California

The University of California at Berkley is one of the nation’s preeminent universities.  With an enrollment of 33,558, the school founded in 1868 has emerged as a serious contender to USC’s dominance of the PAC-10.  The blue and gold clad Bears are coming off a 10-3 season and a resounding 35 point victory in the Holiday Bowl over Texas A&M.  Last season’s final poll’s 14^th ranked team starts the season against a tough Tennessee team that dashed Cal’s hopes for a potential BCS bowl berth in last year’s opener.

The California Golden Bears return seven offensive and five defensive starters this season from last year’s solid squad.  Leading the offense is junior quarterback Nate Longshore who seeks to improve his consistency following an up and down 2006, helping him in this goal is a bevy of big fast receivers who provide the deep threat to complement Longshore’s strong arm.  The loss of running back Marshawn Lynch to the NFL leaves big shoes to fill for senior running back Justin Forsett, but the Bears’ rushing attack is in good hands with Forsett who averaged 5.3 yards per carry while relieving Lynch last season.  The defensive unit will be stronger this season despite losing important linebackers and defensive backs.  Overall, Cal is getting ever closer to contending for the conference championship and a BCS berth.

California head coach Jeff Tedford is entering his sixth year at the helm for the Bears.  With a career record of 43-20, all at Cal, Tedford is working the team toward his goal of an appearance in a BCS bowl.  With the departure of offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar, Tedford will return to calling plays this season for the Bears and will utilize the formidable weapons he has on his team.  Tedford’s excellence in recruiting means that the Bears are stacked for much of the foreseeable future.  Since his first season, following a dismal one win campaign for the Bears, the rebuilding of the program has progressed to the point that they are a legitimate threat to USC’s dominance. 

The loss of running back Marshawn Lynch to the NFL draft leaves a huge gaping hole at the heart of the Bears attack.  Lynch’s 1,684 all purpose yards and 15 touchdowns will have to be dispersed throughout the other offensive players.  Fortunately, Cal answers with Justin Forsett in the backfield.  Short at 5’8”, but difficult to tackle and with a strong lower body, Forsett looks to have a breakout season as the featured back in the Bears’ offense.  The emergence of receiver and punt return threat DeSean Jackson will give the willies to any defensive coordinator tasked with trying to stop him.  The burner was last year’s top-ranked punt returner and ran back four kicks for scores.  With the focus sure to be on the air attack this season; look for Jackson to gain national notoriety as a preeminent receiver.