Despite win, Cal drops in AP poll; first BCS poll ranks Cal #10

Despite yesterday’s 21-3 win over WSU, Week 8’s polls have Cal gaining votes, but moving down a spot in the AP and staying the same in the Coaches poll. Cal dropped to #11 in the AP this week, as Auburn jumped back up to #8 after their win over Florida. Cal also dropped from #9 to #11 this week in the ESPNU rankings, while FoxSports has ranked Cal #6, one ahead of USC.

Despite dropping in the AP, in the first release of the BCS rankings, Cal is ranked #10, slightly edging out Tennessee. With the AP pulling their poll out of the BCS last year, the new BCS rankings are now based off the Coaches Poll and Harris poll, both of which have Cal ranked at #11, and the computer rankings, which also factor in strength of schedule. With USC ranked at #2, Tennessee at #11, and Oregon at #14, Cal’s computer ranking this week was ranked at 0.760 out of a maximum 1.000, making it #6 in the computer rankings behind USC, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida, and Auburn.

Bears’ defense stands firm in 21-3 victory over WSU

In their first win in Pullman stadium since 1979, the Bears’ defense shined on an uncharacteristically low-scoring offensive day. Despite three trips into Cal’s red zone, WSU was limited to scoring only one field goal. Marshawn Lynch also played well, rushing for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns on 25 carries. Special Teams also came up big, blocking a first quarter punt that set up one of Lynch’s touchdowns.

Some Recap Articles:

• AP/ESPN: “Lynch, Cal breaks Martin Stadium curse”
• Contra Costa Times: “Sack leader can’t get past Cal line”
• Daily Cal: “Defense Takes Over to Ensure Victory for Cal”
• Los Angeles Times: “California Puts and End to Streak”
• San Francisco Chronicle: “Cal bumbles, fumbles — but wins”
• Scout.com: “Cal vs. WSU: Offense Struggles, Defense Excels”

During College Gameday Recap, Analyst Desmond Howard‘s Top 5 picks included Cal at #4, just ahead of USC:

To me, Cal is the most impressive 1-loss team in the country, and they’re playing great football.

Lynch to play Saturday at WSU

After sitting out most of the Oregon game last weekend due to injury, Marshawn Lynch is expected to be back in action this coming Saturday when the Bears travel to Washington State. Throughout the season, Lynch has been bothered by an ankle injury but has played through it. He re-injured it early in the second quarter following a 24-yard rush to the Oregon 2 yard line:

“He reirritated it during the game,” Tedford said Tuesday. “But he’s moving around fine. He’s just a little bit sore. I wouldn’t say he’s questionable. I would say he’ll play for sure.”

Nate Longshore now in Heisman Watch

With his injury this past weekend, it appears that Marshawn Lynch has been dropped from the public Heisman voting. However, due to outstanding performances the past five weeks and the blowout of #11 Oregon, Nate Longshore has found his way into the spotlight. He has been added into this week’s final slot for Heisman voting, so go here to cast your vote.

Cal moves up in national rankings

Week 6 Rankings have been released, and Cal has moved up in both polls. In the AP, Cal has passed Florida State, TCU, Iowa, and Virginia Tech to move up from 20th to 16th. The USA Today poll has Cal moving from 20th up to 17th, passing TCU, Iowa, and Virginia Tech. Despite moving up in rank and gaining a considerable amount of votes, Cal has yet to recover a significant amount of votes, as the only one of those 4 teams to have won yesterday was Florida State. With Oregon moving up to #11 in both polls this week, next weekend’s matchup in Memorial Stadium should be quite a showdown, and could be a great opportunity for Cal to regain some national attention and improve their ranking.

Vote for Tedford for the National Coach of the Year Award

Cal fans, head over to www.coachoftheyear.com and cast a vote for Jeff Tedford. The winning coach, besides gaining national recognition in a televised award presentation in December, will also select a charity to receive a $100,000 donation and earn their school $20,000 for their own scholarship fund. Fans can vote every day through the end of the first phase of voting, which ends November 5th.

Vote for Cal’s Pontiac Game Changing Performance

DeSean Jackson‘s second-quarter, 80-yard punt return for a touchdown is one of four plays nominated for Week 4’s Pontiac Game Changing Performance. The University to win this award will receive a $5,000 contribution to their general scholarship fund and place them in the running for the $100,000 Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year. Voting began Sunday, and will end on Wednesday night. Go here to vote. As extra incentive to vote, Pontiac is also giving away a $5,000 scholarship each week to one lucky visitor to the site, so hurry up, and go support our Bears. While you’re at it, also don’t forget to drop by here once a week to vote for Marshawn Lynch for the Heisman.