USC Newspaper Writes About Cal

COMMENTARY: Despite losing 10 starters, cupboard isn't bare for Cal
By Dan Greenspan Daily Trojan
Los Angeles, CA (U-WIRE) -- It wasn't supposed to end like this for the most successful California football team in more than five decades.
Not with Aaron Rodgers shuffling off the field after a humiliating Holiday Bowl loss to Texas Tech and into the NFL Draft.
Not after seeing Texas out politick them into the Rose Bowl and, once there, win a thrilling, last-second affair with Michigan.
Not after seeing the USC team they had a chance to beat with a first and goal in the Coliseum roll to the national championship.
Yet in spite of those setbacks and the fact that only 11 starters return, the lowest figure in the Pacific-10 Conference, the 2005 Golden Bears seem poised to cement their place as an elite program in college football.
That optimism starts up front with sophomore tailback Marshawn Lynch and an offensive line that returns four starters. Lynch, charged with replacing J.J. Arrington's 2,018 rushing yards, had 10 touchdowns and 8.8 yards per carry in a backup role last season.
Blocking for him is a veteran crew, anchored by All-American center Marvin Philip and senior tackle Ryan O'Callaghan.
Those five should allow head coach Jeff Tedford to ease in a new starting quarterback.
"There's no question that with a veteran offensive line and talented running backs coming back that the quarterback doesn't feel like it's all got to be on his shoulders," Tedford said.
The competition to replace Rodgers comes down to new transfer Joe Ayoob and redshirt sophomore Nate Longshore. Coming to Berkeley from the College of the Canyons, Ayoob compiled a pass efficiency mark of 177.5 and earned All-American honors last fall. He also earned the moniker of the "white Michael Vick" from junior college teammate and Oregon State-bound receiver Ruben Jackson for his mobility and elusiveness.
Another potential stumbling block for Cal is the loss of four of its top five receivers from last year. With listed starters Sam DeSa and Robert Jordan combining for only 30 grabs in 2004, freshman DeSean Jackson from Long Beach Poly is expected to contribute immediately.
Regardless of who starts under center and is catching passes, they will lead an offense that has produced more than 400 points in each of Tedford's prior three seasons leading the Bears. A true offensive guru that has molded passers such as Rodgers, Kyle Boller and David Carr, he spurned overtures from the NFL and other programs to sign a lucrative five-year extension to stay in Strawberry Canyon.
With their headman back and a reasonably favorable schedule, the conference title may well again come down to a battle between the Bears and the Trojans. When the teams meet in Memorial Stadium on Nov. 12, another Golden Bear victory could make amends for 2004's disappointing end.