Every week during football season, our sports staff will discuss different topics around an upcoming game. Today, digital sports editor Victor Flores and sports reporters Christopher Keizur and Justin Wise discuss Saturday’s matchup between Oregon and California.

1) What will be the matchup that decides the game? Why?

Victor Flores – Fans are understandably excited to see Cal’s Jared Goff pass the ball, but the final outcome might be determined more by the plays when Goff hands the ball off. While the Ducks’ defense has been fine against the run this year, Oregon’s front seven — which features several first-year starters — hasn’t truly been tested yet. Cal’s running game on the other hand, has faced some tough run defenses in 2013 and has struggled to produce. It’s possible that Oregon’s run defense is actually worse than currently perceived while Cal’s run defense is better. A good game by the Bears on the ground could make them a serious threat to upset the Ducks.

Christopher Keizur – The matchup that will decide the game will be between Marcus Mariota and the California defensive ends. Anytime a team faces a zone read offense, it is important to be able to keep, contain and force the runners back to the inside. Whether Cal’s defensive ends can do this and stop Mariota from ripping off his devastating quarterback keepers will determine whether the Bears can stay in the game.

Justin Wise – In this Pac-12 opener for both teams, the essential matchup that will determine this game is Cal’s aerial attack against Oregon’s secondary. True freshman Jared Goff is second in the nation in passing yards and his average of over 56 passing attempts a game is the reason why. If Oregon’s highly-touted secondary can create turnovers early, which Goff and Cal have been prone to do, the game could wrap up shortly. Goff presents an unfamiliar challenge that will likely display the strengths and weaknesses of this pass defense.

 2) Score Prediction?

Victor Flores – Oregon will win 56-31, which looks closer than the game will actually be. The Ducks will run and pass all over California’s defense in the first half, and Oregon’s defensive backs will pester Cal’s receivers like flies buzzing around your face as you’re trying to write a term paper. The Bears will score most of their points in the fourth quarter when the Ducks are using their second-string players.

Christopher Keizur – This isn’t going to be a close game, so brace for the inevitable early exits from the student section. Oregon will have the game locked up by halftime, and they’ll win by a final score of 52-17.

Justin Wise – First year head coach Sonny Dykes and Cal will wrap up this daunting four-game stretch Saturday, in which they’ll have played three ranked opponents. This game could very well be the ugliest. Cal has the potential to cause some early fits like Tennessee did, but all signs point to more of the same on Saturday with a runaway victory for Marcus Mariota and company. Cal’s offense will generate some points, however this one won’t be close. Oregon 59-27.

3) Who will throw for more yards: Marcus Mariota or Jared Goff? Why?

Victor Flores – The difference in their yard totals will be fairly close when the game ends, but Goff will end up passing for more simply because the Ducks will stop throwing by the third quarter. Plus, Goff will face some of Oregon’s second-stringers midway through the fourth quarter. That said, Mariota will put up big numbers in the first half just like he did against Tennessee two weeks ago.

Christopher Keizur – Despite Mariota being a favorite for the Heisman, I think Jared Goff will end with more yards through the air. The Ducks are going to start running the ball after taking an early lead, and I would be surprised if Mariota makes more than a cameo appearance in the third quarter. Plus, Goff throws the ball — a lot. Cal is currently second in the nation in passing yards per game.

Justin Wise – Mariota showed how much of a threat through the air he can be during his 456-yard passing performance in the Ducks’ 59-10 drubbing of Tennessee. However, he is only averaging about 27 passes a game compared to Goff’s 56. Understanding the disparities in each team’s attack points to Goff throwing for more yards. Does that mean Goff will have the better performance of the two? No, but Goff will be in a situation where he will have to pass a lot, especially if they are trailing throughout.

4) Both Dykes and Helfrich are the new head coaches. Who do you think can make the bigger impact on their team by the end of the season?

Victor Flores – Dykes has already made a bigger impact simply because he’s replaced a fired head coach (Jeff Tedford) instead of replacing one who chose to take a job elsewhere, like Helfrich did for Chip Kelly. Helfrich has done an admirable job replacing Kelly and he might be a better coach than Dykes, but he hasn’t introduced a new offense like Dykes has. Dykes is helping change an entire culture. Besides, Helfrich’s impact was felt long before he became head coach because he was the offensive coordinator under Kelly.

Christopher Keizur – Coach Helfrich was fortunate enough to adopt a talented football team from his predecessor, so there really aren’t many changes he needs to make. On the flip side, Coach Dykes helms a team that only won three games in 2012. He has a much steeper hill to climb in terms of changing the mindset and identity of his team.

Justin Wise – Sonny Dykes and Mark Helfrich are in entirely different situations as first-year head coaches. Helfrich undertakes a national championship contender without any renewal or rebuilding processes. Dykes is currently in the beginning stages of instituting his air raid-type offense at a new program with a true freshman quarterback. His impact will be seen in much longer terms with a rough transition season ahead. Meanwhile, Helfrich is showing all Oregon fans that no change will occur due to the departure of Chip Kelly.

5) What will be the best Pac-12 game of the week? Why?

Victor Flores – Watch out for a potential upset by Washington State over No. 5 Stanford. First of all, the Cougars are playing at home, which is always ideal if you’re an underdog. Secondly, they’ve legitimately looked like a solid team this season. They’re 3-1, with the one loss coming in a game they nearly won over Auburn. Stanford is the better team, but expect Washington State to at least be close during the fourth quarter.

Christopher Keizur – Arizona at No. 16 Washington looks to be a great matchup. Both teams come into the game undefeated, and a win by either would go a long way in helping their chances to make a good bowl game at the end of the year.

Justin Wise – No. 16 Washington vs. Arizona features two undefeated teams in their Pac-12 opener. Washington has one of the best offenses in the nation, averaging 629 yards of total offense a game, and Keith Price has looked as sharp as he ever has. On the other end, Arizona has an offensive threat of its own with a rushing attack averaging 322.3 yards a game. It is also difficult to gauge the output from each offense considering the weak non-conference schedules both played, but it is certain that this game will tell a lot about where these teams are at this point in the year.