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.

Cal ‘underrated’ despite QB uncertainty

College Football News lists Cal as an “underrated” team in the polls. They write:

CFN writes: Cal is also a little underrated. Sure, they’ve still got a very questionable quarterback situation, but almost everything else on their roster looks great. They’ve got one of the best running backs in the country, plus a proven backup who’s also very good, they’ve got a great receiver corps, and their defense looks outstanding. I don’t get how anyone can justify having them outside their top 10 (and plenty of people did just that), and really they ought to be somewhere around #6 or #7. Vegas also has them at around 33:1 to win the national title, and around 3.5:1 to win the Pac-10. Both of those are significant bargains.

There’s also an article from the Associated Press detailing Coach Jeff Tedford‘s quarterback decision. They also have some photos of fall camp. Thanks Matt G.

Cal #9 in AP poll

The Associated Press has ranked Cal #9 in their poll. Take a look here.

ESPN ranks Cal #10

ESPN has ranked Cal #10 in its Power 16 rankings. Take a look here.

SI: Cal is BCS bound

CNNSI is predicting that Cal will face Texas in the Fiesta Bowl this postseason in their 2006 NCAA Football Preview. It also projects USC and Michigan in the Rose Bowl (meaning they think USC will win the Pac-10 while Cal will receive an at-large bid). This is in addition to their #8 preseason ranking for Cal and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane making their All-American list. Thanks Chris B.

Jackson ranked #6 preseason receiver

Rivals/Yahoo has named DeSean Jackson the #6 receiver in the nation for the preseason. They write:

6. DeSean Jackson, Cal, So., 6-0, 166
Despite missing one game due to injury, this true freshman led the Golden Bears in receptions (38), receiving yards (601) and TD receptions (seven). He also returned a punt 49 yards for a touchdown. Jackson had perhaps his best game of the season in Cal’s bowl game with 130 yards and two TDs on six receptions. With a year of experience and no health problems, Jackson is poised for a breakout year.

See the article here.

Lynch/Forsett top RB tandem in nation

ESPN‘s Todd McShay has ranked Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett as the nation’s top running back duo. He writes:

1. California Golden Bears
Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett

Lynch rushed for 1,246 yards despite missing two games with injuries and sharing time with Forsett last season. While Lynch is unquestionably the more explosive back, Forsett averaged 1.2 yards more per carry as the backup. Cal has more experience in the passing game and that should help spread defenses out this year. If that’s the case, Lynch and Forsett could combine for nearly 3,000 rushing yards after notching 2,245 in 2005.

Cal is ranked in front of Auburn, Michigan, Texas, Arkansas, TCU, Georgia, Florida State, Penn State, and Boston College.

ESPN: Cal “could surprise” in 2006

ESPN‘s Mark Schlabach has written an article called “Flying under the radar” describing seven underappreciated teams that “could make some noise”. He writes:

California Golden Bears
The Bears’ spotty play at quarterback last season was an aberration. It won’t happen again under coach Jeff Tedford, one of the best teachers of the passing game in the country. Quarterback Nate Longshore takes over after missing nearly all of 2005 with a broken ankle. Tailback Marshawn Lynch could explode if he stays healthy — he ran for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2005 despite being plagued by a hand injury. Cal goes to Tennessee for its Sept. 2 opener and could crush the Vols’ rebound hopes. Cal gets Arizona State, Oregon and UCLA at home, but goes to Southern California on Nov. 18.

The article is linked here.

Cal #12 in BCS preseason coaches’ poll

USA Today released its Top 25 preseason poll this morning. This poll represents 1/3 of the BCS equation. Cal comes in at #12, a little lower than I expected. The ranks and (first place votes):

USA Today Coaches’ Poll: 1. Ohio State (28) 2. Texas (11) 3. (tie) Notre Dame (9) 3. (tie) USC (1) 5. Oklahoma (13) 6. Auburn (1) 7. West Virginia 8. Florida 9. LSU 10. Florida State 11. Miami 12. California

13. Louisville 14. Georgia 15. Michigan 16. Virginia Tech 17. Iowa 18. Clemson 19. Penn State 20. Oregon 21. TCU 22. Nebraska 23. Tennessee 24. Alabama 25. Texas Tech

As you can see, USC is still highly ranked despite losing all that talent last season. It’s also good to see Tennessee ranked, making the September 2 opener real big. Note that while Oklahoma is #5, they will most likely drop significantly due to their starting QB being kicked off the team.

Pac-10 media picks Cal as preseason #2

In a poll of West Coast media members who cover Pac-10 football, Cal has been voted preseason #2 in the conference. While USC takes the #1 spot with 18 of 29 first-place votes, Cal also received 7 first-place votes. Take a look at the breakdown here.