Young Talent has Cal Moving Forward
Even with the loss of Running Back Shane Vereen, Cal still has swiftness in the backfield. Tailback Isi Sofele seems as hungry as ever to become the primary option of the Golden Bears ground game, averaging 5.2 yards per rush as well as 20.1 yards per kick return. Special teams is also a strong point for this team with three position specialist (wide receiver, kick returner, and defensive back) Keenan Allen. He was last season‘s leader in return yards totaling 406 yards and averaging 22.6 per return. Keenan also happens to bet he half-brother of Zach Maynard who transferred from Buffalo to Cal, and is eligible to play QB in 2011. On defense they will be bringing back D.J. Holt as a linebacker. Holt is the current tackle leader with 84 tackles last season and will play an even bigger part in Cal's defense with former linebacker Mike Mohamed headed to the New England Patriots. Cal is small compared to the teams they will line up against in the Pac 12 but what they lack in physicality they make up with speed. Also Cal outscored their opponents in the 4th quarter 88-40.
Overall, the Golden Bears have struggled last season with tough physical teams like Stanford and USC, and being unable to stop them from putting points up due to their size. But, then again, those teams are very good. This year can prove to be different if they can get by Washington and Oregon they then have USC and Utah at home. If they can hold a good record until they meet a tough test with Stanford and Andrew Luck they could be in contention for a bowl game. With young and exciting talent, this can be a solid team.
For the first time in 88 seasons the Golden Bears will play its home games outside of Berkeley due to rennovations at Memorial Stadium.
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