2011-2012 Football Previews – Pac 12 – California Golden Bears
After posting a 10-win season in 2006, the California Golden Bears have gone just 29-22 since, finishing the 2010 season 5-7 overall, and just 3-6 in conference play.
2011-2012 PAC 12 | California Golden Bears Football Preview
Coach: Jeff Tedford
2010-11 Record: 5-7 (3-6)
Cal Golden Bears Gambling Odds from Bodog.com to win BCS: 100-1
Cal Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
After nearly pulling off what would have been the biggest upset of the season before eventually losing 15-13 against a visiting Oregon Ducks, the G-Bears dropped their final two games of the 2010 season, including a 48-14 blowout to rival No. 6 Stanford.
One of Cal’s biggest problems last year was its inability to win games on the road, going 1-4 away from Memorial Stadium that will undergo renovations in 2011, forcing the Bears to play all of their home games at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
But placing the blame on a terrible road record is just the tip of Cal’s inept iceberg, as quarterback issues are the main reason why the Bears have struggled over the past few years, and will likely be the biggest reason they continue to do so in 2011.
The following is a breakdown of how Cal stacks up in the new PAC-12, as well as my prediction on where they will wind up when the season to an end.
Offense:
Head coach Jeff Tedford will need to have a much more hands-on approach to the offense this year, especially at the quarterback position.
After suffering a huge blow last year when senior starting quarterback Kevin Riley went down against Oregon State, Tedford was forced to go with backups Brock Mansion and Beau Sweeney for the Bears final four contests. Neither of whom impressed or were able to keep the Bears in the hunt, instead becoming the hunted.
This season Buffalo transfer Zach Maynard will be the object of Tedford’s affection as he tries to best Riley’s 1,409 yards and 13 touchdowns. Maynard’s last season with Buffalo in 2009 was mediocre at best, but he did demonstrate his ability to exit from the pocket when needed, racking 300 rushing yards in the process.
Combined with one of the top offensive lines in the PAC-12, that should give the G-Bears a completely new dimension this season, especially with the loss of running back Shane Vereen, who decided to skip his senior season to play in the NFL. Junior Isi Sofele, who finished second on the team with 338 yards in 2010, will get the lion’s share of the carries as he takes over the top spot this season.
With that key loss to the running game, the Bears’ experienced receiving corps will need to raise the noise level to help Maynard. That shouldn’t be a problem for seniors Marvin Jones and Michael Calvin, as well as sophomore Keenan Allen, all starters who return from last season.
Jones led the way with 50 receptions for 765 yards and four touchdowns, while Allen turned in an inspiring freshman performance with 46 catches for 490 yards and five scores. Tight end Anthony Miller also returns, giving Maynard another option.
Defense:
Cal’s defense will also experience some setbacks this season, and it will be most felt along the defensive line. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Defensive end Trevor Guyton, although a senior, will get his first starting role this season after a solid backup performance in 2010. He will brace a line that places 350-pound freshman nose tackle Viliami Moala, tackles Todd Ban, Brennan Scarlett, and Mustafa Jalil, between him and sophomore DeAndrew Coleman who posted a solid freshman season at DE.
In the middle will be a pair of returning starters in senior linebackers Mychal Kendricks and D.J. Holt. Kendricks led the team with 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, while Holt finished second on the team with 85 tackles.
Finally, in the secondary the Golden Bears bring back starting corner Marc Anthony and senior strong safety Sean Cattouse. Injuries set Cathouse back at the beginning of the 2010 season, but he reclaimed a starting spot midway through the season, registering 59 tackles in all. Anthony made vast improvement last season, and he’s the kind of player who might continue to improve. He had two interceptions and broke up six passes in 10 starts in 2010.
2011-2012 Arizona Football Prediction: 4th PAC-12 North
Without a viable quarterback it is nearly impossible to compete for conference championships, and with no true home games this season, I can’t see the Golden Bears finishing with better than a 6-6 overall record, which may be just enough to keep Tedford in town for another season.
2011 Cal Golden Bears Schedule
9/3/11 12:00 PM ET FRSST
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET @COL
9/17/11 12:00 PM ET PRES
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET @WASH
10/6/11 9:00 PM ET @ORE
10/13/11 9:00 PM ET USC
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET UTAH
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET @UCLA
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET WSHST
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET OREST
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET @STAN
11/25/11 10:15 PM ET @ARZST
One reply on “2011 California Golden Bears Gambling Odds | Predictions”
Will CAL have more or less than 8 wins in 2011?