October 15, 2009

Olin Buchanan
Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer

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Since coach Jeff Tedford took over the reins in Berkeley in 2002, Cal is 0-for-L.A. That's seven losses on seven trips down the coast.

"We've played some pretty good teams down there," Tedford said. "USC is always a tough game and UCLA always is good at home. There have been some very close games, especially against UCLA. But they found a way to win at the end of the game."

The Bears head to L.A. again this week, this time to face UCLA, which has scored just 26 total points in back-to-back losses to Stanford and Oregon.

A victory could start a reversal of fortune for Cal, which has dropped from sixth to out of the national rankings after back-to-back losses to Oregon and USC in which they were outscored 72-6.

After facing the Bruins, Cal's next two games are against hapless Washington State and struggling Arizona State. A 6-2 record going into November would be a distinct possibility - if Cal can get past UCLA.

"That's what we've been talking about," Tedford said. "While there has been great disappointment the last two weeks, I don't think anybody is discouraged. That's important.

Linebacker Mychal Kendricks, the Pac-10's leading tackler, indicated the Bears have accepted that and predicts they will be successful.

"We have to win every game from now on," Kendricks said. "We can't lose again. We lost two games already. We can't lose again, and I don't think we [will]."

If Cal does fall again to UCLA, it could start an all-too-common collapse.

The Bears were 5-1 in 2007 before losing at UCLA; they lost four of their next five, too. In '05, they took a 5-0 record into their game against UCLA; after losing 47-40 to the Bruins, they lost three of their next four. In both seasons, the Bears finished up in lower-tier bowl games.

"We just have to have that [winning] mentality, relax and play with confidence, with swagger," Kendricks said.

That might be easier to do if the game were in another city.

KEY MATCHUP: Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen vs. USC's pass defense. Only 13 quarterbacks have thrown more touchdown passes than Clausen, and six of those have played more games. Clausen has thrown 12 touchdown passes, including four in the fourth quarter. But he hasn't faced a defense as unyielding against the pass as that of USC. The Trojans have not allowed a touchdown pass this season. The Trojans also lead the nation in sacks, with 21 in five games. Notre Dame has allowed nine sacks.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Arizona State QB Danny Sullivan. Though there have been calls for a quarterback change, Sun Devils coach Dennis Erickson is sticking with Sullivan, a fifth-year senior who has been woefully inconsistent. But Erickson has indicated that true freshman backup Brock Osweiler will play against Washington. That only adds to the pressure on Sullivan, who threw three interceptions in last week's win over Washington State. Sullivan has thrown just four touchdown passes and five interceptions for the Sun Devils. Washington ranks 102nd in the nation in pass defense. If Sullivan struggles again ...

NUMBERS GAME: Remember how there was some question about USC's defense because eight starters had left for the NFL? It turns out the Trojans have been even stingier than a year ago, when they led the nation in scoring defense by allowing just 9.0 points per game. Through five games, the Trojans are giving up just 8.6 points per game and no opponent has managed more than 16. USC has allowed just three touchdowns, all on the ground. USC also has held all five opponents to fewer than 90 rushing yards and fewer than 300 yards of total offense.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:

"I've never seen anything like that in my life, and I've been through about everything. But that's not one of them. On tape, it's really hard to see what exactly transpired, but it was unbelievable." - Venerable Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson, on Washington's game-winning kick-and-catch interception against Arizona last week

"Whatever reps I get, I'm going to make the most of them. Whatever happens, happens. I can't say one way or the other." - Oregon QB Nate Costa, who led Ducks to a win over UCLA, on whether a quarterback controversy is brewing between he and Jeremiah Masoli

"It doesn't matter if it's fair or not. After the Washington game, it seems I hadn't been performing well. It's kind of odd." - USC QB Aaron Corp, on his demotion from second to third team

Etc.: USC WR Ronald Johnson has missed every game with a broken collarbone, but he may play against Notre Dame. Trojans DE Nick Perry, who leads the team with six sacks, has recovered from a bruised knee and is available Saturday. ... Arizona QB Nick Foles has thrown a touchdown pass in each of the four games in which he has played. He also has enjoyed good protection. The Wildcats' offensive line has allowed just four sacks through five games. Arizona RBs Keola Antolin (ankle) and Nic Grigsby (shoulder) are slowed by injuries that could keep them out this week. If they cannot play, the Wildcats will rely on freshman Greg Nwoko. ... Arizona State K Thomas Webber may be ready to return from a groin injury that has kept him out of four games. ... Cal WR Nyan Boateng, who has been sidelined with a broken foot, may play against UCLA. But WR Verran Tucker has a deep thigh bruise and his status is uncertain. ... Oregon freshman RB LaMichael James has rushed for 152 yards twice in the past four games. He has gained 503 yards in that span. ... Oregon State used the "Wildcat" formation for the first time last week and Jacquizz Rodgers scored on a 61-yard run on the first play. ... Stanford's offensive line has allowed just four sacks in six games, the fewest in the Pac-10. The Cardinal also lead the conference in rushing. ... UCLA LB Reggie Carter sat out a practice with a sprained knee earlier this week, but is expected to play Saturday. ... Washington has scored a defensive touchdown in each of the last three games. Huskies WR D'Andre Goodwin is back in action after sitting out last week with a concussion suffered on the final play of the game against Notre Dame two weeks ago. ... Washington State has forced 18 turnovers, which is five more than the Cougars forced all of last season. The Cougars forced six in last week's loss to Arizona State.

Olin Buchanan is the senior college football writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at olin@rivals.com.