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.

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.

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.

Cal at Tennessee is a Saturday storyline

Marshawn Lynch is on the home page of ESPN.com in a nice banner that also includes stars like QB Brady Quinn (Notre Dame), QB Drew Weatherford (Florida State), and WR Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State).

ESPN.com‘s Chris Fowler also has a lot to say about Saturday’s matchup:

But let’s see what happens Saturday. Cal is a trendy pick to win the Pac-10 (and that cutting edge Lee Corso has the Bears winning the national title!). But can the Bears get out of Rocky Top intact? They are slight underdogs against a Tennessee team coming off a dismal 5-6 year. Why? Home field, of course. But is the power of Rocky Top being hugely overrated?

About home field advantage:

… The fact is, home field often is vastly overrated. When a huge, hostile crowd is cheering on a great team, it’s hard for visitors to win. When the same crowd is cheering for a merely decent home team, upsets happen all the time.

… The point is, home field is overrated when it comes to a collision of quality teams.

Some questions and analysis about the game for each team:

Now, can Tennessee reclaim Neyland Stadium this year, starting Saturday night? A win would be a huge springboard for a team that certainly will rebound from the unthinkable 2005. A seventh straight home loss to a top-10 team would really sting. The key matchup is Tennessee’s rebuilt but veteran defensive line versus Cal’s rebuilt defensive line. Combined, the Vols’ group has 10 career sacks. These are solid guys, but can they be disruptive playmakers and “War-Daddy” run stuffers against hypertalented Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett? Cal’s blockers consist of three sophomore starters who will get a baptism to the big-time. How well will they handle the noise and confusion of opening night, protect Nate Longshore and open holes? Quick drops can help mask an overmatched line, but for how long?

About Tennessee’s quarterback and new offensive coordinator:

More attention on Rocky Top has been focused on the effect David Cutcliffe’s return as offensive coordinator will have on QB Erik Ainge. In the six years Cutcliffe called the plays at UT, the Vols averaged more than 30 points each year, with Peyton Manning and Tee Martin under center. Last year’s team scored fewer than 19 per game. Expect the average to be closer to 30 than 19 this year. The Vols will be fine. Corso might need a Plan B for Glendale by 9 p.m. Saturday.

And finally, some general praise for the coaches:

Fun with Corso aside, I want to salute what Jeff Tedford and defensive coordinator Bob Gregory have done at Cal. Before they got there, don’t forget, the Bears were awful. Eight straight losing seasons, bottoming out with a 1-10 debacle in 2001 that featured six losses by 27 or more points. The Bears took beatings from UCLA (by 39) and Oregon (by 41). Under Tedford, Cal has reeled off four straight winning seasons, averaging more than eight wins per. If this kind of astounding reversal had been engineered at a more visible program, Tedford would be much more fully appreciated as the absolute top-tier coach he is. That kind of national wake-up call is what can be achieved Saturday night.

Lynch #4 in ESPN’s first Heisman Watch

Running back Marshawn Lynch has taken the fourth spot in ESPN’s Heisman Watch poll with 26 points, behind Brady Quinn (69), Adrian Peterson (56), and Troy Smith (40) while in front of fifth spot (Kenny Irons, 7 points). Take a look.

Overshadowed by that other SoCal school, Lynch has enjoyed two productive years rushing for the Bears. Will he grab the spotlight this year?

Last performance: Lynch put on a show against BYU, rushing for 194 yards and 3 TDs.

SI: Lynch #1 and Mebane #4 players in Pac-10

Sports Illustrated has an online photo gallery with a listing of its top 10 players in the Pac-10. Marshawn Lynch takes the number one spot:

The dynamic and elusive running back enters the season as a Heisman Trophy candidate. He has the speed to turn the corner and the strength to pound between the tackles. If healthy, Lynch and RB Justin Forsett should easily combine for more than 2,500 yards on the ground.

Meanwhile, Brandon Mebane takes the number four spot:

He could be the nation’s best defensive tackle. At 6-3, 306 pounds, he moves like a defensive end. Last season Mebane regularly faced double teams but still compiled seven sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. He should easily earn All-America honors.

The whole top 10: 1. RB Marshawn Lynch (California) 2. WR Dwayne Jarrett (USC) 3. WR Jason Hill (Washington State) 4. DT Brandon Mebane (California) 5. QB Rudy Carpenter (Arizona State) 6. RB Yvenson Bernard (Oregon State) 7. TE Zach Miller (Arizona State) 8. DE Lawrence Jackson (USC) 9. OT Sam Baker (USC) 10. CB Antoine Cason (Arizona). Thanks Sam W.

Lynch getting love on ESPN

ESPN has put up a good bit on Marshawn Lynch, including a feature article and chat transcript. “Lynch lets his production speak for itself” describes Lynch’s good-natured and humble personality, while highlighting his accolades on the football field. Lynch’s chat on Sportsnation also shines light on him being a great guy. Thanks Chris B.

SportingNews.com also has a short interview with Lynch. Take a look.

Jackson returning punts, Lynch returning kickoffs

The Oakland Tribune wrote a feature article about receiver DeSean Jackson today. It also notes that Coach Jeff Tedford has decided to have Jackson returning punts (teamed with Tim Mixon) and will again have Marshawn Lynch returning kickoffs (teamed with Marcus O’Keith).

Now, we really have our most dangerous players in the open field. Hopefully, this will be an improved year on special teams.

Rivals names 10 Cal players on All-Pac 10 Team

Rivals.com has named its pre-season all-conference team for the Pac-10. While USC has 6 selections on the first-team, Cal has the most overall with 10 players.

On the first-team offense is Marshawn Lynch (RB), while the first-team defense includes Brandon Mebane (DT), Desmond Bishop (LB), and Daymeion Hughes (CB). DeSean Jackson (WR) is a second-team offense selection while Nu’u Tafisi (DE), Matt Malele (DT), Anthony Felder (LB), and Tim Mixon (CB) rounded out the defense. Mixon was also selected as the second-team punt-returner.

That’s seven defensive players on the list, some of whom are not guaranteed to start, giving you an idea how dominating the defense should be.

Bears “smelling roses” – Oakland Tribune

The Oakland Tribune has put Marshawn Lynch on the front page of today’s sports section, giving high praise and hype for the team this season. The article describes this season as a “golden opportunity” to get back to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 48 years, the best chance since Chuck Muncie and the 1975 team. The article also goes over a few question marks, including the quarterback situation, hybrid offense, Lynch, pass rush, and shutdown corners. Take a look.