The Associated Press
No. 6 OREGON (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) at CALIFORNIA (4-3, 2-3), 10 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1)
Line: Oregon by 18 1/2.
Series Record: California leads 39-35-2
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Ducks need a win to remain in sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 North and remain in contention for a possible spot in the four-team playoff. The Golden Bears need two wins to become bowl eligible in coach Sonny Dykes’ second season and are starting to run out of chances.
KEY MATCHUP
Cal’s secondary vs. Oregon QB Marcus Mariota. The Bears have the most porous pass defense in the nation, allowing 391.7 yards per game through the air — more than 60 yards more than the second worst team. Cal has also allowed the most TD passes in 26 and now must deal with the country’s most efficient quarterback. Mariota is completing 70.2 percent of his passes with 19 TDs and no INTs for 191.0 passer rating. Mariota needs 44 yards passing to become the career leader at Oregon, breaking Bill Musgrave’s record of 8,343.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oregon: RB Royce Freeman has rushed for 636 yards and 11 TDs and needs 76 yards to break Thomas Tyner’s school record for most ever by a freshman. Freeman had four touchdown runs last week vs. Washington.
California: QB Jared Goff is second in the nation with 24 touchdown passes and fourth nationally in passing efficiency (173.1). He struggled in his only previous meeting against the Ducks, going 3 for 7 for 11 yards and fumbling twice.
FACTS & FIGURES
The game will be played at the new Levi’s Stadium, home to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and site of this year’s Pac-12 title game. … Oregon has won past five meetings by an average of 30 points per game. … The Ducks have needed 2 minutes or less to score on 22 of their 41 TD drives. … Oregon CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu has nine career INTs, including one last season vs. Cal. … Cal has lost 16 of its past 17 games vs. ranked teams and 14 straight against top 10 teams since upsetting No. 3 USC in 2003. … The Bears had 18 plays that have gone for at least 40 yards this season.
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