2009 Previews: California

By Tim Cottrell
Sports Writer/Designer
Published: June 28, 2009

We go to that epicenter of godless liberalism and secular humanism, Cal, for Preview No. 12. Previews of all 65 BCS conference schools, plus Notre Dame and state schools, in no particular order, will run daily through Aug. 22.

Cal was a quarterback away from being really super good last season.

Jahvid Best averaged 8.1 yards per carry - THAT’S EIGHT POINT ONE YARDS PER CARRY - in rushing for nearly 1,600 yards despite being hurt virtually everywhere most of the season.

The line blocked well, the receivers were a bit underproductive but that probably spoke more to Nate Longshore and Kevin Riley not being very good.

This year, Longshore is gone, so the job is Riley’s. Perhaps not having to look over his shoulder will be good for him.

Defensively, the Bears ranked in the top 40 in all four major categories, and were 26th in total defense. That unit should be even better with eight starters back, though they must replace three of their four linebackers.

Regardless of how good this team is or isn’t, we’ll know fast. There are really four sticking points on the schedule, and they’re all in the first five weeks of the season.

Here’s the schedule:

Sept. 5: Maryland
The Golden Bears got ambushed in a big way in College Park last season. Look for them to return the favor this time around, though this game is certainly still dangerous.

Sept. 12: Eastern Washington
Those four sticking points? This isn’t one of them.

Sept. 19: at Minnesota
There’s really nothing to worry about here except one thing: Cal doesn’t have a good history of going cross-country.

Sept. 26: at Oregon
The Ducks will probably be just a tinge down this year, but it is very, very hard to win in Eugene.

Oct. 3: USC
USC will also be not quite up to its juggernaut standards, but I’m not ready to call for a loss here. Though it may very well happen. And if Cal does somehow win this game and is undefeated, look out. Because it’s all downhill from here, schedule-wise.

Oct. 17: at UCLA
The Bruins will be better in Year 2 of the Neuheisel Era, and an upset is possible here considering there will be either two weeks of everyone telling them how great they are or two weeks of moping because they just lost to USC, again.

Oct. 24: Washington State
The Cougs are no match for anyone resembling a major college football team.

Oct. 31: at Arizona State
Dangerous.

Nov. 7: Oregon State
Biggest non-USC conference game of the year, probably.

Nov. 14: Arizona
They got ambushed in the desert last year, too. Probably won’t happen at home.

Nov. 21: at Stanford
The Fightin’ Harbaughs are pretty close to being good. Not quite good enough yet. At least I don’t think.

Dec. 5: at Washington
The Fightin’ Sarkisians are still a long way away.

There is absolutely no reason this team should win less than 9 games, none. A 10, 11 or even 12 win season is possible. Most likely would be 10 with a loss to USC and either Oregon or Oregon State.