankle and be lost for the remainder of the year. Noris Malele is still not ready to return to the lineup so Justin Cheadle will make another start and Donovan Edwards will be starting at right tackle.
Don't listen to the pundits, don't bother with the stats, because when it comes down to it, the only thing that matters is the passion and the focus that the players bring with them to memorial stadium and the affect that it has on their execution. Cal has become a haven for jilted Trojan fans and Southern California players, who come to Cal because USC either didn't recruit them or weren't able to give them the same opportunities to play. All-Everything linebacker Zack Follett has another reason for being at Cal:
To tell you the truth, the whole reason I came to Cal is I thought they had the best chance of beating SC. We haven’t done it yet, so I’m still waiting for it.
- Follett on why he came to Cal
Here's the video on what Spencer Tillman was saying about this week's game:
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