2008 Cal Bears Football


July 29, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Jeff Tedford and his Cal Bears underachieved last season by losing six of their final seven regular season games to finish with a 7-6 record.  Things looked promising when the Bears reeled off four straight wins to start the year, including their season opener in a 45-31 victory over Tennessee.  But a string of close losses crushed their BCS hopes.  Cal did finish off the season strong with a 42-36 snubbing of Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl to give the Bears a little momentum heading into this season.  The team at Info Plays previews their upcoming season with our 2008 Cal Bears football predictions below.

Offense:

The Bears enter training camp with more questions at the skill positions than in any other year under Tedford.  The bigger question will be at quarterback with Kevin Riley, star of the Armed Forces Bowl, and two-year starter Nate Longshore.  Tedford might not be naming a starter until the opener.  What appeared to be a fierce spring fizzled with Longshore pulled a pectoral muscle and had to shut it down.  Riley finished the spring strong to take the upper hand.

At tailback James Montgomery transferred, Justin Forsett graduated and Jahvid Best suffered a hip injury.  Best is expected to be healthy for the season, but the speedy sophomore had just 29 carries last year.  Three stud receivers departed, including DeSean Jackson, who combined for 184 catches last season.  There are no proven returners.  There’s still talent and size with Florida transfer Nyan Boateng, freshman Michael Calvin and senior LaReylle Cunningham.  Look for Cal to be more physical on the outside, but few big plays.  The Bears should be fine on the offensive line.  All-league center Alex Mach returns, and so do ‘07 starters Mike Tepper at tackle and Noris Malele at guard.  Heavy recruiting at the position gives Cal plenty of options at the other vacated positions.

Defense:

The Bears switch to a 3-4 this season to make best use of Cal’s personnel.  They are stocked with linebackers but a big slim on the defensive line.  Veteran linebackers include Anthony Fielder, Worrell Williams and Zack Follert, an all-conference playmaker.  Sophomore Eddie Young figures to be in the mix as well. 

Tackle Mika Kane and end Tyson Alualu are back.  The best talent on the line comes from end Rulon Davis, who recorded three sacks in just six games last year.  There’s plenty of experience in the secondary, including cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson and senior safety Bernard Hicks.  The Bears will be able to blanket the speedy receivers of the Pac-10, but they are undersized.  Open-field tackling was a weakness last season, especially at safety.

Cal Bears Football Predictions at Info Plays:  4th in the Pac-10

Expectations are lower at Cal than they have been in years, especially with the way they finished last season.  But there’s enough talent for Cal to surprise some foes, just as Tedford used to do in his early years.  With the Pac-10 taking a small step back, seven wins can be expected for the Bears.  But don’t be surprised if they reach eight or even nine victories this season with a lot to prove.

Pac-10 Wins Expected in ‘08:  at Washington State, UCLA, STANFORD, WASHINGTON

Potential Scares/Losses:  ARIZONA STATE, at Arizona, OREGON, at USC, at Oregon State

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