Round #7: California Bears
2010 Record: 3-2 (1-1 in Pac-10)
2009 Record: 8-5 (5-4 in Pac-10)
Series History: USC leads 62-30-5 (Last meeting: 30-3 USC in '09)
Head Coach: Jeff Tedford (9th season)
Tedford's momentum has leveled off since he put Berkeley football on the map with his triple overtime upset of unbeaten USC in 2003. However, he is just four wins shy of the all-time victories mark and he's finally convinced the powers-that-be to build the program a new stadium. Schematically, he used to be known as a quarterback guru, but the Bears have turned into RB U recently, while struggling at QB.
Players to Watch: RB Shane Vereen (Junior, Valencia, CA) and LB Mike Mohamed (Senior, Brawley, CA)
Vereen follows the line of succession after Jahvid Best, Justin Forsett, Marshawn Lynch and J.J. Arrington. He is tied for the conference lead in scoring with 10 TDs, only Arizona has kept him out of the end zone. Plus, he is a versatile threat. He has recorded a catch in 31 consecutive games, an FBS record for active running backs.
Mohamed's value was best illustrated when he sat out the first game of his NCAA career to snap a 41 consecutive games streak against Nevada. The Wolfpack hung 52 on the Bears D without their leader. With Mohamed on the field, Cal has not given up double digit points in a game this season.
Strength: Run and Play Defense
While it sounds like a Big Ten gameplan, the Bears should be 4-1 and undefeated in conference with their grinding style. Kevin Riley has developed into a solid quarterback, but he cannot win games by himself like Andrew Luck and Jake Locker did the last two weeks. Vereen will be the centerpiece of their offense and WR Marvin Jones makes the big catches on 3rd down.
Defensively, they rank 7th in the nation, which is amazing considering they were gouged so badly by Nevada. They are 6th nationally against the pass, so Matt Barkley will get his toughest test to date. Nick Foles and Arizona are known as a pretty potent passing attack, but the Bears held them to 212 yards through the air and 10 points.
Weakness: Offensive Explosiveness
If the Trojans get ahead early, Cal does not have a reliable plan B. In conference play this season, QB Kevin Riley has topped out at 116 yards passing against Arizona. He managed just 83 against UCLA. In those two games, the longest pass completion was 31 yards and his accuracy dipped well below his 60% mark for the season.
Cal Verdict
The Bears' defense will provide a stiff test for Lane Kiffin's streaking offense. However, Cal's ground and pound offense could give USC's defense the relief that they are desperately seeking. The teams seem evenly matched, which will make for a fun strength vs. strength, weakness vs. weakness battle.
If it comes down to a game-winning kick, Giorgio Tavecchio cost the Bears an upset win in Tuscon.
One of my favorite Cal/USC moments, Kevin Ellison quieted the ever chatty Desean Jackson...
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2010 Record: 3-2 (1-1 in Pac-10)
2009 Record: 8-5 (5-4 in Pac-10)
Series History: USC leads 62-30-5 (Last meeting: 30-3 USC in '09)
Head Coach: Jeff Tedford (9th season)
Tedford's momentum has leveled off since he put Berkeley football on the map with his triple overtime upset of unbeaten USC in 2003. However, he is just four wins shy of the all-time victories mark and he's finally convinced the powers-that-be to build the program a new stadium. Schematically, he used to be known as a quarterback guru, but the Bears have turned into RB U recently, while struggling at QB.
Players to Watch: RB Shane Vereen (Junior, Valencia, CA) and LB Mike Mohamed (Senior, Brawley, CA)
Vereen follows the line of succession after Jahvid Best, Justin Forsett, Marshawn Lynch and J.J. Arrington. He is tied for the conference lead in scoring with 10 TDs, only Arizona has kept him out of the end zone. Plus, he is a versatile threat. He has recorded a catch in 31 consecutive games, an FBS record for active running backs.
Mohamed's value was best illustrated when he sat out the first game of his NCAA career to snap a 41 consecutive games streak against Nevada. The Wolfpack hung 52 on the Bears D without their leader. With Mohamed on the field, Cal has not given up double digit points in a game this season.
Strength: Run and Play Defense
While it sounds like a Big Ten gameplan, the Bears should be 4-1 and undefeated in conference with their grinding style. Kevin Riley has developed into a solid quarterback, but he cannot win games by himself like Andrew Luck and Jake Locker did the last two weeks. Vereen will be the centerpiece of their offense and WR Marvin Jones makes the big catches on 3rd down.
Defensively, they rank 7th in the nation, which is amazing considering they were gouged so badly by Nevada. They are 6th nationally against the pass, so Matt Barkley will get his toughest test to date. Nick Foles and Arizona are known as a pretty potent passing attack, but the Bears held them to 212 yards through the air and 10 points.
Weakness: Offensive Explosiveness
If the Trojans get ahead early, Cal does not have a reliable plan B. In conference play this season, QB Kevin Riley has topped out at 116 yards passing against Arizona. He managed just 83 against UCLA. In those two games, the longest pass completion was 31 yards and his accuracy dipped well below his 60% mark for the season.
Cal Verdict
The Bears' defense will provide a stiff test for Lane Kiffin's streaking offense. However, Cal's ground and pound offense could give USC's defense the relief that they are desperately seeking. The teams seem evenly matched, which will make for a fun strength vs. strength, weakness vs. weakness battle.
If it comes down to a game-winning kick, Giorgio Tavecchio cost the Bears an upset win in Tuscon.
One of my favorite Cal/USC moments, Kevin Ellison quieted the ever chatty Desean Jackson...
Tweet
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