Sporting News: Top 25 Countdown: No. 12 California

Read the article here.

Bob Clark

For Sporting News

A quick-hit look at the 2006 California Bears:

OFFENSE

As if the Bears didn't already offer a full array of innovative plays out of their standard pro set, now they've brought in coordinator Mike Dunbar, who directed the spread offense of Northwestern. Nate Longshore, a sophomore, won the job last year but was injured in the first quarter of the season opener. He has skills and can make all the throws. If he falters, look for Tedford to go to senior Joe Ayoob or redshirt freshman Kyle Reed. Marshawn Lynch rushed for 1,246 yards last season despite missing two games with injuries and sharing time with Justin Forsett, who might lead the Pac-10 in rushing if he weren't Lynch's backup.

DEFENSE

The Bears try to keep things fairly basic in their standard 4-3, the primary goal being to limit big plays, and that certainly played out well last season with so many new starters. This unit's experience probably now can handle more variety, but the question might be whether that's necessary considering the abilities of the seven returning starters. Brandon Mebane, the tackle who recorded seven sacks last season, will dominate offenses and mandate double-teams. The linebackers, with Desmond Bishop in the middle, are battle- tested.

COACHING STAFF

Head coach Jeff Tedford didn't lose much when he replaced two assistants and an offensive coordinator in the offseason. He lured Dan Ferrigno away from Oregon to take on wide receivers. When the need for a linebackers coach came up, Tedford brought back Bob Foster.Foster then came out of retirement to help start Tedford's tenure at Cal in 2002. Dunbar is the only newcomer without ties to Tedford.   A PAC-10 COACH SAYS They run the ball so well, and that's an underrated part of their offense. It doesn't matter who plays quarterback for them. Jeff Tedford's offense is the key. … They play defense better than you think. It's a bend-but-don't-break style that forces you to drive the ball without going into the middle of the field. … They have some great athletes on that side, like CB Daymeion Hughes. He's a smart player who picks up opposing teams' tendencies well.

BOTTOM LINE

In 2005--a rebuilding year--three of Cal's four defeats were close calls. One was by three points, another in overtime and the third because of a monumental comeback by UCLA. Assuming the Bears find a quarterback who can make use of all the talent around him, they should be in contention for the Pac-10 title.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 2 at Tennessee

Sept. 9 Minnesota

Sept. 16 Portland State

Sept. 23 Arizona State

Sept. 30 at Oregon State

Oct. 7 Oregon

Oct. 14 at Washington State

Oct. 21 Washington

Nov. 4 UCLA

Nov. 11 at Arizona

Nov. 18 at USC

Dec. 2 Stanford

GOLDEN BEARS DATA

Stadium: California Memorial (artificial, 67,537)

Site: Berkeley, Calif.

Coach: Jeff Tedford (33-17, 4 years)

Offensive coordinator: Mike Dunbar (1st year)

Defensive coordinator: Bob Gregory (5th year)

Offensive scheme: Multiple

Defensive scheme: 4-3

Last league title won: 1975 (tie)

Last year not in a bowl: 2002

2005 record: 8-4, 4-4/T4th Pac-10