Cal-USC: Three Things the Bears Need to Do to Beat the Trojans

Cal's biggest game of the season is being played on Saturday at 5 PM against USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This game will be a test for the Bears, and a great one at that. USC, of course, is the front-runner for winning the Pac-10. 

There are three things that the Bears need to do to be successful and win the game.

The first is to stop the Trojans' rushing attack. The Bears did well against the vaunted Oregon running game, but in the third quarter the Ducks gained the majority of their 206 yards rushing.

For the Bears to stay in the game, their linebackers and defensive line are going to need to contain C.J. Gable, Stafon Johnson, and Joe McKnight. Unlike Oregon's QBs, Mark Sanchez can actually pass the football.

The next thing on the list for Cal to do is stop the Trojans' deep threats and watch out for screens. This means that the Bears secondary has to step up and contain Damian Williams, Patrick Turner, Ronald Johnson, and Stanley Havili from the fullback position.

It means that Syd'Quan Thompson is going to have a busy day, but he will be able handle the task, seeing how he's one of if not the best corners in the Pac-10. The Bears will also need big games from Chris Conte, Darian Hagan, Brett Johnson, Sean Cattouse, Bernard Hicks, and Marcus Ezeff.

The offensive line is going to need to protect either Kevin Riley or Nate Longshore. I'm leaning towards Longshore starting, seeing how it was a concussion Riley suffered, and you never know with head injuries. The O-line is also going to have to create holes for Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen to run through, as well as being able to manage the time of possession in Cal's favor.

The wide receivers for Cal are going to need to step up. Verran Tucker has shown flashes of brilliance, as has Nyan Boateng, and Jeremy Ross showed up against Oregon. The most important piece of the puzzle for Cal in the passing game is getting Cameron Morrah the ball. He is the Bears' X-factor for the game.

Lastly, the most important thing for the Bears is, of course, the play of the quarterback. If it's Longshore, then he's going to have to make the smart throws, use his escape valve if there's nothing open downfield, throw it away if no one is open, and make good decisions, which he did in the Oregon game—no forcing the ball.

Also, Longshore can't let the fact that his receivers drop the ball affect him. He needs to just concentrate on making the next throw.

Do I think the Bears can win? Possibly. Will I make a prediction of the score? No. Will it be a close game? Possibly—last year it was 24-17 USC in Berkeley.

It should be an exciting game and the best one in the Pac-10 so far.