Today, Arizona State

The last time Cal faced ASU (2004), they blanked the #20 Sun Devils 27-0 (Blaire Baily, Daily Cal)

If you made it through all the articles I gave you to read in the last few days… there’s more. Let’s hope this game lives up to the expectations and Cal comes out on top.

Cal’s defense will be focusing on ASU’s quarterback, Rudy Carpenter. With high-energy Mickey Pimentel now in the starting lineup for linebacker, the pass rush should get a boost.

Andrew Cameron, the starting left tackle on the offensive line who injured his ankle during the Minnesota game, still may not be available for today’s matchup. Coach Jeff Tedford says that it “will be a game-time decision.” Scott Smith is still out with his MCL injury.
The SF Chronicle has an article evaluating the high octane offenses of both teams, and predicting a game dominated by the offense on both sides.

Athlon Sports has a game preview supporting ASU’s chances to win, and favors them by 10 points. To me, they make some pretty weak points.

SI has an amusing “smackdown” article pitting student writers from ASU and Cal and dregging up the usual stereotypes. They also have a Road Trip: Cal feature describing the best spots in Berkeley.

Finally, the Daily Cal describes how the season begins today for both ASU and Cal.

“I don’t know how to explain it. There’s something about Pac-10 play,” Tedford said. “I don’t want to say, ‘Now it’s for real,’ because it was always for real, but there’s just something a little bit different about conference play.”

See you at the game.

Cal Football Fan prediction: 41-27, Cal.

Personnel, prediction, and more on the ASU matchup

Defensive coordinator Bob Gregory said that Mickey Pimentel will be starting Saturday over Justin Moye at linebacker (who will also get snaps). Pimentel looked good against Portland State and recorded a sack with Brandon Mebane.

The Contra Costa Times also has a nice article about linebacker Worrell Williams. The combination of Pimentel, Williams, and Desmond Bishop is a mean one, and they should live up to the preseason hype against ASU.

Also, Marcus O’Keith got a well-deserved feature article in the Daily Cal today. O’Keith has definitely taken advantage of the limited opportunities he’s had on the field. He’s been named the starter at kickoff returns (instead of Marshawn Lynch) for ASU, as well.

Finally, here are some more quotes (in addition to the last post) on the Cal/ASU matchup on Saturday.

Contra Costa Times’ Jay Heater:

Pressure would seem to be a crucial aspect of this game. ASU 18 sacks, Cal 5 sacks. However, Cal faced a running team in Minnesota and the Portland State game was a blowout and can be discounted. Even so, it will be interesting to see if the Bears can put the screws to ASU sophomore QB Rudy Carpenter.

ESPN’s Bruce Feldman:

This one figures to be one of those traditional Pac-10 offensive shows. There is a very intriguing matchup here between the improved Sun Devils’ run defense (third in the Pac-10, allowing 2.6 yards per carry) and the great Marshawn Lynch. I’m not very sold on the ASU D and I still expect Lynch to run wild. Plus I like the home field edge.

Thing that has me sold: Marshawn Lynch.

Scouts Inc.’s ASU-Cal Edge:

Expect a close game but Arizona State will come up just short on the road. The Sun Devils will keep the game close thanks to their offensive balance. However, Cal’s run defense is strong enough to put Carpenter in more third-and-long situations than Koetter would like to see. That pressure will cause Carpenter to make some uncharacteristically poor decisions and/or errant throws that end drives.

The Sun Devils will have some success getting to Longshore as well, but their corners will have a hard time matching up with Cal’s deep corps of receivers. Cal will have consistent success moving the ball on the ground and don’t be surprised to see their backs break some long runs. In addition, the Bears have the home run threats in the return game to win the battle of field position.

ESPN’s Craig James:

Q: Does Tedford and the boys have any shot against a high powered Arizona State offense this weekend?
A: I think they do…and that they will beat ASU. The Cal debacle at Tenn earlier was just a snowball they couldn’t stop. This weekend we should see the real Cal team

Also interesting to note:

In the last 28 Pac-10 games, only USC (27-1) has a better record than Cal (21-7) and ASU (20-8). … ASU leads the series against Cal 13-12, but the Bears have won four of the past five.

Cal hosts tough Arizona State in conference opener

Cal’s conference schedule begins on Saturday with #22-ranked Arizona State (3-0) at home, a real test to determine whether the Bears have learned lessons and made adjustments since Tennessee. With this game, we will see if Cal is a contender for the Pac-10 title and a Rose Bowl berth.

