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.

Today, Minnesota at home

Cal’s home opener is today at 4pm against Minnesota Gophers. Minnesota is coming off a 44-0 blowout win over Kent State (a 1-10 team last season). The Gophers are not a bad team, and they’re known for a smashmouth running attack. However, their defense is vulnerable and Cal should have a good chance to run up points.

Notable statistics: Minnesota has won its last 17 games against nonconference opponents in the regular season (since 2001). Despite this, it’s good to know that Minnesota has avoided playing ranked opponents outside their conference since 1991.

Here are some articles to read before the game:

• AP: Cal plays for redemption against Minnesota
• Scout.com: Preview: Cal vs Minnesota
• Rivals: Cal ready to begin fighting overrated label
• Minneapolis Star Tribune: Gophers, Bears have plenty to prove
• SF Chronicle: Cal seeks to avoid falling into Gopher hole

Cal Football Fan prediction: 41-28, Cal.

Feldman: Cal #10 in Most Offensive Firepower

ESPN’s Bruce Feldman, despite his scathing article ripping Cal after the loss in Tennessee, has named Cal #10 in his list of Teams with the Most Offensive Firepower. His list is ranked “strictly on skill talent/weaponry”, and he writes:

10. Cal, 22: Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett merit a 10 at running back. DeSean Jackson leads a dynamic bunch of receivers, although the group struggled big-time in Knoxville. Problem is, the QB picture here is so cloudy.

His formula gives points to the QB, RB, and WR positions only.

DE Mbakogu may be lost for the season

Defensive end Philip Mbakogu, considered to be Cal’s best pass rusher, may be lost for the season. He underwent surgery  on his left knee to address some cartilage problems after his last season finished with great success. Unfortunately, Coach Jeff Tedford said, “His knee’s not responding.” This is a huge loss to the pash rush, which was shown last Saturday to need some help.

Also, tight end Craig Stevens may play against Minnesota after suffering a concussion during the opening kickoff against Tennessee.

Longshore starting again against Minnesota

Coach Jeff Tedford has announced that Nate Longshore will start against Minnesota this Saturday with Joe Ayoob also getting some playing time, despite the “nightmare” opener at Tennessee.Tedford called the opener “about as bad as I could imagine it going” and also stated he “won’t abandon the elements of the spread offense that were incorporated into this season’s game plan by new offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar”, as “there was very little spread stuff that was used”. Let’s hope for some improvement in execution and a win next week.

Cal now ranked #22/23 in AP/Coaches polls

Despite Saturday’s disappointing loss, Cal is now ranked #22 in the Associated Press poll, and #23 in the USA Today Coaches poll from #9 and #12, respectively. This drop is drastic, but remaining in the top 25 gives Cal hope to improve in ranking with each win.

As an aside, Tennessee improved from #23 in both polls to #11 in AP and #17 in the Coaches poll. The two teams more or less switched spots in the polls.

Here’s a fairly interesting article about Cal’s rank in the polls expressing some skepticism about the big drop.

Personnel notes

At Tennessee, starting tight end Craig Stevens was lost in the opening kickoff for the rest of the game. He suffered a concussion and his status for the Minnesota game on Saturday is not known.

Marshawn Lynch was slightly banged up in a kickoff return as well and he seemed bothered by it on the sidelines during the game despite playing on it. He now has a “sore ankle” but Coach Jeff Tedford says he “will be OK”.

The quarterback competition for starter re-opens during practice this week between Nate Longshore and Joe Ayoob. Tedford says that backup quarterback Steve Levy, who was suspended for the season opener, is not in the competition and is “definitely” number 3 on the depth chart.