Virginia Tech (8-4) vs. California (7-6)
Official Bowl Site

California 52, Virginia Tech 49

Does anybody play defense anymore? Cal's Aaron Rodgers threw all over the Virginia Tech defense to help the Bears claim the Insight Bowl. Virginia Tech not only allowed 52 points, but missed three field goals and had three kickoffs go out of bounds, including the final one to give Cal excellent field position to set up the game-winning field goal.

• It was California's first bowl win since the 1993 Alamo Bowl.
• There were no turnovers in the game.
• Virginia Tech finished the season losing five of its last seven games.

Tyler Fredrickson, who had missed his previous five field goal attempts, capped a wild Insight Bowl with a 35-yard field goal as time expired Friday night to give California a 52-49 victory over Virginia Tech. Cal's Aaron Rodgers and Virginia Tech's Bryan Randall each flirted with 400 yards passing in an aerial duel that saw both teams rally from 14-point deficits. Rodgers, a sophomore who didn't start until the fifth game, was 27-of-35 for 394 yards and two touchdowns. Full story

Can Frank Beamer ever find a quarterback after Michael Vick? Hard act to follow.... Stay tuned.

There's no doubt California's Tedford is an offensive guru, and he's got a prolific passing combo in Aaron Rogers and Geoff McArthur, who combined 16 times in their "Big Game" victory. Virginia Tech fields one of the country's most talented backfields with scramblers Bryan Randall and Marcus Vick handing off to future first-round draft pick Kevin Jones.

On paper, the Hokies are far superior to the Bears, but then again, so was Southern Cal. Expect Tedford to have his team hungry, excited and most of all prepared for this daunting challenge.

What California must do to win ... Run down RB Kevin Jones and don't let him go off for 200 yards in his last college game. Cal's offense is pretty good when it has the ball. Receiver Geoff McArthur, who caught 16 passes in a regular season game, will be a great matchup for Tech DB DeAngelo Hall. This game could be a launching point toward a 10-win season in 2004 for a Cal team that will return 15 starters.

What Virginia Tech must do to win ... Get itself back together on defense. The Hokies have given up 69 points in their last two games. They are a mystifying team that has collapsed late in the season three straight years. Junior running back Kevin Jones will play his last game with Va. Tech before going to the NFL early. He'll have to be good if the Hokies continue their struggle on defense in this game.

Story Line: Still think that USC is not playing for the Championship because of what a few computers determined? The real reason is the team facing Virginia Tech, the California Golden Bears. California was the only team to knock off the Trojans this year so Virginia Tech better not take them lightly.

Football.com Cam: A late season collapse by Virginia Tech is starting to look like a yearly tradition. This team was poised to be challenging for a national title before they decided to lose four of their last six games. This team is well coached and has the best running back in college football. They are filled with NFL prospects on the defensive side of the football and their special teams are second to none. Somebody tell me why Virginia Tech does this every year? This game will feature one of the best one-on-one matchups ion the bowl lineup, California wide receiver Geoff McArthur against Virginia Tech cornerback DeAngelo Hall. McArthur emerged from nowhere to become one of the most productive receivers in the country and will be a man that will test the inconsistent Virginia Tech defense and open things up for running back Adimchinobe Echemandu.

Bold Prediction: I think the points will be flying here. Maybe I am gullible but I think Virginia Tech can win this one. Virginia Tech 41 California 34

Steve Lassan:

Story Line: The Hokies looked like a national title contender after their victory against Miami, Fla., however the Hokies have had another second half collapse. The Hokies lost to Pittsburgh, Boston College and Virginia and nearly lost to Temple to close the season. The Golden Bears are a team on the rise in the Pac-10. Jeff Tedford has the program going in the right direction and getting to a bowl game is a good start to next season.