The game is getting a good look from many analysts and pundits who see this as a statement game for both teams. Arizona State is a tough team with a powerful west-coast offense and a greatly improved defense. Here are some interesting articles and points of view.

ESPN, “California tries to extend winning streak vs. Arizona State”:

The 21st-ranked Golden Bears look to extend their winning streak over the 22nd-ranked Sun Devils to four games when they meet in the Pac-10 Conference opener for both teams.

California, which has won four of the series’ last five games, last met Arizona State two years ago, when it posted a 27-0 victory here. The Sun Devils have not defeated the Bears since a 30-10 triumph in Tempe in 2000.

ESPN, Top 25 Overview:

Since taking over the Arizona State program in 2001, Dirk Koetter is 0-10 in Pac-10 games played in the state of California (USC, UCLA, Cal and Stanford). Too late for the Sun Devils to make this a neutral-site game?

The Sports Network, “(22) Arizona State (3-0) at (21) California (2-1)”:

This game has the feel of a Pac-10 shootout. The top two passing teams in the conference will go toe-to-toe in what should be an entertaining offensive game throughout. The slight edge has to go to the Bears, who get this game at home and could grind things out a bit with Lynch on the ground.

Arizona Republic, “Tedford merits credit for rapid revival”:

Talk all you want about the Golden Bears’ skills players and explosive offense. Arizona State’s biggest hurdle when it visits Berkeley Saturday is coach Jeff Tedford, who spurred one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent college football history.

This is a mano-a-mano worthy of attention, as offensive gurus Tedford and Dirk Koetter aim to make the top of the Pac-10 Conference a USC-free zone.

RealFootball365, “The REAL Top 25 Weekly Review”:

So how prepared is ASU for a conference-opening day road game in Berkeley vs. No. 21 Cal? The Sun Devils have a win over Double-A Northern Arizona, one over the WAC’s Nevada Wolfpack, and now this road win over a hapless Colorado team. Meanwhile, Cal has the experience of a road ambush at Tennessee, a solid win over a fairly good Minnesota team, and last weekend’s pasting of a solid Double-A Portland State. This week’s game with Cal will be one of the most intriguing Pac-10 matchups in the young season.

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit:

The game I am most eager to see is the Pac-10 game between Arizona State and Cal. The Sun Devils’ defense has been pretty dominant, but they have yet to get on track offensively after their quarterback controversy between Rudy Carpenter and Sam Keller. Plus, ASU has yet to play a team the caliber of Cal.

Nate Longshore has established himself at quarterback after a rough start at Tennessee, and running back Marshawn Lynch should be back at 100 percent. Neither team can afford a loss if it wants to try to measure up with USC in the Pac-10 race.

ESPN’s Beano Cook:

Q: What’s your take on Cal v. Arizona State?
A: Well, when the season began, I said this, the Bears haven’t been to the Rose Bowl since the 1958 season. They haven’t won a Rose Bowl since the 1938 Rose Bowl. Everyone tells me that California will be good this year, but the Bears have to show it before I believe it. Cal should win this game, they’re playing at home. If they can’t win at home, then it will be a long season.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach:

Q: Do you see a Sun Devil victory over Cal?
A: It’s going to be a very interesting game. Would give the edge to the Sun Devils because of Rudy Carpenter, but Cal has rebounded pretty well from the bad loss at UT. Sun Devils better tackle better, however.

And finally, from Coach Jeff Tedford himself:

“Our guys are excited about getting into Pac 10 play. We like to be at home and are fortunate to play our last two games at home and to open up home against Arizona State because it is a very hard place to play at. We also understand that Arizona State is a great football team, very highly ranked and very explosive on offense and very solid on defense and one of the better teams in our conference.”

AP poll recalculated, Cal #21 again

A balloting error has been fixed, modifying the rankings in the AP poll slightly. Among the changes are Cal at #21 instead of #22, leaving them at the same spot they were at last week and Arizona State one spot behind them.

Thus, in the end Cal did not drop in the rankings this week; it retained the #21 spot in the AP poll and moved up one spot to #20 in the Coaches poll.

O-line takes another hit: RT Smith out 3 weeks

The injury-plagued offensive line took another hit during Saturday’s game, as right tackle Scott Smith sprained a ligament (MCL) in his knee. Smith’s injury does not require surgery but he will not be available to play in the next three games.

