SF Chronicle: Best ready to make own noise at Autzen

Jahvid Best didn't exactly play a huge role in Cal's offense the last time the Bears visited Eugene, Ore. He had three carries for 6 yards Sept. 29, 2007, when Cal came back in the fourth quarter to earn a 31-24 victory over Oregon. Even so, some strong memories linger for Best on the brink of Saturday's game at Autzen Stadium. "The crowd noise is crazy up there," he said Wednesday. "Honestly, any other away game I don't even hear the crowd. Oregon was the only place where it really got on my nerves. ... It felt like it was 10 feet between the sideline and the crowd."  Best figures to spend substantially more time on the field Saturday. He didn't do much in practice the past two days because of a sore foot - after his heaviest workload this season (26 carries) against Minnesota - but Best insisted he will be fine for the game. His five-touchdown performance clearly impressed national analysts. Best climbed to second in this week's espn.com "Heisman Watch," behind only Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Tebow collected nine first-place votes and Best got six.

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