High octane offense

SEATTLE – Call it USC light.

Like the Trojans of a year ago, California’s offense features a couple of star running backs, some fast, talented receivers and a quarterback able to take advantage of all the weapons.

Add in a Washington defense coming off of one of its worst games of the season, and it could equal a long day for the Huskies (2-2 Pacific-10, 4-3 overall) when they play at No. 11 Cal (4-0, 6-1) at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The good news for Washington is that Cal is coming off of its worst offensive game since a season-opening loss to Tennessee. The Golden Bears put up just 21 points in a win over Washington State last week, primarily relying on running back Marshawn Lynch as the Cougars slowed the Cal passing game. But that also may be the bad news, as the Bears are pushing to reach a Bowl Championship Series game and need all the impressive wins they can get.

A week ago, Washington was unable to stop a struggling Oregon State offense, getting beat up front by the Beavers offensive line and running back Yvenson Bernard, and picked apart by quarterback Matt Moore and receiver Sammie Stroughter. And realistically, that offense doesn’t approach what the Huskies will see this weekend.

Until last week, Cal had scored at least 40 points in five-straight games. It is 10th in the nation in scoring offense (36.7), 14th in passing offense (265.3) and ninth in total offense (434.0).

Running back Marshawn Lynch leads the Pac-10 in rushing at 108.1 yards a game, and is backed up by Justin Forsett, who would start for most other teams in the conference. Quarterback Nate Longshore averages 226.6 yards passing, completing 63.3 perecent with 17 touchdowns. Receiver DeSean Jackson averages 83 yards a game, 17.6 yards a catch and leads the league with eight touchdown catches. Receiver Lavelle Hawkins averages 16 yards a catch.

In other words, California can move the ball, and move it fast.

“We are playing one of the most explosive teams in the country right now,” UW coach Tyrone Willingham said. “They’re scoring at a pretty good rate and they’re doing it quickly.”

“They’re the best team I’ve seen top-to-bottom on offense,” UW defensive coordinator Kent Baer said. “The offensive line is very comparable to USC. … The quarterback’s playing great, just not making any mistakes. He’s not losing games for them and he’s winning football games for them. The back is as good as we’ve seen. Not many backs in that league that he’s in. … The receivers are fast. I don’t see any weaknesses. They’re clicking on all cylinders.”

Washington’s biggest concern is keeping Cal from breaking off many big plays, a problem it had with Oregon State. California’s receivers are as fast as any in the conference and the Bears are not afraid to take shots down the field.

“We have receivers that can really run and Nate does a good job of throwing it,” Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. “We’ve been fortunate to hit some of those long balls. …You’ve got to take your shots from time-to-time with the deep ball.”

Already known as a top offensive coach, Tedford added to his staff in the offseason, bringing in Mike Dunbar to serve as offensive coordinator. A Washington graduate from Tacoma and former head coach at Central Washington, Dunbar last year was offensive coordinator at Northwestern, which ranked fourth in the nation in total offense. Dunbar has brought concepts of the spread option offense to an already dangerous Cal attack.

“He brought some new ideas organizationally with the game plan,” Tedford said. “He’s been real positive with the quarterbacks. …Especially the shotgun. We were never in the shotgun last year, we’re in it quite a bit this year.”

But don’t expect to see a lot of option out of the Bears, not with Lynch to carry the ball and Jackson to stretch the defense. The Huskies say the key to slowing things down is being physical and tackling well.

“They’re explosive,” defensive back Dashon Goldson said. “We have to tackle. We have to make sure we get them on the ground and not go for the big hit.”