GAME NOTES: The 23rd-ranked Oregon State Beavers try to take one step closer to capturing the Pac-10 title this weekend, as they welcome the California Golden Bears to Reser Stadium for a key league battle.

The Beavers come into the weekend on a roll, as they have posted four straight wins overall and five in row against league foes. Last weekend, OSU took to the road and defeated UCLA, 34-6, to become bowl eligible for the eighth time in 10 years. The win also propelled the team into the national rankings for the first time this season and more importantly kept OSU in control of its own destiny for the Pac-10 title. At 5-1 within the league, the Beavers are tied with USC, in the loss column, for first place in the league standings, but OSU owns the tie-breaker with its 27-21 upset of the Trojans earlier this season.

As for Cal, it too is in contention for the Pac-10 championship, although a 17-3 setback at USC last weekend certainly hurt the program's chances. The loss snapped the squad's two-game win streak and dropped it to 6-3 overall and 4-2 within the conference. It was also the Bears' third consecutive defeat on the road.

In a series that dates back to 1905, Cal owns a 33-27 edge over OSU and has won the last two meetings in Corvallis. The Beavers, though, have captured seven of the past nine meetings overall, including a 31-28 triumph in Berkeley last season.

The Bears have been nothing short of solid on the offensive side of the ball this season, as they are averaging 155.7 ypg on the ground and an even better 220.0 total ypg through the air. Facing one of the toughest defenses in the nation last weekend, Cal was limited to just 165 total yards, including only 27 on the ground, in a loss at USC. The team managed just one field goal in the game and that is obviously well below its season-average of 32.7 ppg. Nate Longshore made his third straight of the year last weekend, but he was pulled at the half after hitting on 11-of-15 pass attempts for 79 yards. Kevin Riley, who was coming off a concussion, stepped in for Longshore after the break and he didn't fare much better, completing only 4-of-16 throws for 59 yards and an interception. On the season, Riley has started a majority of the games for Cal, but he has completed just 51.1 percent of his throws. Longshore is certainly capable in his own right and he has also played a decent amount this season, converting 58.6 percent of his throws. The duo have combined for 18 touchdowns against eight picks thus far. In the backfield, the Bears are led by the tandem of Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen, whom have combined for 1,324 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Both players are also utilized in the passing game, with Best notching a team-high 24 catches and Vereen 22 receptions.

Cal brings one of the better defensive units in the Pac-10 to this weekend's game, as it is holding opposing clubs to 20.6 ppg and 312.3 total ypg for the season. The unit is stingy versus the run (116.6 ypg) as well as pass (195.8 ypg) and has also picked off 17 throws compared to just nine passing touchdowns allowed. Last weekend, the Bears were penetrated for 411 total yards by USC's stout offense, but they only allowed 17 points in that contest. Cal was able to keep the Trojans off the scoreboard thanks to some pressure, as it recorded three sacks. Getting to opposing quarterbacks has been a strength of this defense, which has now registered 25 sacks on the year. Zack Follett paces the Bears with five sacks and 12.5 TFLs, and in last weekend's loss he turned in five stops and a forced fumble.

The Beavers have enjoyed a lot of success on offense this season and that shows in their averages of 33.7 ppg and 425.2 total ypg. OSU has been able to run (169.6 ppg) and throw (255.7 ypg) the ball effectively and has also fared well in avoiding mistakes, committing just 13. Last weekend, the Beavers overcame a pair of turnovers by gaining 423 total yards, including 201 rushing, in a 34-6 win over UCLA.

"It was very important to run the ball," stated head coach Mike Riley. "That was the story for the game on both sides. Jacquizz [Rodgers] had a great game, and so did Sean [Canfield]."

Tailback Jacquizz Rodgers certainly did have a big game, as he toted 31 times for 144 yards and a score, in addition to catching a second touchdown. With that effort, Rodgers set a Pac-10 rushing record for a freshman with 1,089 yards on the season. He has scored 10 touchdowns on the ground this season and has also been a factor in the passing game, catching 27 balls for 239 yards and another score. Quarterback Sean Canfield even did a nice job filling in for injured starter Lyle Moevao last weekend, throwing for 222 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 16-of-22 tosses. Moevao is listed as probable this weekend with a shoulder injury, but Canfield has more than proven capable in his absence. Still, Moevao has had a rather solid campaign thus far and has completed 63.3 percent of his pass attempts for 227.8 ypg, with 14 touchdowns and eight picks. Sammie Stroughter, James Rodgers and Shane Morales are all dangerous weapons in this passing game and they have combined for 131 catches, 1,741 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year. Last weekend, Rodgers, whose brother is tailback Jacquizz, pulled in six balls for 115 yards, while Stroughter made the same amount of catches for 93 yards and a score.

Cal isn't the only team with a stout defense in this game, as OSU is more than capable of shutting down opponents on a consistent basis. As a matter of fact, the Beavers are yielding a mere 295.2 total ypg and that includes just 112.0 ypg on the ground. Last weekend, OSU showed its ability on defense by limiting UCLA to only 237 total yards. The unit gave up just 48 of those yards on the ground, while forcing four turnovers and recording three sacks.

"I thought UCLA prepared well, but I think our defense just had a special night," said coach Riley. "The defense was really awesome. I thought UCLA tried some great things, but we were just able to answer."

The Beavers also thrived on third downs, allowing UCLA to convert just 2-of-14 opportunities. That is nothing new, though, as OSU is holding foes to just a 29 percent conversion rate on third downs. Keaton Kristick made eight tackles to pace OSU last weekend, while Greg Laybourn notched his team-best third pick of the year. Laybourn also tops the roster with 75 tackles on the season.

If the Beavers win out, they will be Pac-10 champions, but that is still a long way away. Cal is a talented and tough team and will give OSU all it can handle in this one. Still, the Beavers are playing with a lot of confidence right now and their ability to do everything well will play a factor in a close game this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Oregon State 28, California 27