California Golden Bears
Overall Rank: #45
#8 Pac-12
California Team Page
2010 Record: (5-7, 3-6)
2010 Bowl: none
Coach: Jeff Tedford (72-42 at California, 72-42 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Jim Michalczik
Defensive Coordinator: Clancy Pendergast
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Isi Sofele, RB, 338 yards
Passing: Brock Mansion, QB, 646 yards
Receiving: Marvin Jones, WR, 765 yards
Tackles: D.J. Holt, LB, 85
Sacks: Mychal Kendricks, LB, 8.5
Interceptions: Marc Anthony, CB, 2
Other Key Returnees: WR Keenan Allen, P Bryan Anger, S Sean Cattouse, G Justin Cheadle, DE Trevor Guyton, CB Josh Hill, DE Ernest Owusu, OT Mitchell Schwawrtz, OT Matt Summers-Gavin
Key Losses: DE Keith Browner, S Chris Conte, G Donovan Edwards, C Chris Guarnero, CB Darian Hagan, DT Derrick Hill, DE Cameron Jordan, LB Mike Mohamed, QB Kevin Riley, TB Shane Vereen
California had a lot of talent on their 2010 squad, but they failed to develop any sort of consistency. Much of that was an offensive issue as the defense did a pretty good job on a relatively regular basis. They gave up 52 points to Nevada and 48 points to USC, but they also held Oregon to 15 points.
Strengths:
It should be the defense that keeps the Golden Bears in games in 2011. Even without players like Mike Mohamed, Chris Conte and Cameron Jordan, there is still plenty of potential. Ends Deandre Coleman, Trevor Guyton and Ernest Owusu might not be Cameron Jordan, but they should have the opportunity to put up some solid numbers in Cal’s 3-4 defense. The key will be finding a player who can clog the middle of the line. Aaron Tipoti is the most experienced option and fellow junior Kendrick Payne has some potential, but keep an eye out for 6-3, 350 pound freshman Viliami Moala. Mychael Kendricks, who led Cal with 8.5 sacks in 2010 and D.J. Holt are two solid inside linebackers. They are both experienced seniors who should do a fine job helping out the front three and the back four. Freshmen David Wilkerson and Cecil Whiteside are interesting options at the outside linebacker spots and senior Ryan Davis is a quality option if the freshmen prove to be unable to make a big impact right away. The secondary did lose Darian Hagan and Chris Conte after ranking first in the Pac-10 in pass defense in 2010. The Bears could still sport the conference’s best pass defense with safety Sean Cattouse and corner Marc Anthony leading the way.
Weaknesses:
California and Coach Jeff Tedford are known for producing great quarterbacks. Kevin Riley never lived up to that billing. Brock Mansion finished off last season as the starter, but Buffalo transfer Zach Maynard will be starting on opening day. Maynard did not prove to be an accurate or efficient passer during his time with the Bulls, but he is an elusive quarterback and has developed his game over the last year. He may not be the answer, but he can at least keep plays alive with his feet and try and get the ball to Cal’s talented playmakers. If that does not work, the running game will have to take over. That will not be easy without Shane Vereen, who rushed for 1,167 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Isi Sofele is a little back who was a nice change of pace back for Vereen, but it is unlikely that he will be able to handle a full workload. Junior college transfer C.J. Anderson has the folks in Berkley excited and he could be more than just a change of pace back for Sofele sooner or later.
The Bottom Line:
If Maynard can get the ball to his receivers, this offense should be better. Keenan Allen and Marvin Jones are fine receivers who can make things happen. The offense has gone over a major overhaul in the coaching staff from new coordinator Jim Michalczik down to the offensive line coach. Whether or not those changes and the new personnel can at least turn into a balanced offense that performs much better than they did at the end of last season will be the difference between another 5-7 season and a trip to a decent bowl game.
Projected Bowl: New Mexico Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 158.92 (52nd in nation, 6th in conference)
Passing Offense: 175.08 (94, 9)
Total Offense: 334.00 (90, 7)
Scoring Offense: 25.83 (73, 6)
Rushing Defense: 132.08 (35, 5)
Pass Defense: 187.00 (21, 1)
Total Defense: 319.08 (18, 1)
Scoring Defense: 22.58 (40, 3)
Turnover Margin: .17 (45, 5)
Sacks: 2.83 (13, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 1.92 (62, 5)
Madness 2012 NFL Draft Rankings:
#30 Sean Cattouse
Madness 2011 FBS Football Recruit Rankings:
#53 Viliami Moala
#90 Brennan Scarlett
#104 Stefan McClure
#132 Todd Barr
#143 Jason Gibson
#152 Jordan Rigsbee
#153 Mustafa Jalil
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