USC vs Cal 2016: Previewing the Bear Offense

Thursday night’s USC vs Cal game will see the Trojans try and stop Davis Webb and the Bears’ potent offense, which ranks 6th in S&P+.

The California Golden Bears enter tonight’s game at the Coliseum after securing an emotional double-overtime victory over the Oregon Ducks last Friday night in Berkeley.

Quarterback Davis Webb, a graduate transfer from Texas Tech, leads Coach Sonny Dykes’ Bear Raid offense and is considered to be one of the top prospects heading into next spring’s NFL Draft.

Webb has thrived in Cal’s wide-open attack, completing 225 of his 362 passing attempts for 2,581 yards and 27 touchdown, while throwing only seven interceptions.

In all but one of his team’s seven games, the Cal Quarterback has thrown for at least 300 yards and four passing touchdowns. Webb and well-respected offensive coordinator Jake Spavital will look to continue that trend in order for the Bears to stay close with a now-confident USC team.

As is so often the case for a school that has consistently produced top flight NFL receivers like Desean Jackson and Keenan Allen, Cal has a number of skilled weapons outside.

The Bears’ receiving corps is lead by Chad Hansen, a 6-foot-2 205-pound transfer from Idaho State. He leads the team in receptions (59), yards (770), and touchdowns (8), despite missing last week’s game against Oregon. Earlier this week, reports indicated that Dykes was optimistic about Hansen’s chances to play Thursday night.

Joining Hansen is Demetris Robertson, a freshman and former 5-star recruit out of Georgia. He has settled in nicely during his first collegiate season, catching 19 passes and recording five touchdowns in the last month alone.

Then there’s freshman and one-time USC commit Melquise Stovall, sophomore Vic Wharton III, and senior Bug Rivera. All told, they’ll be on the field together on most downs, as Cal frequently lines up in 3 and 4 receivers sets.

LISTEN: USC vs. Cal Preview Podcast

Despite Cal’s pass-first philosophy, senior tailback Khalfani Muhammed has had an impressive season so far running the ball. An Inglewood native and graduate of local Notre Dame High School, he has averaged 6.7 yards on 78 carries, while scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns.

Muhammed is backed up by junior Tre Watson of Corona, who himself has rushed for 451 yards and two touchdowns on 79 carries.

Of the two, Watson is the more reliable pass catcher and will likely be used as the third-down back in passing situations.

While Cal usually doesn’t ask its running backs to handle the ball 25 times a game, both Muhammed and Watson are dangerous in the open field, and will be looking to make a statement in their return to Southern California.

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Up front, the Bears are lead by vocal left guard Chris Borrayo, who earlier this week made his intentions clear that he plans to help Cal break its 12-game losing streak against the Trojans. He’s joined by tackles Aaron Cochran and Steven Moore, right guard Dwayne Wallace Jr. and center Addison Ooms.

In order for USC to continue their streak, the Trojans’ defensive line will have to win the battle at the line of scrimmage and pressure Cal’s senior quarterback.

The young secondary will be tested early and often, and giving Webb plenty of time to throw will only make it more difficult to stop the Golden Bear offense.

Cal will surely put up their points, but defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast will need to find a way to limit those opportunities and give the ball back to Sam Darnold and the USC Offense, in order to secure the Trojans’ fifth win of the year and keep their Pac-12 title hopes alive.