Cal 2009 NCAA Football Predictions

Written June 27, 2009 by InfoPlays

Cal has a good core of experienced players to work with in 2009, returning 15 starters on offense and defense from a team that won 9 games a year ago. There’s enough talent at the skill positions and experience along the lines for the Bears to challenge the USC Trojans for the Pac-10 championship. But they must have consistent and efficient quarterback play, something that has been missing the past few seasons. According to the NCAA football odds, the Bears are listed at +7500 to win the National Title this year.

Offense: The Bears have one of the best tailback tandems in the country in Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen, who combined for 187 rushing yards/game last season. They’ll need help from their quarterback to keep defenses honest if they are to exceed that total in ‘09. Coach Jeff Tedford won’t name a starter until well into training camp, and possibly not until the week of the season opener. Junior Kevin Riley must improve his accuracy and decision making, but he’s the clear favorite for the simple fact that he has seven career starts with 277 pass attempts under his belt. Sophomore Brock Mansion has zero and six, respectively, and red shirt freshman Beau Sweeney obviously has no college experience.

There is just as much uncertainty at receiver, where Cal has a bevy of talented veterans in Verran Tucker, Jeremy Ross and Nyan Boateng, not no proven playmakers. The best of the bunch might be sophomore Marvin Jones, who was limited by injury in ‘08, but came through with a terrific spring. Redshirt junior Chris Guarnero will step in for All-American center Alex Mack, a first-round NFL draft pick. Guarnero started at guard in ‘08 before a season-ending to injury, but his natural position is center. Some shuffling should result in veterans Chet Teofilo and Mark Boskovich starting at the two guard spots. Mitchell Schwartz and Mike Tepper will man the tackle positions. Tepper missed last season with a torn pectoral muscle.

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Defense: The Cal Bears might overtake USC defensively with the best unit in the Pac-10 this season. Ends Cameron Jordan and Tyson Alualu are all-league material. Alualu had 11 tackles for loss last season and he’s relentless. Jordan is more gifted physically with 11 tackles for loss in limited time last year. Derrick Hill mans the middle, but Cal can go three deep at the position. Mike Mohamed, who ranked third on the team in tackles with 87 last year despite not starting, is expected to start at the weak inside spot. Next to him in the middle, look for sophomore Mychal Kendricks. Returning starter Eddie Young will handle the strong outside spot, with Devin Bishop manning the other side. That’s the plan at least entering fall training camp.

Cal features three well-regarded junior college linebackers in Jerome Meadows, Jarred Price and Ryan Davis, all arriving in August and expected to compete for playing time. The Bears have a superb cornerback tandem with Darian Hagan and Syd’Quan Thompson, the all-leaguer who moves off the corner in nickel situations as a roamer. Marcus Ezeff and Brett Johnson are back and expected to retain their starting safety spots, if they can hold off Sean Cattouse.

Check out the InfoPlays Homepage to get yourself a premium package that will allow you access to all of our NCAA football picks coming this fall. Larry Cook won the 2007 NCAA Football World Handicapping Championship here at Betfirms, and he’ll bring his best effort in 2009 with football picks you can count on.

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One Response to “Cal 2009 NCAA Football Predictions”

Ron Largent on July 16th, 2009 10:07 pm

This is great news…very comprehensive and shows some homework. Well done, and thanks,
Ron Largent, Redding, CA

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