It is unclear who will play quarterback for California this week, but the man who ends up taking the snaps has the comfort of knowing that much of his work is handled by the guy who makes them.

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Center Alex Mack is more than a quarterback for the offensive line; he is a second signal caller in the check- and switch-heavy system designed by coach Jeff Tedford. Mack calls the pass protection and run-blocking scheme for the line and running backs, a bigger workload than is typical for his position.

Add a 6-foot-4, 316-pound frame, stellar blocking skills and improving footwork to Mack’s loads of smarts, and he is one of the premier centers in college football and likely a high NFL draft selection.

“He’s so valuable, not just to the offensive line, but the entire team,” said Tedford, whose Golden Bears host Arizona State on Saturday. “He is a dominant player, a guy who wins one-on-one matchups. He’s very intelligent, so he can direct traffic for the offense. It’s great to have someone with that much experience out there.”

Mack, a third-year starter, will snap the ball to Kevin Riley or Nate Longshore, who are battling for the QB job in practice this week. Riley, the first-stringer since training camp, was ineffective against Colorado State last week and was replaced by Longshore, the starter in 2006 and ’07.

“The quarterback situation has been this way for a long time,” said Mack, winner of the Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the Pac-10 last year.

“We’re used to having Nate and Riley in there. The transition doesn’t affect me personally. I have confidence in both guys. They’ve shown that they can make plays, so I know both guys will be prepared if they come in. We’ve been switching out those guys a lot in practice, going back to spring ball.”

A senior, Mack and Jonathan Luigs of Arkansas are considered the top centers in the nation. Mack is projected as a late first-round or second-round draft choice.

One of Mack’s biggest goals for this year was improving his run blocking. Scouts quickly notice his ability to push back and finish blocks, but he sometimes overextends himself.

“At times, it looks like I’m falling around or being clumsy,” Mack said. “But I’m just trying to get the extra inch. I need to slow my upper body down and control my feet a little more and keep driving guys.”

However, the extra read and recognition responsibilities figures to prepare Mack most for the next level. After four years in Tedford’s offense — “I don’t know how it could get more difficult,” he said, chuckling — Mack should not be overwhelmed by an NFL playbook.

“It requires you to watch more film and make sure I read the right things, because the whole offensive line adjusts to the calls I make,” Mack said. “I’m the starting point. The quarterback and I kind of split the reading duties, and that gives the QB more freedom because he doesn’t have to worry about everything.

“I set the offensive line and the running backs, and the quarterback will alert the offense if changes need to be made beyond that. For me, it’s good because the QB and I are on the same page, and you’re more confident in the entire offense.”

Mack has been called perhaps the best offensive player, period, in the Pac-10, an amazing feat for a lineman in a conference known for its prowess at the skill positions.

To Tedford, the lofty praise for Mack is not indicative of a massive improvement. He has been this talented for a while, the coach said.

“People are watching him more since he is eligible for the draft,” Tedford said. “I don’t know if anyone really watched him all that much last year. But he continues to be a dominant guy.”

The distinction Mack is most proud of is the Morris Trophy. One is awarded to the top lineman on each side of the ball, with the starting defensive linemen voting for the offensive winner and vice versa.

“That award is voted on by the defensive linemen, my peers and the guys I compete against each week,” Mack said. “This season, a couple of defensive linemen, as we shook hands after the game, said that they were trying to get a sack against me and couldn’t. I know that defenses are gunning for me and trying to beat me. That’s motivating, because I want to perform well and help the team win.”