Pac 10 - California

Cal
Skinny - California returns one of the nation's best running backs in Jahvid Best. Best proved his name as he rushed for 1580/15 and he wasn't even playing pull strength for parts of the season. Cal loses two All Pac 10 first teamers from last season (Alex Mack and Zack Follett), but they also return two in Best and CB Syd'Quan Thompson. Playing a 3-4 defense Cal returns the entire defensive line and secondary, but will have to find 3 replacements at linebacker including someone to replace Follett. The team should boast one of the strongest rushing attacks in the nation behind Best, but there is some uncertainty on the offensive line and at quarterback. The line must replace two starters including Mack, but the bigger issue is if Kevin Riley can finally secure the quarterback position to himself. The schedule is top heavy with two BCS school non-conference matchups in three weeks followed by trip to Oregon and a visit by USC. If Cal can get through this stretch 4-1 it would be a success and running the table from there is very possible. The question is though, if Cal struggles at the beginning of the year will the train derail? Hypothetically they should beat Minnesota on September 19, but Minnesota is a long plane ride and could show some signs of lag. Keep in mind California lost last year in a trip to Maryland and all four of their losses were on the road.

Strength - Jahvid Best
Best emerged last year as a dominant back as a sophomore and playing a full season injury free, he has a real chance at eclipsing 2000 yards and being mentioned in the Heisman race alongside the quarterbacks. Even though Best rushed for almost 1600 yards last season, California only ranked 29th in the country in rushing ypg, so somebody needs to step up and complement Best. Best runs behind a line with plenty of experience, but will it take a step back without Alex Mack or will the play of the three returners overshadow the loss? In either case, Best's numbers shouldn't change based on line play. Best can only hope added stability at the quarterback position and the return of the wide receivers will add a more rounded attack, taking the pressure off himself. Best should compete for All-American honors and truly burst onto the national scene this year.

Weakness - Linebacker experience
Linebackers play a pivotal role on the defense, considering there are four of them since Cal runs a 3-4 base defense. Zack Follett is gone and only outside backer Eddie Young returns, but Michael Mohamed could count as a returning starter considering the number of snaps he played last season and that he is the teams leading returning tackler with 87 and 51 being solo. Mychal Kendricks, Devin Bishop, Jarred Price, and Ryan Davis should compete for the remaining two spots. Price, Davis, and Jerome Meadows are all JUCO transfers showing Cal's need for immediate linebacker help. The rest of the defense returns and is very strong, so this unit should dictate just how good the defense can be.

Key Game - @Oregon 9/26/09
Coming off a long trip to Minnesota, the Golden Bears may have a little bit of a hangover from the previous weeks trip, but they can't if they want to win in the zoo. Cal struggled on the road last season and they have two defining trips in the first four weeks this season. Cal also can't look ahead to the following week with the big game against USC. This is the hump game in the tough three game stretch considering not only team strength but also scheduling difficulty.

Key Player - Kevin Riley
Riley had a nice 14/6 TD-INT ratio last season but he had to split time with Nate Longshore and never really had the job locked down to himself. Longshore is gone and now is his chance to seize the reigns. He returns his receiving corps so hopefully some chemistry has been built up. The team only ranked 83 in the nation in pass offense last season, but to their credit the passing game is big in the turnover margin which Cal ranked 7th in the nation in. Riley shouldn't have to worry about splitting time unless he really sputters, so he must seize the opportunity to help take pressure off Best.

Impact Freshman - Deandre Coleman

Predicted Pac-10 finish - 3rd

Top 5 Players
1. RB Jahvid Best
2. CB Syd'Quan Thompson
3. DE Tyson Alualu
4. LB Michael Mohamed
5. P Bryan Anger

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