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Bears more green than Golden By Ted Miller Special to ESPN.com |
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California Golden Bears
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Coach: Jeff Tedford (7-5, 2nd season) 2002 overall record: 7-5 Conference record: 4-4 Returning starters Offense: 6 Defense: 2 Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Joe Igber (1,130 yds) Passing: Kyle Boller (2,815 yds) Receiving: Lashaun Ward (709 yds) Tackles: Bert Watts (80) Sacks: Tully Banta-Cain (13) Interceptions: Jemeel Powell (5) Outlook: What should a coach do if he lost 24 seniors and welcomed back just eight starters, fewest in the Pac-10? If you were California coach Jeff Tedford, you'd add a season-opening game on Aug. 23 against highly rated Kansas State in Kansas City. "I felt it was imperative to play as many games as we can," Tedford explained. Sure… but why not add a directional school? The Bears turnaround in Tedford's first year was one of the best stories of last season. A lot of folks didn't think they'd win a game. The won seven, went 4-4 in the conference and would have gone to a bowl game if not for NCAA sanctions. This season will be a bigger challenge. An influx of junior college talent will have to learn quickly, particularly on defense where just two starters return. Three JC transfers are expected to play key defensive roles: ends Ryan Riddle and Ray Tago and linebacker Joe Maningo. The battle to replace Kyle Boller was between Reggie Robertson and Richard Schwartz during spring practices, but count on stud JC quarterback Aaron Rodgers eventually winning the job. Tailback could be up for grabs. Adimchinobe Echemandu and Terrell Williams both return from knee injuries, but freshman Marcus O'Keith and JC transfer J.J. Arrington might find a way into the mix. The receivers, led by Jonathan Makonnen are solid but not terribly athletic. The line, perhaps the Bears' strength, returns three starters. Last year, Cal led the conference in turnover margin (plus-18). The combination of youth and a tough schedule figure to make last year's secret of success hard to reproduce. Key game: A visit to Illinois on Sept. 20 completes a ridiculous four-game stretch of non-conference contests to open the season (at Kansas State, Southern Miss, Colorado State, at Utah). At this point, it should be clear whether a young team will coalesce into dangerous bunch or revert to the losing ways of the past. Keep an eye on: An inexperienced defense. Replacing quarterback Kyle Boller will be a chore, but with just two starters back on defense, the Bears will have to figure out a way to stop -- or at least slow down -- teams with the conference's greenest unit. It's a good year if. . .: If Cal wins five or six games, it should be set up for success next season. Don't be surprised if Tedford, one of the nation's top young coaches, pulls another rabbit out of his hat. Ted Miller covers the Pac-10 for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
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