Offensive breakdown: Beavs vs. Bears

CAL HAS PICKED themselves up after dropping their first two conference games -- they've now won three straight. Oregon State sits tied with California and USC for fourth in the Pac-10. Saturday will be a big stepping stone for the Beavers if they can pick up a win. Here’s a closer look at the offensive matchups.

Offensive Line: Jahvid Best has been held under 100 yards rushing three times, all against Pac-10 teams. But the Bear rushing offense ranks only behind Oregon in the Pac-10 at 205.6 yards per game.

Meanwhile, OSU sits sixth in the Pac with 136.5 rushing yards per game.

The Cal Bear line has let defenders sack Kevin Riley 17 times compared to OSU’s 23.

Things might be looking up for the Beavs in that department, as OSU won the sack battle against UCLA, recording four sacks to the Bruins’ one.

Pick: California. Less sacks and 69 more rushing yards per game equals more adequate protection and a better push at the point of attack.

Running Back: Jacquizz Rodgers seems to be hitting full stride while Best has been slowed by the defenses of Arizona State, Oregon and USC. Against said three, Best has failed to produce over four yards a carry and managed just a combined 165 ground yards.

Backup Shane Vereen has added 377 yards on the ground and six scores to Best’s 838 and 11, respectively. Quizz is 78 yards shy of his second 1,000 yard season in as many years.

The Texas Brick continues to showcase his versatility week after week -- Rodgers has 371 receiving yards and last week even threw for his first career touchdown.

Pick: Push. Jacquizz can be a do-it-all back for OSU while Vereen and Best are a potent 1-2 punch for the Bears -- both styles suit their respective offenses and are very productive.

Quarterback: Kevin Riley is finally playing up to his billing -- maybe. His completion percentage is nothing to write home about (55.5) however the 1,805 yards and impressive 13 touchdown to just two interceptions has aided in California ranking third in total offense (427.4) and first in the Pac-10 in turnover margin at plus eight.

After starting slow last week, Sean Canfield threw for over 300 yards for the third time in the past four weeks and the second week straight.

Canfield is on pace to throw for over 3,000 yards and quite easily break Matt Moore’s 2006 completion percentage record of 60.6 -- he sits at 68.9 percent on the aging season.

Pick: Push. Canfield’s yards are slightly higher, but he has more turnovers and less scores. Riley is at home and playing well, Canfield has played well on the road -- see USC.

Receivers: The trio of leading receivers for Cal all average better than 14 yards per reception. But of the 13 total receiving scores, tailbacks Best and Vereen have six.

Leading receiver Marvin Jones (366 yards) is the only wideout with more than one score (5).

The yards are there, the touchdowns are there, however nearly half (635 yards and six scores) of the production is coming out of the backfield or from the tight end position.

Oregon State, meanwhile, has had tremendous production from their top two wideouts. James Rodgers and Damola Adeniji have combined for 1,167 yards and eight scores and are good for over 11 yards a catch.

Pick: OSU. Both teams get good receiving production out of their backs, but OSU utilizes their talents on the outside better than do the Bears.

Tight Ends: Joe Halahuni and Brady Camp have been good for 302 receiving yards and two scores (both by Camp) for the Beavers this season.

Sophomore Anthony Miller and Senior Skylar Curran are mirror images of Halahuni and Camp in the stat book. Between them they have 295 yards and one score (Curran).

Pick: Push. Neither duo has been used enough this season to be considered primary threats, Halahuni's game at USC was noteworthy but last week, he had only two receptions. Still, both TE groups have contributed adequately when asked.