FACTS & STATS: Site: Memorial Stadium (75,028) -- Berkeley, California. Television: None. Home Record: OSU 4-0, Cal 2-1. Away Record: OSU 0-1, Cal 1-2. Neutral Record: OSU 1-0, Cal 1-0. Conference Record: OSU 0-0, Cal 0-0. Series Record: California leads, 31-24.

GAME NOTES: The Oregon State Beavers will be going for their fourth consecutive win of the season on Saturday, as they invade Berkeley to battle the Golden Bears of California in a Pac-10 clash from Memorial Stadium. Oregon State is coming off of one of its most impressive wins of the season, as it was able to manhandle Arizona State by the score of 45-17. The win improved the Beavers to 4-1 on the season and a perfect 4-0 when playing in Corvallis. It was also their first victory over the Sun Devils since the 1993 season. Their only loss of 2003 came on the road, as they fell to Fresno State, 16-14, back on September 5. Cal enters this contest riding high as well, as it pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season this past Saturday, defeating then third-ranked USC 34-31 in triple overtime, as Tyler Fredrickson kicked a game- winning, 38-yard field goal. The Bears were just 1-3 two weeks ago, but they have rallied to win two straight contests, with the USC victory marking the team's first win over a Top 5 squad since 1975. Although Cal is just 3-3 on the season, two of its wins have come in Berkeley. This will mark the 56th all-time meeting between these two schools on the gridiron, with the Bears holding a 31-24 series advantage. Although Cal is leading the series, the Beavers have quickly gained ground by winning the last four meetings, including a 24-13 victory in Corvallis a season ago.

Steven Jackson turned in his 10th consecutive 100-yard rushing performance in the win against Arizona State, as the Heisman candidate rushed for 105 yards on 26 carries. Jackson is leading the Pac-10 in rushing with 650 yards and seven touchdowns this season, while his impressive yardage total also ranks sixth overall in the nation. He is averaging 130 ypg and 4.4 ypc, while also ranking second on the team with 16 receptions for 191 yards. Derek Anderson has not had a great start to the season, especially with his accuracy, but he was able to throw for 246 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Arizona State. Anderson however was intercepted three times and has now been picked off 10 times already this season. Despite Anderson's troubles, James Newson has flourished in the passing game and leads the team with 30 catches for 550 yards and a score. Newson led the team last weekend with six receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown.

Oregon State has done an excellent job stuffing the run this season and is allowing its opponents just 81.6 ypg on the ground. Teams have been able to average only 2.3 ypc and have scored three touchdowns in five games rushing the ball against this stout defensive front. While the Beavers have had no problems against the run, they have had trouble containing the pass. Opponents are averaging 240.6 ypg through the air, but have thrown for just four passing scores. The OSU defense has bent, but not broken several times this season and last Saturday was no different, as the Beavers gave up 381 total yards of offense, but only 17 points. Richard Seigler is the heart and soul of this unit, leading the team with 33 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, and three quarterback hurries. Bill Swancutt has done a fine job getting into the opponents backfield and leads the team with 3.5 sacks, while also turning in 6.5 TFLs.

The Bears' surprise victory over USC was fueled by a strong rushing attack that was led by tailback Adimchinobe Echemandu. He finished with a career-high 147 rushing yards on 34 carries and did so against a Trojan defense that was allowing just 50.7 ypg on the ground. Aaron Rodgers and Reggie Robertson split time under center, with Rodgers throwing for 203 yards and two scores and Robertson finishing with 109 yards and a touchdown. Rodgers also threw two interceptions, but somewhat made up for his errors by also running for a touchdown. Jonathan Makonnen hauled in seven receptions for 104 yards and a score, while Garrett Cross also had seven catches for 41 yards and a touchdown of his own. Unfortunately for the Bears, Makonnen will no longer be making the big plays for them this season as he is set for surgery this week to repair a stress fracture of his left foot and will be lost for the rest of the year. Geoff McArthur finished with five catches for 57 yards and leads the nation this season with 682 yards receiving. McArthur has pulled in 40 receptions already and leads the team with six touchdowns. Rodgers and Robertson have combined to throw for 15 touchdowns and have completed 62.2 percent of their pass attempts. Echemandu is averaging 82 ypg on the ground and has found the end zone three times.

Although Cal has won its last two games, it has not been due to the play of its defense. The Bears are allowing 411.3 ypg in total offense and have been less than tough against the run, as they are allowing opponents to rush for 148.5 ypg. The pass defense has not played well either, allowing teams to throw for 262.8 ypg and 10 touchdowns. The Bears did show signs of improvement in the USC game, as it had three interceptions and held the Trojans to 99 yards rushing. Donnie McCleskey, Sid Slater and Matt Giordano accounted for the Bears' three picked off passes, as they had recorded just one interception prior to the game. McCleskey is leading the team with 59 tackles this year and has also recorded 5.5 sacks, nine TFLs, and five broken up passes. Wendell Hunter is right behind McCleskey with four sacks, while also posting 47 stops and 4.5 TFLs.

The Beavers are proving that they should definitely be considered for a spot in the Top 25 and are one of the most impressive offensive teams in the nation. Cal is coming off an emotional victory, the likes of which could put the team in place for a major letdown this weekend. Oregon State is a much better defensive team than the Bears and should follow the hard running of Jackson all the way to its fifth win of the season.

Predicted Outcome

Oregon State 38, California 24