The California Golden Bears are no longer happy with simply being a bowl team, they want a national championship. With one of the best offenses in the country a championship is a realistic possibility for a team that for years was poor. After 4 straight bowl appearances Cal is looking to make it 5 and knock off their nemises USC. SportsBetting.com has made the California Golden Bears 40 to 1 betting odds to win the 2008 BCS. Head Coach Jeff Tedford's is a master of creating mismatches with the X's and O's. Tedford has some weapons to work with this year that can break games wide open. Intelligent QB Nate Longshore, 6-5 225, has learned the system and is poised for a huge year. RB Justin Forsett, 5-8 186, will be a the feature back after gaining 626 yards and 4 TD's last year. Forsett will have to replace NFL departed Marshawn Lynch which are some big shoes to fill but Forsett runs hard and has some elusive moves.
WR\PR DeShaun Jackson, 6-0 165, is a Heisman Trophy canidate and one of the best athlete's in the nation. Whenever Jackson has the ball in his hands there is a possiblity he will take it to the house. Behind DeShaun is a fleet of 4 receivers that are only average size but can all play good football. TE Craig Stevens, 6-5 254, is an all-conference player that provides a huge target for Longshore along with veteran leadership. The offensive line will have a new left side but should be a good unit overall.
California uses the 4-3 a very standard defense that doesn't blitz too often. The Bears front four only returns one starter in wide bodied Sr. tackle Matt Malele, 6-1 335. A big void was left when the lines best player DT Brandon Mebane graduated. The replacements however are all capable with raw DE Rulon Davis, 6-5 275, having the most upside with his 4.8 speed off the edge. The linebackers are a steady veteran group that Cal relies upon heavily to stop the running game. OLB Zack Follet, 6-2 237, is a capable player that makes plays. In the secondary there will be a 4 way competition for the cornerback spot that was left vacant by star Dameion Hughes.
California has a lot of depth in the secondary with lots of hungry players eager to step up. The secondary should be a team strength with a smart cover corner in Syd'Quan Thompson, 5-11, 178, and super athletic redshirt freshman Darian Hagan, 6-1 180. The special teams will be one of the best in the nation with both the Kicking game being solid. DeShaun Jackson is this years version of Ted Ginn Jr. with his ability to change game plans and make opposing punters avoid even kicking to him.
The California Bears have a dynamic offense that will tough for anyone to contend with. If Cal can get revenge on Tennessee early at home their confidence will be sky high. With a favorable schedule the Bears will probably end up in a BCS game.
Brad Marchetti Opening Day California Bears Power Ratings: 20-80 Scale
20- Poor
30- Well Below Average
40- Below Average
50- Average
60- Above Average
70- Very Good
80- Great
Coaching: 75
Quarterback : 70
Backs : 70
Receivers : 70
Offensive Line : 65
Defensive Line : 50
Linebackers : 60
Secondary : 55
Special Teams : 70
1 comment:
I'm a little surprised our scores are as low as they are for QB, backs, receivers and special teams...not that they are really that low. But what can we expect from a guy who does NO spell check on players' names (DeShaun? Dameion?)...yet he manages to get Syd'Quan right!?
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