2010 Arkansas Razorbacks Preview Odds

California Golden Bears

8-5, 6-7 ATS, 6th Place in Pac-10

Odds to Win 2010 BCS Championship: +10000 at Bookmaker Sportsbook

The Golden Bears, under head coach Jeff Tedford, have gone eight straight years with a winning record. Last year’s Poinsettia Bowl loss snapped a four game bowl winning streak. This year California returns enough talent to get them to an eighth straight bowl appearance.

Offensive Outlook: Senior quarterback Kevin Riley will be leading the offense this season. His performance last year included completing 209-of-382 passes for 2,850 yards, 18 TDs, and eight INTs. Leading receiver, junior Marvin Jones is back. He was Riley’s most prolific target last year, gaining 651 yards and scoring six times on 43 receptions. Tight end Anthony Miller and receiver Jeremy Ross will also be back. Miller averaged 13.7 yards per catch on 26 receptions and Ross averaged 15.6 yards per catch on 22 catches, scoring once. A huge loss for the offense is running back Jahvid Best. Best ran for 867 yards and 12 scores on 141 carries and also scored four times on 22 catches. Best split time with Shane Vereen a year ago, but now Vereen will be the lone workhorse. Now a junior, Vereen compiled 952 yards and 12 scores on 183 rushes. Last year’s team gained 392 yards per game, and doesn’t figure to see that number take much of a hit.

Defensive Outlook: The defense was real killer in 2009 for the Golden Bears. Opponents scored 30+ points five times, all of which ended in defeat. The nation’s 111th worst passing defense gave up 266.2 yards per game, but did sack the quarterback 28 times. The deep roster of linebackers sees Mike Mohamed back for his senior year. Mohamed led the squad with three interceptions in 2009. The rest of the defense is also heavily laden with juniors and seniors, as the entire 'D' only loses seven players. Last year’s unit gave up just 111.8 rushing yards per game. A more experienced group of defensive backs should ensure improvement against opposing air attacks.

The Final Word: California figures to stay right in the middle of the Pac-10. The question is whether the Bears can get off to a fast start in conference play. Last season, the offense managed six combined points in the first two games against USC and Oregon. This season, the Bears will begin Pac-10 play against Arizona and UCLA. Expect this team to go bowling again, but it is not quite at the level to go for the conference crown.

2010 California Golden Bears Prediction: 7-5, 7th place in Pac-10

2010 California Golden Bears Schedule
9/4 UC-Davis
9/11 Colorado
9/17 @ Nevada
9/25 @ Arizona
10/9 UCLA
10/16 @ USC
10/23 Arizona State
10/30 @ Oregon State
11/6 @ Washington State
11/13 Oregon
11/20 Washington
11/27 Stanford