Matchup Has the Feel of a Big One

The only matchup between undefeated ranked teams today will be at the Rose Bowl when No. 10 California plays No. 20 UCLA.

“It doesn’t get any better than this -- two top-20 teams playing one another in the Rose Bowl in front of a near-capacity crowd. It is pretty exciting,” California Coach Jeff Tedford said.

Said UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell: “There’s been an urgency to get things corrected for [today’s game]. We understand the caliber of opponent ... and all of the issues regarding the Pac-10 with two undefeated teams going against each other.”

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After not getting much work in the first two games, punter Aaron Perez has been busy lately. Inconsistency has been a problem for the redshirt freshman, who is averaging 39 yards a punt.

Although he had one 50-yard punt downed inside the five-yard line against Washington last week, Perez cost UCLA field position with several bad kicks, including one of 13 yards.

“He’s a young player that’s working his way through this experience,” Dorrell said. “He’s getting better. Experience takes care of a lot of things, and the more he punts in game-like situations, the better he’ll be.”

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California quarterback Joe Ayoob, a junior college transfer, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he has never played before a crowd as large as the one expected today at the Rose Bowl. “I think it will be fun,” he said. “The more, the merrier.”

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The home team has won the last five games in the UCLA-Cal series, which the Bruins lead, 47-27-1.... UCLA has the best red-zone offense in the Pac-10, scoring 17 of 18 times they have been inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Cal has the conference’s best red-zone defense, stopping opponents from scoring four of 11 times.... A crowd of 80,000 is expected, with 2,000 reserved seats still remaining.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

No. 10 California (5-0, 2-0)

at No. 20 UCLA (4-0, 1-0)

Today, 4:30 p.m.

TV: TBS Radio: 570

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WHEN UCLA HAS THE BALL

Junior Maurice Drew and the Bruin running game has been shut down the last two games. If Drew continues to struggle, look for sophomore Chris Markey to get more carries. Quarterback Drew Olson has been efficient and has done a good job of throwing to a variety of receivers. But the Bruins can never throw the ball too much to tight end Marcedes Lewis.

WHEN CALIFORNIA HAS THE BALL

The Bears have the seventh-best rushing attack in the nation, led by linemen Marvin Philip, Aaron Merz, Ryan O’Callaghan and Andrew Cameron, each weighing 300 pounds or more. Running backs Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett are both capable of big games. Quarterback Joe Ayoob has played well on the road and the Bears have solid receivers in Robert Jordan and DeSean Jackson.

KEYS TO A UCLA VICTORY

1. Slow the Bears to a jog. Cal is a dominant running team that relies on Lynch and Forsett. The more Ayoob is forced to pass, the better for the Bruins.

2. Keep the chains moving. Punter Aaron Perez, a redshirt freshman, has been shaky lately. The less he has to work the better.

3. Big first-down gains. The more quarterback Olson can stay out of third-and-long situations, the better.

HOW THEY COMPARE

*--* UCLA California 42.2 Scoring 40.2 20.8 Points Allowed 10.6 271.0 Passing Offense 199.2 148.0 Rushing Offense 259.4 419.0 Total offense 458.6 184.5 Passing Defense 196.6 179.5 Rushing Defense 92.0 364.0 Total Defense 288.6

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-- Lonnie White