USC (3-4, 1-3) vs. California (3-4, 2-2)

* Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Channel 9.

* Story line: USC blew a 21-point lead against Cal last season in a 32-31 loss and has relived that agony the last two weeks with 21-point collapses against Notre Dame and Stanford. Neither of these teams should get comfortable with a lead, though: Cal blew a 14-point lead in a 31-27 loss to Washington last week when the Huskies scored the winning touchdown with 50 seconds left.

* USC update: The Trojans have lost three games in a row for the first time since 1996 and are trying to avoid their first four-game losing streak since 1991. They are 3-7 away from home since Paul Hackett became coach. Mike Van Raaphorst has performed far better than expected in relief of injured quarterback Carson Palmer, but the Trojans are 1-3 since he became the starter.

* Cal update: The Bears’ only victories are over Rutgers, Arizona State and UCLA, but they had a solid shot at upsetting Washington last week. Inexperience is the word on offense, with freshmen starting at quarterback (Kyle Boller) and tailback (Joe Igber). The defense, led by linebacker Sekou Sanyika, is statistically the best in the Pacific 10 Conference.

* Edge to USC: The Trojan defense should be able to handle Cal’s freshman offense, but USC might have to go to the air to score against a Cal rushing defense that gives up only 117 yards a game.

* Line: USC by 5 1/2.