Football.com Cam: The key to the Hokies offense is the play of running back Kevin Jones. Jones has carried the offense while the team has played musical quarterbacks. The junior back will be entering the NFL Draft after this game, and he wants to go out in a big way. The only way Jones will have a big game is if he can get consistency out of the passing game. Bryan Randall and Marcus Vick have been switched in and out all year and that has hurt the confidence of both quarterbacks. Randall should be the guy for now and Vick next season. When the Golden Bears are on offense, they have a talented quarterback and an underrated running back. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has had an impressive season, throwing 17 touchdowns to five interceptions and running back Adimchinobe Echemandu is second in the Pac-10 in rushing yards and 12 touchdowns this season. The offense is likely to find room against the Hokies defense, but can their defense slow down Kevin Jones?

Bold Prediction: Something tells me Jeff Tedford will have his guys ready to play and primed for an upset.  However, since this is Kevin Jones final game, I think he is going to provide a huge effort.  Jones rushes for 150 and maybe more, but the Hokies fall just short as the Golden Bears win 27-24.  California 27 Virginia Tech 24

JJ Pesavento:

Story Line: Cal was picked by many to be a nominee for cellar dweller in the PAC 10, but someone forgot to inform them of that fact. After a lackluster 2-3 start, the Golden Bears raised some eyebrows when they knocked off powerhouse USC in OT. But then they returned to the form everyone expected and lost their next two games. Sitting at 3-5, many were ready to pull the plug on the Golden Bears, but a funny thing happened. Cal won four of their final five games to earn a bowl berth. Virginia Tech may have been on the other side of that coin. Big things were expected from the Hokies and it appeared they would deliver as they started 6-0. But then West Virginia ambushed them and the roof caved in as they lost three of their last four games to virtually back into the matchup with Cal.

Football.com Cam: Cal attacks defenses with a trio of players who surprised many by putting up big numbers in 2003. Aaron Rodgers threw for over 2,500 yards with 17 touchdowns for Cal even though he did not play a down in 2002 and did not see any real action until the fourth game of the 2003 season. All PAC 10 running back Adimchinobe Echemandu hadn't see the field in two years, but he rushed for over 1,100 yards with 12 touchdowns this season. All-American wide receiver Geoff McArthur may be the best wide receiver many fans haven't heard of. He had 85 receptions for over 1,500 yards with 10 touchdowns. Only Larry Fitzgerald of Pitt averaged more yards per game in the nation. Leading tackler and All Pac-10 selection Donnie McKleskey will lead the defense from his rover spot. McKleskey also led the Cal defense in tackles for loss (12) and pass break ups (11). Look for linebacker Wendell Hunter, who led the team in sacks (7) and trailed only McKleskey in overall tackles (89) and tackles for loss (10.5) to play an important role on defense as well. On weakness on special teams is the return game, which could use a boost.

When the Hokies have the ball, just watch All-American running back Kevin Jones. Jones, who will be in the NFL in 2004, rushed for 1,494 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2003. The entire passing attack only accounted for 13 scores. Eleven of those came from the arm of quarterback Bryan Randall who threw for 1,598 yards. Justin Hamilton and Ernest Wilford, who combined for 70 receptions and 1,058 yards with four scores will be the primary targets for Randall. Defensive back DeAngelo Hall, who was named the Big East Conference's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year as well as being selected as an all conference corner, leads the defense. He will be joined by fellow All Big East selections linebacker Vegas Robinson, defensive ends Cols Colas and Nathaniel Adibi and safety Michael Crawford. Crawford led the team in tackles (119), and Colas led the team in sacks (6) and tackles for loss (13), while Adibi led the squad in quarterback knock downs (19). One major advantage the Hokies normally bring into every game they play is an edge on special teams. They excel at blocking kicks and Hall gives them a real weapon in the return game. One other player to watch is Mike Imoh, who also doubles as a receiver.

Bold Prediction: Cal fought their way out of a hole to get to the bowl game, but the Hokies may be too much to handle for the Golden Bears. Both ground games will try and set the tone of the game, but Cal will probably try to mix it up more with the pass. They won't have much success throwing the ball and the Hokies are at their best when they have their opponents behind the eight ball. As we said, they do excel at blocking kicks and don't be shocked to see them block one on Cal. who has had problems in that area this season. Once the Hokies have the pressure on, they will take control of the game and come out on top. Virginia Tech 33 California 21