#12 California Golden Bears

Head Coach: Jeff Tedford
2003 Record:8-6

2004 Preview By DJ Boyer
football.com

Team MVP: Geoff McArthur was #2 to Larry Fitzgerald in nearly every conceivable receiving statistic in 2003. With Fitzgerald now I the NFL McArthur is ready to assert himself as the most dangerous receiver in the NCAA as he tries to build upon his 1,504 yard season.

Quarterback: The Bears return junior Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Rodgers should put up good numbers with his added experience and the talent he has at receiver in Geoff McArthur and Burl Toler. Rogers is being touted as the next great quarterback in the NCAA and with Andrew Walter of Arizona State, Matt Leinart of USC and Rogers playing in the Pac-10 you better believe pro scouts will be everywhere to watch the quarterback conference for 2004.

Running Back: Senior J.J. Arrington will take over for Joe Echemandu at running back, and if he has problems, the Bears have enough depth to move the chains. When I talk of depth I speak of Marshawn Lynch, a freshman that I had rated as the #3 running back coming out of high school. The Bears need to run the football, this team averaged over 32 PPG in 2003 and balance was the key.

Wide Receiver/Tight End: Geoff McArthur is the big man for this team and we have discussed his direct impact on the offense. People need to remember that McArthur was not slated as the #1 receiver last year, that distinction was with Jonathan Makonnen. Makonnen broke his foot in the opener but he is healthy now and his addition should make the passing game even better. Freshman Craig Stevens looks like he has unseated senior Garrett Cross for the starting tight end spot, both will be involved in the passing game.

Offensive Line: Chris Murphy and Mark Wilson are gone but the starting line is still in good shape. Depth is what seems to be the biggest issue with California heading into this season. There are lots of rumors floating around about position changes and swaps at this time so this looks to be an issue that is not settled at this time. This is by far the most worrisome point about the 2004 squad.

Defensive Line: Lorenzo Alexander leads what may be the best defensive line in the Pac-10. Alexander is a 300-pound nose tackle who is good against the run and the pass. California is an active defense that prides itself on making the play at the point of attack. Tosh Lupoi is primed for a big year at defensive end.

Linebackers: All of the starters return here as well as the secondary. Wendell Hunter is a feisty middle linebacker that recorded 7 sacks a year ago so we know he can blitz and pick his way through the offensive line. Joe Maningo and Francis Blay-Miezah will be the outside linebackers.

Secondary: Donnie McCleskey leads a secondary that returns all of the starters from 2003. McCleskey is a classified as a rover but his 102 stops from 2003 include some plays he made where he was lined up as a linebacker. McCleskey is a versatile player who could be the most important commodity. Sophomore Daymeion Hughes is an up and coming star in the Pac-10.

2004 Special Teams: Senior David Lonie will replace Tyler Frederickson and handle both punting and placekicking duties. Lonie is a proven talent at punting, but his kicking ability is an unknown commodity. Arrington may be slated as one of the return specialists along with newcomer Thomas DeCoud.

Final Thoughts: The Bears and Rodgers will bring more than enough offense to compete with Pac-10 foes. The only questions are how well Arrington can handle the starting role and how capable the new linemen can be in 2004. But with Tedford running the offense, the offense should be fine. The defense had one year to gain much needed experience. Now the unit will have to step up and perform. If the replacements gel on offense and the defense can get it together, the Bears could cause major headaches in the Pac 10 in 2004.

-- DJ Boyer