The Golden Bears have not been to the Rose Bowl in 50 years. With USC's continued perch atop the league standings, there's a good chance for that streak to extend. Then again, Cal does appear to be the most talented team in the league outside the aforementioned Trojans, and they get Southern Cal in Berkeley on Oct. 3. Tedford has churned out excellent quarterbacks at every coaching stop, but since his first two in Berkeley (Kyle Boller and Aaron Rodgers), there has been a dry spell at that position. Unusually, the Cal defense should be a strength, and the team only figures to go as far as a QB will take it. Three are available, including junior Kevin Riley, who started most of 2008. Things are far more settled elsewhere.

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Running back Jahvid Best returns with his national-leading 1,580 yards from last fall, as does Shane Vereen, who also had 715 yards rushing. The receivers are big and fast, and at least 8 guys (including the two backs) return who had at least 17 catches in 2008. At the skill spots, Cal ranks easily above most everyone in the nation - except for the QB hole. The Cal backs gained 5.6 yards per carry (!) in 2008 but the O-line coach went to the Raiders, and stud center Alex Mack was the first-round Cleveland draft choice. Solid if not spectacular defensive coordinator Bob Gregory changed to a 3-4 defense last fall, with mostly pleasant results. The two defensive ends are monsters and the secondary, which intercepted 24 passes last year, could be the best in America. The linebackers are the lone question, but there is youthful talent ready to step in.

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