Cal Golden Bears 2009 Season Preview/Prediction
The College Football season may be 7-8 weeks away but our man James Hayes has been deep in study and will provide his take and 2009 College Football Predictions on as many NCAA teams as he can before the 2009/10 season kicks off.
We start from the top and move our way down so keep checking in for more college football previews for the 2009-2010 NCAA Football Season!
Our 2009 NCAA Football Predictions – Teams | Analysis | Previews Online
Coach: Jeff Tedford
2008 Record: 9-4
Maybe this is finally the year when Cal can assert itself in the Pac-10. The Bears are perhaps the only team to consistently give in-state bully USC a tough game.
There is a lot of experience returning to Berkeley this season, including running back Jahvid Best. His surname tells the story: he’s the class of the conference at his position.
Gambling Odds from Betus.com to win BCS: +5000
The Golden Bears offense should be dynamic with junior pivot Kevin Riley, Best and Shane Vereen in the backfield and Florida transfer Nyan Boateng as a receiving target. The offensive line returns three vets, Mike Tepper, Chris Guarnero and Chet Teofilo from injury.
While Cal has plenty of new faces at linebacker, the secondary should be outstanding with three returning seniors including sparkplug cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson. Beef, grey beards and long teeth abound on the defensive line.
Team Strengths
The secondary should give opposing QBs fits and could also result in some coverage sacks for the front seven. Tight end Spencer Ladner is a talent and was 2008’s Scout Team Player of the Year. Ty Alualu is a scary defensive end/tacker ’tweener and Bryan Anger is one of the best young punters in the NCAA.
And the Best part of the team is likely Jahvid.
Team Weaknesses
The Bears lose 2008 sackmaster Zack Follett and leading tackler Anthony Felder. A couple new junior college (JUCO) linebackers must prove their mettle. The line must also replace second-team All-American center Alex Mack, who went in the first round of the NFL draft to Cleveland.
Cal has a pretty solid team from top to bottom this season. If QB Riley flourishes, Tedford can perhaps re-stake his claim as a positional mastermind.
The Bears get USC at home this season and the non-conference slate isn’t too brutal, with only Maryland and Minnesota to contend with. If the Bears could somehow maul the Trojans, they are laughing.
2009 Cal Golden Bears Record Prediction: 10-3
James has been naming every player on the EA Sports NCAA video game rosters for half a decade now, he’s finally putting his knowledge to better use. Writing for us here at CappersPicks.com. As always you’re comments are welcome below…Give Us Your Take!
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