No more talking about the Tennessee game, California is clearly past that. And after the Bears’ performance against Oregon this week, the books should be, too. Oregon came into Cal undefeated and looking to make a point as well – that their controversial win over Oklahoma was past them. They didn’t even have a chance to work up a sweat before the Bears were off and rolling. Cal picked off Dennis Dixon on the first play of the game and drove the requisite seven yards for the touchdown. That play was the springboard for a 28-3 lead, and the Bears coasted from there.
Cal has always been able to run the ball, and in Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett, they have one of the best running back tandems in the country. Where they’re really starting to improve is in the passing game, and that`s no surprise. Both Nate Longshore and Joe Ayoob struggled mightily early in the season, but Longshore has clearly emerged as the man in Berkley. He`s completed 91-of-137 for 1,325 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions since that game, and is starting to look very comfortable in head coach Jeff Tedford’s complex offense.
Tedford is famous for grooming studs at quarterback and Longshore appears to be his latest success. He in complete control of the Bears offense, beautifully mixing long and short passes and keeping the Ducks’ defense on its toes. Cal had some soft lines in its last five games, winning all five against the spread. Oddsmakers will now have to be well aware that these guys mean business. Don’t look for that trend to continue for too much longer.
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