Oregon Football vs. California: Offensive and Defensive Numbers
By Alex Weber
Oregon Football hits the road to take on the California Golden Bears on Saturday night. Both teams enter at 3-0, but the similarities end there.
The 19th ranked Oregon Football team kicks off this evening against the California Golden Bears, the 24th ranked team in the nation. Here are all the numbers you’ll need to know for today’s bout.
Stats via Sports Reference
Passing Yards per Game:
Oregon: 303.3 (2nd Pac-12)
California: 200.7 (11th Pac-12)
Obviously, Oregon has the edge here. California certainly isn’t the air-it-out and spread style team that the Ducks are. Oregon, behind the cannon of starting quarterback Justin Herbert, has the second most passing yards in the conference at a shade over 300.
Rushing Yards per Game:
Oregon: 205.5 (3rd Pac-12)
California: 185.7 (4th Pac-12)
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Oregon once again has the numbers advantage in this phase of the game. Behind a constantly rotating committee of running backs, Oregon can give defenses a myriad of looks on the ground game. California, on the other hand, is another good running team. I know they average less yards than Oregon, but they can’t be taken for granted — quarterback Chase Garbers included. You have to remember, this team has played overall stiffer competition than the Ducks.
Total Yards per Game:
Oregon: 508.3 (2nd Pac-12)
California: 386.3 (9th Pac-12)
It’s no secret that Oregon has the more potent offense of the two. With certain future Sunday regular Justin Herbert taking snaps, and CJ Verdell and Tony Brooks-James behind him, and Dillon Mitchell out wide, this Oregon offense has a plethora of weapons — enough to give any team fits on defense. If Oregon is firing on all cylinders, the Cal offense will have a tough time keeping up.
Pass Yards Allowed per Game:
Oregon: 251.3 (11th Pac-12)
California: 170.7 (4th Pac-12)
Here’s where the number begin to favor the Golden Bears. Their secondary has been sturdy and reliable thus far, but hasn’t faced a passer as elite as Herbert. Oregon’s secondary, on the other hand, has been a rather disappointing aspect of the squad. They cannot let Garbers get comfortable today.
Rush Yards Allowed per Game:
Oregon: 80.3 (1st Pac-12)
California: 131.7 (5th Pac-12)
Oregon has the best rush defense in the conference, by far. But that’s purely from a numbers standpoint. Through four games, they’ve fortified the line of scrimmage, not even letting Bryce Love surpass 90 yards on the ground. California will almost definitely struggle establishing the ground game, which would bode very well for the Oregon Ducks.
Total Yards Allowed per Game:
Oregon: 331.5 (5th Pac-12)
California: 302.3 (3rd Pac-12)
There it is: California’s defense, as of September 29th, is the better of the two. The Golden Bears are absolutely more balanced on that end, and, according to Kirk Herbstreit on College Gameday, is a top 5 defense in the country. I’m not sure I’d go that far, but they’re legit. Herbert, Verdell, Mitchell and the rest of the offense should be ready for a test. A test that I think they’ll pass.
Oregon Football meets California Saturday Night at 7:35 pm Pacific Time on Fox Sports 1.