ESPN: Best and Cal Would Rather Throw Up and Win

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By Ted Miller

California running back Jahvid Best said one word to describe the Bears as they prepare for a visit from Colorado State is "hungry."  That's good because Best and Cal's last performance at Maryland wasn't terribly appetizing.  The then-23rd-ranked Bears threw up on themselves figuratively in that 35-27 defeat, while Best did so literally, becoming a YouTube phenomenon after a devastating hit from cornerback Kevin Barnes had him leaving a technicolor pizza on the Terrapins' Byrd Stadium turf. For a human highlight reel player like Best, who's produce a pair of 80-plus yard TD runs this year, it's fair to say that's not his favorite viral video. "I've heard a lot of about it," he said. "Hopefully I'll be able to have another highlight and put that thing in the past."  Another thing the Bears want to leave in the past: Talking about last year's second-half implosion. Yet it's impossible to avoid this week after the upset defeat to an inferior team.

Cal was unable to rebound after a couple of disappointing losses last year and dropped six of its final seven regular-season games. There was talk of locker room dissention, and when the disappointing season ended coach Jeff Tedford dropped his play-calling duties in order to be more involved with the overall management of the team.  So, after dropping out of the rankings, will the Bears duplicate last year's flop or will they refocus and return to the Pac-10 and national picture?

"It's totally different from last year," Tedford said. "We were 5-0 and No. 2 in the country [in 2007]. This year it's not that way. A totally different situation. That being said, I think the leadership and chemistry is a little bit different than last year. I have been pleased with how they have responded at least through the week of practice last week."  Tedford made sure things held together during the bye week by increasing the intensity of practices. Live contact tends to prevent complacency because the complacent often end up seeing stars on their rear ends.  "It was a lot more physical," LB Anthony Felder said. "We went live a couple of times, we had tackling drills, etc. I think the emphasis from the coaches was on physicality -- we needed to get into a physical mentality."  Another obvious angle is the Mountain West Conference's 5-0 record thus far vs. the Pac-10. While reporters found the shocking record interesting and worthy of discussion, conference pride didn't seem to be high on Tedford's list of concerns.  "We have enough to worry about taking care of our stuff," he said. "I don't think we need to worry about trying to carry the torch for the conference."

Best, however, was more than willing to wave the Pac-10 flag.  "We definitely feel like we're representing the Pac-10 as well as ourselves," he said.