Sports Illustrated: Title Contender: Cal

If Tedford develops a QB, Bears will be dangerous

By Stewart Mandel, SI.com

Why Cal can win it all: The Bears may have the best offense and defense in the Pac-10. Offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar, hired from Northwestern to install the spread, figures to create opportunities for RBs Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett. Preseason All-Americas DT Brandon Mebane and CB Daymeion Hughes lead a veteran defense that came on late last year.

What must fall into place: There's one huge question mark hovering over the Bears: quarterback. Sophomore Nate Longshore is the projected starter, but he missed nearly all of last season with a broken ankle. He'll need to shake off the rust and handle the reads in Cal's new spread formations. The O-line, which lost three starters to the NFL, must pull its weight as well.

How it could go wrong: The Bears' offense is loaded with weapons -- Lynch, Forsett, receivers DeSean Jackson and Robert Jordan -- but it won't go far if Longshore and/or backup Joe Ayoob makes as many poor decisions as Ayoob did last year (14 interceptions). It also doesn't help Cal to be visiting USC near the end of the season (Nov. 18), when the experience edge matters less.

Good omen: Another Pac-10 team, Oregon, improved by five wins last year after installing the spread. Five more wins by Cal would mean an undefeated season.