It's tough to replace a star like Marshawn Lynch.
The Cal Bears will try with Justin Forsett as the featured back this year. He's a senior and has plenty of experience, but it's a long shot to think he's going to produce the way Lynch did for the Bears. Many of the NFL pundits are penning Lynch as the NFL Rookie of The Year frontrunner. So the bar is set really high.
Quarterback Nate Longshore is poised for big things at quarterback, especially with DeSean Jackson as the primary target and Jeff Tedford as his coach. Now that Longshore's a year older, there's no room for an outing like he had against Arizona last year (3 INTs in a loss). Goals of 30 TD passes and no more than 8 INTs are what he needs to be focused on - yes, those are some serious numbers. He has a big shot to put himself on the map, especially when you consider he's going to be front-and-center in some key games this year.
Jackson is straight-up electric and one of the few guys in the country that's truly worth the price of admission. He had 59 catches for almost 1,100 yards last year, but he does so much more on special teams. Also, watch out for transfer receiver Nyan Boateng. He comes from UF where he was lost in the shuffle, but the Brooklyn-native has enough size and speed to make he, Jackson and the very consistent Robert Jordan one of the best corps in the country. I got a little video crazy with Jackson on this post, but it's worth it. Watch the burst of speed he has at his own 40 in the first video.
If Longshore is indeed productive, it'll mean little if the defense doesn't improve. I can't say I'd boast if I was a part of last year's Cal defense. Last year, the Bears ranked 91 overall last year and still managed a 10-win season. ONLY 28 TEAMS IN THE COUNTRY WERE WORSE ON DEFENSE! Last year's season opener in Knoxville is a key example of what happens when your defense is…well, not playing like a defense (35-7 in the 4th quarter).
Improving this year is beyond necessary, but will be very difficult. The bulk of talent on last year's team is gone, leaving defensive tackle Matt Malele, linebacker Worrell Williams and safety Brandon Hampton some gigantic shoes to fill with an enormous amount of pressure. Keep an eye on fellow safety Thomas DeCoud. He has the tools and came on strong early last season but was slowed by a knee injury. He could be the X-factor for this defense (as could linebacker Justin Moye - they need productivity out of the senior who has just three career starts).
If this year's squad can at least be somewhat decent, the Pac-10 championship is very do-able, but there can be no mishaps, and, of course, the Bears will need to upset USC at home. But before then, all eyes have to be on the season opener against the Volunteers. It'll be a great litmus test for that defense.
Player I would shred you with on NCAA 2k8: DeSean Jackson (see the third video)
80s theme song: "Hangin' Tough" - New Kids on The Block (1988) … "Get loose everybody 'cause were gonna do our thing. 'Cause you know it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings." (Yeah, I went there…Respect it.)
Save this date: Nov. 10 vs. Southern Cal
25. Boston College & Intro; 24. UCLA; 23. Hawaii; 22. Florida State; 21. Georgia; 20. Oklahoma; 19. South Carolina; 18. Oregon; 17. Rutgers; 16. Arkansas; 15. Louisville; 14. Penn State