Depending on the return of left tackle Andrew Cameron, either Mike Tepper (who filled in for Cameron but has practiced at both RT and LT) or Mike Gibson (who filled in for Smith following his injury on Saturday) will play in Smith’s absence.

Cal defeats Portland State, drops in AP poll

The Bears defeated Portland State 42-16 Saturday. The game was over by the first half, and Coach Jeff Tedford subsequently removed most starters. This allowed almost every backup player to get off the bench in the last two quarters and gain valuable gametime experience.

Despite the solid win, the AP dropped Cal to #22. However, the Coaches poll has Cal up one spot at #20. ESPN’s Lee Corso also mentioned he maintains that Cal could be the team that beats USC on College Gameday.

Next week, we face Arizona State at home (#20 in AP, #18 in Coaches) so a win should finally have us make a significant move upward in the polls.

Today, Portland State at home

The Bears are taking on Division I-AA Portland State this afternoon. However, the Vikings are not your usual I-AA creampuff. They’re 2-0 and already coming off a win over I-A New Mexico. They also have a powerful defensive line, and Mike Tepper may be starting in place of injured Andrew Cameron (ankle). This will not be a gimme at first, but in the end Cal should prevail handily.

Some articles to read before the game:

• ESPN: California ends non-conference slate vs. I-AA Portland St
• Contra Costa Times: Bears want no surprises
• Daily Cal: Bears putting on blinders for Portland State
• Daily Cal: Vikings aren’t your average I-AA pushover

I also hear that Vikings fans have painted the big C green and white (Portland State colors). Pretty gutsy.

Cal Football Fan prediction: 52-10, Cal.

QB Longshore is Pac-10 Player of the Week

QB Nate Longshore has been named Pac-10 player of the week for his impressive performance in Saturday’s game.

Longshore, a sophomore from Canyon Country, Calif., directed California to a 42-17 win against Minnesota. Longshore completed 22 of 31 passes (.710) for an even 300 yards and four touchdowns covering 24, 2, 48 and 11 yards, with no interceptions. The passing yardage and touchdown passes were both career highs for Longshore. The California offense piled up 31 first downs and 531 yards total offense against Minnesota.

Daymeion Hughes was also nominated for the award.

Cal improves to #21 in AP/Coaches polls

With Saturday’s win over Minnesota, Cal has improved 1 spot in the AP poll and 2 spots in the Coaches poll to end up at #21 in both.

Something to note: TCU, ranked lower than Cal last week, leapfrogged Cal to #20 with a win over Division I-AA UC Davis. So, pollsters have again rewarded a team for a win in a creampuff out-of-conference game, and give little respect to Cal burying a legitimate Big 10 team. This just shows that the Bears still have to prove themselves each game to claw its way back into the top 10.

Bears redeemed in decisive victory over Minnesota

I predicted 41-28, but Cal exceeded expectations and soundly defeated the Gophers 42-17 last night.

The defense was notably improved. Redshirt freshman Syd’Quan Thompson found redemption with great coverage and several tackles, including one for a loss. Daymeion Hughes made two interceptions. Brandon Mebane and the defensive line did well facing Minnesota’s powerful offensive line and running attack. Mebane and Mickey Pimentel each had sacks, an impressive feat considering that Minnesota only allowed 3 sacks total last season and has gone 8 consecutive games without giving one up. Most of all, the defense made sound tackles.

On the offensive side of the ball, Nate Longshore lived up to his potential and emerged as the definite starting quarterback of the team. Completing 22 of 31 passes with 4 touchdowns and 300 yards, Longshore was able to lead the offense and execute sharply. The offense included both pro-set and spread plays, a hybrid that seemed effective to confuse Minnesota’s defense. The running game was powerful and effective as well, and the Marshawn Lynch / Justin Forsett duo pounded the Gophers into submission. The receivers also looked very good. Lavelle Hawkins gained serious yards (125) while DeSean Jackson was Longshore’s favorite for the endzone with 3 TD catches and 100+ yards also.

Special teams coverage needs some work, as they gave up a 99 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Both Andrew Larson on punts and Tom Schneider on kickoffs looked good.

There were a few stupid personal foul penalties that should have been avoided. Hopefully this is addressed by Coach Jeff Tedford.

The stadium was especially loud on Minnesota’s third down plays, causing at least two false starts.

Overall, the game was a great bounce back to winning form from last week. The Bears looked like what they should’ve one week earlier. They were confident, poised, and they executed brilliantly.