1. Best in show
In his first season as the full-time starter, Jahvid Best proved he is one of the most dynamic running backs not only in the Pac-10 Conference, but in all of college football. The speedster, who won the California state track and field title in the 100 meters in high school, gained 1,580 yards last year, averaging a gaudy 8.1 yards per carry in the process, tops in the nation and a school record. He scored 16 touchdowns and had seven runs of at least 60 yards. The huge sophomore campaign has vaulted him into the Heisman Trophy discussion this season.Best added 10 pounds this offseason to improve his power and durability, but still has the lightning speed that makes him so dangerous. While Cal has depth at the position with Shane Vereen, who gained 715 yards last year as a reserve, Best makes this offense go. He will be the focal point once again and coach Jeff Tedford showcased him to the tune of 137 yards and a pair of TDs in the team’s opener. For the Bears to live up to or exceed their No. 12 preseason ranking and take a run at perennial Pac-10 power Southern Cal, Best needs to be at his best.
2. Fill the void at linebacker
Linebacker was one of Cal’s strengths last year due to the presence of seasoned players such as Worrell Williams, Zack Follett and Anthony Felder. Follett and Felder were Cal’s two leading tacklers in 2008. The departure of the talented trio should be eased by the fact that this will be year two of the team’s switch to a 3-4 defensive alignment, and the familiarity with the system should help the incoming starters. Mike Mohamed played extensively last year and should have no problem taking on an even larger role this season from his outside linebacker slot. The Bears need him to supply consistent pressure off the edge. Eddie Young and Mychal Kendricks will also be asked to step up their contributions. The defense gave up nearly 10 points per game less at home than on the road last year and the linebackers need to step up to remedy that inconsistency this season.
3. Passing game must find its groove
Without Nate Longshore looming over his shoulder, the Cal offense is Kevin Riley’s show to run this season. The redshirt junior has been extremely inconsistent during his tenure at Berkeley, but Tedford says he likes the strides Riley made in the offseason with his accuracy. Last season, Riley completed just 50.7 percent of his passes, and the Bears finished 83rd in the nation in passing yards per game at 189.8. Cal wasn’t able to develop an impact receiver last season, and doing so this year will be key. Marvin Jones, Verran Tucker and Nyan Boateng showed in Saturday’s opener that receiver could be a strength this season.
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