Cal TB Marshawn Lynch vs. Stanford Linebackers

EnlargeEnlarge
Brandon Harrison and Wopamo Osaisai in coverage against USC. #gallery http://daily.stanford.edu/image/full/6626
Andrew Davis

Brandon Harrison and Wopamo Osaisai in coverage against USC.

Stopping Cal’s star tailback is no easy task, but the Cardinal are going to have to limit his production to have any shot at upsetting the Bears.

Lynch, who was named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year last week, has been a valuable weapon both as a runner and as a receiver out of the backfield. The Oakland native has averaged 107.1 yards per game on the ground and has also hauled in 30 receptions.

Meanwhile, Stanford has struggled mightily to stop the run throughout the 2006 season. The Cardinal have the 117th ranked rushing defense of 119 Division I-A teams and are allowing 218.1 yards per game on the ground.

But Stanford’s defense has steadily improved throughout the season. Freshman Clinton Snyder and senior Michael Okwo have each proved capable of stopping the run. But if they falter at Memorial Stadium tomorrow, it could be a repeat of last year’s Big Game when Lynch ran for 123 yards and a touchdown.

Cal PR DeSean Jackson vs. Stanford Special Teams

Jackson has been one of the nation’s most explosive return men this season. He is averaging 19.0 yards per punt return and has taken four back for touchdowns. Stanford has been vulnerable on special teams and a Jackson punt return could swing momentum in Cal’s favor.

The Card can’t discount Jackson’s offensive abilities either. The sophomore leads the Bears with 852 receiving yards and nine touchdowns through the air.

Stanford coach Walt Harris vs. Cal coach Jeff Tedford

Tedford has emerged as one of the top coaches in the Pac-10, leading the Bears to four straight bowl games, including this year’s Holiday Bowl berth. In his fifth year at Cal, he has turned the Bears into a potent offensive force.

On the Stanford sideline, Walt Harris has yet to live up to his billing as an offensive guru. In only his second year, Harris has not had long to implement his system that was so successful while he was the coach at Pittsburgh. The Cardinal have been hampered by conservative coaching moves and questionable in-game decisions. But Harris has a chance to win back many frustrated fans with a victory over Tedford and the Bears.