CALIFORNIA BEARS
Every Game Counts for Cal Football in 2008

Redemption was on the minds of the California Golden Bears heading into the season opener last year.

After avenging a thrashing by the Tennessee Vols in 2006 with a convincing win at Memorial Stadium to kick off the 2007 season, the Bears roared to a 5-0 start and came within a few yards of the elusive No. 1 ranking in the country. However, it was not to be, as the Bears' comeback effort vs. Oregon State fell short and the wheels came off their BCS hopes. They limped to a 7-6 finish.

Redemption is once again on the minds of Bears players and fans alike this season as Cal is poised to regain its recent reputation as one of the top threats to the six-year dominance of USC.

The schedule is clearly in the Bears' favor, with seven of the 12 games in Berkeley. The main challenge appears to be back-to-back road games vs. USC and Oregon State; however, a glance at the schedule reveals a very winnable opening eight games heading into Los Angeles in November. Should the Bears indeed start 8-0, it would be the first time they would have exceeded five wins to open the season since 1951.

The Golden Bears will feature a veteran crew that will shift to a 3-4 defense to use their superior depth and experience at the linebacker position, with three-year starters Zack Follett, Anthony Felder and Worrell Williams likely joined by junior Eddie Young as the starting corps. The Bears have excellent depth at linebacker, with sophomore Mike Mohamed, redshirt freshman D.J. Holt, junior Devin Bishop and sophomore Charles Johnson waiting in the wings.

The defensive line will feature veteran bookend ends Rulon Davis, a senior, and Tyson Alualu, a junior, with senior defensive tackle Mika Kane likely getting the starting nod, spelled by speedy, athletic defensive ends Cameron Jordan (sophomore) and redshirt freshman Ernest Owusu, along with sophomore defensive tackle Derrick Hill.

The defensive backfield will be under new leadership, with former Cal defensive backs coach Al Simmons back for a second stint in Berkeley. The veteran Simmons has the defensive back corps playing aggressively in camp and they appear ready to improve the turnover ratio in 2008.

Electric sophomore running back Jahvid Best has returned to full health from last season's hip injury and has been amazing in fall camp. Look for Shane Vereen to get significant carries as well, with Tracy Slocum picking up the backfield slack.

With the departure of DeSean Jackson and Lavelle Hawkins to the pros and Robert Jordan to graduation, the receiving crew is completely rebuilt. Redshirt freshman Mike Calvin, sophomore Jeremy Ross, junior Nyan Boateng and JC transfer Verran Tucker likely will make up the starting rotation, with super freshman Marvin Jones and seniors Sean Young and LaReylle Cunningham in the mix. The increased size of the Bears' receiving corps will open up new offensive opportunities in '08.

The return of All-American center Alex Mack anchors the Bears offensive line, with Mike Tepper, Chet Teofilo and Mitchell Schwartz in the mix at tackle and senior Norris Malele and sophs Richard Fisher and Chris Guarnero likely to get most of the playing time at guard.

Overall, the prospects for the Golden Bears look bright and the opportunity for a new brand of redemption appears well within grasp.

Tickets to see the Golden Bears are available by calling 1-800-GO-BEARS or by visiting CalBears.com.

Jim McGill is a staff writer for the ESPN Bear Insider, an independent website at bearinsider.com that covers Cal athletics.