2011-2012 Season Preview

2010-2011 was an amazing season in Berkeley. After being picked to finish 7th in the Pac-10 Coach London took a rebuilding effort and created a National Champion. California managed to beat a weakened USC and Oregon and snuck into the BCS Title game thanks to a number of one loss juggernauts, but this upcoming season will be very different. Cal has been awarded a #9 pre-season ranking, but Coach London knows that 2010-2011 will be a serious uphill climb.

The Golden Bears lose a number of guys that formed the core of their team, the biggest issue being the departure of Shane Vereen and defensive leader Mike Mohamed. If losing Vereen and Mohamed weren't bad enough they will be playing this season at AT&T Park while their stadium and facilities upgrades are completed, so this may be a season of chaos in the Bay Area. Coach London will have an incredibly difficult time living up to last season, but he will not shy away.

California has been picked to finish 3rd in the Pac-10 this season, just behind #6 USC and #12 Washington.

2010 Overall Record : 13-0

2010 Conference Record : 9-0 (1st)

Returning Starters
Offense : 7; Defense : 6; Kicker/Punter : 2

Top Returners : WR Marvin Jones, TE Anthony Miller, OLB/LE Chris Martin, MLB DJ Holt

Key Losses : HB Shane Vereen, QB Kevin Riley, LB Mike Mohamed, DT Derrick Hill

2010 Statistical Leaders (*Returning Starters)
Rushing : Shane Vereen (2770)
Passing : Kevin Riley (2675)*
Receiving : Michael Calvin (790)*
Tackles : DJ Holt (65)*
Sacks : Chris Martin (6)*
Interceptions : Sean Cattouse* (6)

SPRING ANSWERS

1 - Settled Under Center. With 12 year starter Kevin Riley finally graduating, after a successful season of handing the ball to Shane Vereen, Cal has an opening under center. Luckily for the Bears there is alot of depth at QB, but more importantly there is a definite starter in waiting. California will start JR Beau Sweeney who will not have a Heisman hopeful behind him, so Sweeney may be forced to carry the offense. Sweeney will be backed up by SR Brock Mansion and SO Allan Bridgford. SO Austin Hinder and incoming FR Kyle Boehm have been redshirted.

2 - Attacking Defense Returns. Cal faces a serious change on the defensive line, but the return of Holt and Kendricks will allow London to continue his attacking style. If Chris Martin continues to develop Cal could have the most explosive edge rushing team in football, look for Cal to produce a top defense once again.

3 - Stellar Blocking. It would be foolish to overlook the Bears offensive line when looking at Vereen's Heisman season, and Cal fans can expect more of the same. Cal will return four of five starters from last season and should be solid all season. Despite the optimism surrounded Sweeney the Bears will rely on a running game, so the offensive line will be key to getting back to a bowl game.

FALL QUESTIONS

1 - Heisman Replacement. The exit of Vereen has left a big hole on offense. If it was bad finding his back up last year its going to be worse finding his replacement. Covaugn Deboskie-Johnson was second on the team in rushing yards, but he hasn't carried a full load in any games. Its clear that Deboskie-Johnson leads the pack, but the depth chart is thin and we could see just about anyone starting. Trajuan Briggs and Dasarte Yarnway have looked good, but not good enough to fend off super freshman Darrell Green and clear up the confusion. Green has game breaking speed, but he has been slow to learn patience and the offense.

2 - Defensive Leader. The departure of Mike Mohamed leaves the Bears without a leader on defense. The best candidate would be MLB DJ Holt, but we will need to see how the team gels and who steps up as a leader.

3 - Receiver Void. The lack of a solid starting HB is a problem, but not nearly as problematic as the lack of receiving options. Marvin Jones and Michael Calvin return, but after them the depth chart turns into a giant question mark full of slow possession receivers. Alex Lagemann looks to be Cal's third receiving option, but after him it could Quinn Tedford (Yes, Jeff Tedford's son) or incoming freshman Jake Utley. Coach London is going to have to rely on Miller-Calvin-Jones to help Sweeney, other than that things look very bleak.

2010 Recruiting Round-Up

Coach London's first class was underwhelming to say the least. Cal has never been much of a recruiting superpower, but the Bears failed to pull in a class full of blue chip recruits. California finished with the 91st ranked class, much lower than expected, but Coach London wasn't without a few recruiting gems. London is looking like a genius now that practice has started, two of his recruits have wowed coaches and have a serious chance at being starters. HB Darrell Green out of Alameda CA has shown incredible speed and vision running the ball, considering the problems at HB he will get quite a few looks on offense. The other recruit showing world class speed is CB Terrance Miller, who lacked offers due to some off-field issues and questions about his character. Miller was lured to Cal by its Track & Field program and will be running for them as well as playing football. Even though the class is nothing special it appears that London is developing a new trend as he managed to sign a few recruits from Florida and Louisiana, important recruiting grounds that could pay dividends in future classes.

Projected Starters (*Returning Starter)

QB - B.Sweeney
HB - C.Deboskie-Johnson
FB - W.Kapp*
LT - M.Summers-Gavin*
LG - TJ Emery
C - M.Brazinski*
RG - J.Cheadle*
RT - M.Schwartz*
TE - A.Miller*
WR - M.Jones*
WR - M.Calvin
K - B.Anger*

DE - E.Owusu
DT - D.Coleman
DT - K.Payne*
DE/OLB - C.Martin*
MLB - D.J.Holt*
MLB - JP Hurrell
OLB - M.Kendricks*
CB - V.Samuels
CB - J.Hill*
FS - S.Cattouse*
SS - K.Allen
P - B.Anger*

2011 Schedule

Aug. 27 at Utah
Sept. 3 at Colorado
Sept. 10 #11 Boise State
Sept. 24 Oregon
Oct. 8 at Arizona
Oct. 15 UCLA
Oct. 22 at #6 USC
Oct. 29 at Washington State
Nov. 5 Arizona State
Nov. 12 #12 Washington
Nov. 19 #20 Oregon State
Nov. 26 Stanfurd