Tomorrow: Louisiana Tech

There’s not much talk about tomorrow’s match up with Louisiana Tech, with Cal favored by more than 33 points over the Bulldogs. If the Bears correct the mistakes of last week’s game, it’s possible that they’ll cover the spread with ease. However, if inconsistencies linger this could be more dangerous than a typical home tune-up game, as LA Tech pushed #20 Hawaii to overtime last Saturday.

The Sports Network: “Bulldogs and Bears battle in Berkeley”

Cal and LaTech have met just one time previously on the gridiron, with the Bulldogs posting a 41-34 victory in Shreveport in 1997. …

Louisiana Tech … gave nationally-ranked Hawaii all that it could handle last weekend, but in the end, the Bulldogs were on the short-end of a 45-44 overtime decision. … In a wild affair, LaTech rolled up 410 yards of total offense against Hawaii last weekend, but … gave up 386 total yards in its opener to UCA, [and] was burnt for 548 yards through the air last weekend. The defense, however, did come up with three big turnovers, giving them nine takeaways this season. Getting to opposing quarterbacks has also been a strength of this unit, which has eight sacks to its credit. …

Cal is clearly the more dangerous team here and it should have no trouble lighting up the scoreboard in front of its home fans and against a much less talented LaTech club. … Predicted Outcome: California 45, Louisiana Tech 16

The News Star (Monroe, LA): “TECH QUICK SLANTS: California”

After facing No. 20 Hawaii last week at home in a Western Athletic Conference season, the Bulldogs open their road slate with a game at No. 8 Cal. And for the second straight week, the Bulldogs will be facing a Heisman Trophy Candidate in Cal wide receiver/return specialist DeSean Jackson.

Jackson has carried the ball three times for 99 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown, caught nine passes for 84 yards with a long of 25 yards and returned three punts for 77 yards, including a 77-yard score.

Tech coach Derek Dooley was an assistant at LSU when he tried to recruit Jackson to go there and said he established a solid relationship with the young standout. “I think the world of DeSean,” … Dooley said he knew immediately that Jackson was a special player. … “Every now and then you get to recruit someone that you just love going to see. DeSean will be a success in whatever he chooses to do after football because he is such a dynamic, likeable guy. … DeSean has a special elusiveness that very few athletes have,” Dooley said.

ESPN: “Cal looks for complete game vs. Louisiana Tech”

After surviving a scare in its most recent victory, California likely won’t take its next nonconference opponent for granted.

The eighth-ranked Golden Bears (2-0) look to win their ninth straight game at Memorial Stadium when they host Louisiana Tech on Saturday. …

“It’s a great lesson for us that the game’s never over,” Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. “We put some backup guys in that let some (receivers) get behind them. It’s just a lesson that you have to practice hard every day to be prepared because you never know when your opportunity’s going to come.”

It’s likely Tedford won’t make the same mistake again Saturday if his team opens a big lead against Louisiana Tech (1-1) …

The Daily Cal: “Receivers, Dooley Together Again”

“The first thing I noticed about Cal is what a physical team they are,” Dooley said. “They do a great job running the football.”

The Bears needed all of the yards they could get on the ground, in a 34-28 nail-biter that wideout Lavelle Hawkins said could serve as a wake-up call for the much-hyped Cal team.

“Teams are going to have bad games. I’m glad it happened early instead of late,” Hawkins said. “We don’t want to be on ESPN all week long about a loss like (Michigan’s). That’s all we were thinking about during (Saturday’s) game. Oh my god this is not going to happen to us.”

Louisiana Tech is no stranger to big games. … Indeed, their nonconference slate may be the most difficult in the nation. “You really have to take it one game at a time, otherwise it would be exhausting,” Dooley said. “The challenge this week is about as big a challenge as going anywhere in the country.”

Excuse Me For My Voice (fellow Cal blog): “Louisiana Tech preview”

Overall, I think the LT offense is potent enough to ensure the final score doesn’t look like a huge blowout unless the Cal offense puts up ridiculously big numbers. While I think this game will be an easy one for Cal, it’ll also look closer on the scoreboard than it should, particularly because of Tedford’s conservative play calling in low-risk games. Expect to see a game similar to Colorado State, minus the end of game secondary breakdowns and the slow start. Also expect to see Tedford take his foot off the accelerator in the mid-3rd quarter once the game is locked up. Cal 35, LT 17