Berkeley, CA -- (Sports Network) - In a pivotal Pac-10 matchup, the 23rd-ranked Oregon Ducks head to Berkeley this weekend to take on the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. The Ducks and Bears are two of four teams currently with only one loss in the Pac-10, so obviously this is a big bout for each program.

Oregon enters the tilt fresh off a convincing victory, as it thrashed Arizona State, 54-20, on the road last weekend.

"We played well and obviously Arizona State didn't play as well as they had hoped to," said head coach Mike Bellotti.

It was the second straight win for the Ducks, who are tied with USC atop the Pac-10 standings at 4-1. Overall, Oregon owns a solid 6-2 mark and that includes victories in three of four games on the road.

As for Cal, it is also coming off a solid victory, posting a 41-20 triumph over UCLA last weekend. It was the program's largest win over UCLA since 1992, as the Bears remained perfect at home (4-0). The win also pushed the team to 3-1 in the conference, leaving it just a half-game back of first place.

The all-time series between Cal and Oregon is led by the Bears, 38-30-2, and that includes a 25-14-2 advantage when playing in Berkeley. With a 31-24 victory last season, California has won three of the past four meetings against the Ducks.

The Ducks have been unsettled at quarterback due to youth and injuries, but they have compensated by pounding the ball on the ground, averaging a healthy 278.8 rushing ypg. The offense has scored 30 of its 43 touchdowns via the run and that is the main reason why the team is averaging a hardy 41.5 ppg for the season.

Last weekend, Oregon's electric ground game was on display, as the team gained 304 of its 537 total yards via the run in a lopsided win over Arizona State. Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarrette Blount each had 58 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground to pace Oregon in the win. The duo have been outstanding for the Ducks all season and they have combined for 1,187 yards and 21 touchdowns. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli earned the start last weekend and threw for 147 yards and score, while also leading the team with 85 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

"The maturity on Jeremiah's part and the success of our running game all contribute to allowing us to throw the ball when we want to throw," said coach Bellotti. "Jeremiah threw the ball better and is becoming more comfortable with the offense."

Masoli started the season as the third-string quarterback, but moved up the charts because of injuries. Starter Nate Costa underwent season-ending knee surgery in August, and backup Justin Roper had missed the last four games with a partially torn left MCL and an illness. Roper though, returned last weekend and threw for 86 yards and a touchdown in relief of Masoli. It is uncertain who will get the start this weekend, but Masoli has shown he can be effective, throwing for 726 yards and six scores and rushing for 327 yards and two more touchdowns.

On defense, Oregon has done a decent job in slowing down foes this season and it is giving up 24.9 ppg and 366.6 total ypg. The Ducks have been especially stingy against the run, where they are holding opponents to just 103.2 ypg and a mere 2.8 yards per carry.

Last weekend, Oregon held Arizona State to 333 total yards, including only 107 on the ground, in a victory. The defense forced three turnovers and recorded the same amount of sacks. Getting to the quarterback has been a real strength of this defense, which has notched 28 sacks on the year. Nick Reed and Will Tukuafu are the team's two best pass rushers and they have combined for 14 sacks and 24 TFLs. Jairus Byrd is another player opposing quarterbacks will need to look out for, as he tops the roster with four interceptions.

The Bears are another Pac-10 team that have had a good amount of success on the offensive side of things, as they are gaining 177.4 ypg on the ground and 232.3 ypg through the air this season. Those numbers look even better when considering the team has committed only nine turnovers thus far.

Last weekend, Cal totaled 385 yards, including 232 via the run, as it topped UCLA in convincing fashion. Jahvid Best led the charge, as he toted 17 times for 115 yards and a touchdown. It was another great effort from Best, who is averaging 7.0 yards per carry and has rushed for 643 yards and six touchdowns in six games this season. Quarterback Kevin Riley also got into the mix last weekend, throwing fro 153 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Riley has fared well this season and he has passed for 985 yards, with nine scores against just two picks. Cameron Morrah leads the team with only 20 catches, but six of them have resulted in touchdowns.

Cal's defense has been every bit as good as its offense and may be even better. The unit has fared well in keeping teams off the scoreboard, allowing 21.7 ppg, and slowing down its opponents, surrendering 301.4 total ypg. The Bears are especially tough against the run, as they are limiting opponents to only 95.7 ypg and just 2.6 yards per carry. There isn't much of a drop off with the pass defense either considering Cal has intercepted 15 throws compared to just seven touchdown passes allowed.

Last weekend, the Bears came up with four picks and they also limited UCLA to just 253 total yards, including only 16 rushing. Marcus Ezeff and Mike Mohamed each returned an interception for a touchdown in the game, while Tyson Alualu had two of the team's three sacks. Anthony Felder had four stops and he leads the team with 48 for the year.