MATCHUPS: No. 5 USC (3-0, 0-0) at California (3-0, 0-0)

Today, 12:30 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Berkeley. TV: Channel 7. Radio: 710

Marquee matchup

Tee Martin vs. Justin Wilcox and Tim DeRuyter: Martin, USC’s offensive coordinator, had maybe his best game against Stanford two weeks ago. Saturday, when USC was six of 21 on third and fourth downs against Texas, may have been among his worst, though Martin didn’t see it that way. “No, Alabama was really hard,” he said. Wilcox and DeRuyter’s defense shut out high-octane Mississippi in the second half last week.

Getting offensive

USC (537.3 ypg/39.3 ppg): USC’s running game nosedived from 6.6 yards per carry in its first two games to 1.9 in its third. Quarterback Sam Darnold had 397 yards passing against Texas and would have had a lot more if not for at least six drops. Cal (433.0 ypg/31.7

ppg): Patrick Laird, a former walk-on, has become Cal’s lead running back and saved the Bears from embarrassment against Weber State with 191 yards and three touchdowns in 12 carries. Quarterback Ross Bowers has passed for 799 yards for five touchdowns with four interceptions. He may be without his best receiving option, Demetris Robertson, who did not play against Mississippi because of an undisclosed injury.

Getting defensive

USC (355.0 ypg/26.3

ppg): USC’s defense gave up just 10 points in regulation to Texas. The secondary was stressed late but mostly because USC’s pass rush, which finished with five sacks, let even more sacks escape after injuries to end Rasheem Green and outside linebacker Porter Gustin.

Cal (475.7 ypg/22.0

ppg): Linebacker Devante Downs had 14 tackles, including two sacks among three tackles for loss, and an interception against Mississippi. Cal gives up a lot of yardage, but it has often bent without breaking.

Something special

The Bears have not returned a punt this season. USC punter Reid Budrovich is seventh nationally in punt distance. Cal kicker Matt Anderson has made four of seven field goals. USC’s Chase McGrath made two huge kicks to tie and beat Texas.

Of note

USC has not lost to Cal since 2003. … Cal running back Biaggio Ali Walsh is a grandson of Muhammad Ali.

Local ties

The Bears have 43 players from Southern California, including many starters: Left tackle Patrick Mekari (Westlake Village), center Addison Ooms (Laguna Niguel), fullback Malik McMorris (Santa Ana), nose guard Tony Mekari (Westlake Village), linebacker Raymond Davison III (Los Angeles), cornerback Camryn Bynum (Corona), cornerback Elijah Hicks, safety Quentin Tartabull (Mission Hills), safety Jaylinn Hawkins (Buena Park), punter Dylan Klumph (Malibu) and long snapper Alonso Vera (Carson).

Two USC starters are from Northern California: Cameron Smith (Roseville) and tight end Tyler Petite (Lafayette).