NCAA Football Preview - California Golden Bears

By John Agovino Aug 21, 2007, 16:35 GMT

OFFENSE: The Golden Bears return seven starters from last year, however, the most important cog in the machine, running back Marshawn Lynch, is not one of them. The loss of lynch leaves the starting job in the hands of speedy tailback Justin Forsett. At 5-8 and 185 pounds, Forsett does not have the size to be a workhorse back, but in limited action last season he did collect 626 yards and four scores in averaging 5.3 ypc. Fortunately for the first time in a few years, the Bears have a quarterback under center with some experience. Nate Longshore enters his junior year as one of the top QBs in the Pac-10. As a sophomore, Longshore threw for 3,021 yards and 24 touchdowns against just 13 interceptions. Overall, Longshore was a tad inconsistent, but this year he should be much more prepared. He comes into 2007 with a tremendous amount of talent around him, especially at the wide receiver position. All three wideouts from last season are back, including standout DeSean Jackson who reeled in 59 balls for 1,060 yards and nine scores. Along with Robert Jordan and Lavelle Hawkins, the Golden Bears have a trio of receivers that will definitely cause defensive units trouble.

DEFENSE: The Golden Bears will have to replace three standout defenders from a year ago, as Brandon Mebane, Desmond Bishop and Daymeion Hughes (Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year) are all playing at the next level. The defensive backfield is where the team will have the easiest transition, as three starters return for the 2007 season. Sophomore Robert Peele will most likely be the candidate to replace Hughes, but that will certainly be a tough task for the young corner. Where the team will have the most trouble is up front as the Bears return just one starter. Mika Kane will most likely replace Mebane, but the bigger issue is at the defensive end position where the team has very little experience. Surprisingly enough, losing Bishop does not devastate the linebacking corps. Sure the loss is crucial, but with the return of Worrell Williams and experienced guys like Anthony Felder and Zack Follett (62 tackles, 12.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks), the Bears should be in fine shape.

SPECIAL TEAMS: With DeSean Jackson returning kicks for Cal this season, the special teams unit is instantly one of the best in the nation. Jackson could be one of the best punt returners of all-time as the wideout has scored five touchdowns in 26 attempts. The kicking game is also solid, starting with placekicker Tom Schneider. Last year, the senior connected on all of his PAT attempts and was 13-of-15 inside 50 yards. As for the punting job, Andrew Larson averaged a whopping 42.6 yards per kick in '06, earning Second Team All- Pac-10 honors.

OUTLOOK: The Golden Bears have a couple of tough road games against Oregon and UCLA, but the two biggest games of the year might be their season opener at home against Tennessee and their November 10th matchup at Memorial Stadium against USC. Defensively the team will have to make some adjustments, but should be able to pull together by mid-season. On the other side of the ball expect for Longshore to improve, thanks in part to Jackson and the Bears' solid receiving corps. As for the ground game, Forsett could be one of the big surprises in the Pac-10 this year. Overall, Cal has a solid group of players at both ends of the field, but the team does not have enough to overtake USC at the top of the conference.

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