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California Bears – Pac 10 Preview

by Alexander Banks on Friday, August 24th, 2007

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 relistic possibility for a team 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 th 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.

Californoa 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

SportsBetting.com has posted college football betting odds to win the 2008 BCS:

Alabama
100 – 1

Arizona
300 – 1

Arizona St
50 – 1

Arkansas
60 – 1

Auburn
100 – 1

BYU
300 – 1

Boise St
100 – 1

Boston College
200 – 1

California
40 – 1

Clemson
100 – 1

Colorado
200 – 1

Florida
8 – 1

Florida St
30 – 1

Georgia
35 – 1

Georgia Tech
75 – 1

Hawaii
300 – 1

Iowa
100 – 1

Kansas St
300 – 1

LSU
6 – 1

Louisville
20 – 1

Maryland
300 – 1

Miami FL
30 – 1

Michigan
8 – 1

Missouri
25 – 1

Nebraska
40 – 1

North Carolina St
300 – 1

Notre Dame
60 – 1

Ohio St
30 – 1

Oklahoma
12 – 1

Oklahoma St
50 – 1

Oregon
50 – 1

Oregon St
300 – 1

Penn St
40 – 1

Pittsburgh
300 – 1

Purdue
300 – 1

Rutgers
75 – 1

South Carolina
75 – 1

South Florida
100 – 1

TCU
100 – 1

Tennessee
45 – 1

Texas
10 – 1

Texas A&M
60 – 1

Texas Tech
300 – 1

UCLA
35 – 1

USC
5 – 2

Virginia Tech
30 – 1

Wake Forest
300 – 1

West Virginia
8 – 1

Wisconsin
30 – 1

Field (Any Other Team)
100 – 1

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