Golden Nuggets: Mike Riley and the Oregon State Beavers Prepare for the Cal Defense

The usual Cal sources don't have today's media luncheon transcripts, but thankfully we have spies who know what Oregon State coach Mike Riley said at his press conference today.  He's preparing for good Cal and he's preparing for a defensive struggle.

Opening Statement ...
"It's good to get back into the game week. We practiced last week and I think it was a beneficial time for our team. It's a little more comfortable as far as not having a game right on us, and we had a chance to get some guys a little bit healthier. When we came back Sunday night, everybody was feeling better. Markus Wheaton ran in practice and Alex Linnenkohl and Grant Johnson were still a bit slow but maybe by today they'll be better. Now we're getting ready for another tough Pac-10 game. Cal obviously had a great win last week against Arizona State. They looked good in all phases of the game; special teams were dominant - they blocked a punt. Offensively they moved the ball and defensively they were all over them and we know Arizona State well because we already played them so they beat a very good team convincingly. We have our hands full in another typical Pac-10 conference game."

On Oregon State's offense versus California's defense ...
"It's another tough matchup for us up front. Our guys are going to have to play very physical, and they're going to have to be very sharp. Cal runs out of a three-man front scheme, but they'll have all different sorts of blitzes coming off that. They've really been disruptive to people. As good of an offense as Arizona is, they were very disruptive to them. That's a game I've paid attention to because I have a lot of respect for what Arizona does offensively, and they had a hard time moving the ball consistently. It's going to be a big challenge for our offensive front and our tight ends, and it's going to be very important that we get the running game going and give us a chance to settle them down a little bit so that we can protect and throw the football. That's normally our storyline, but it's a focal match-up this week."

After the jump Tedford headbutts Jarred Price (wait, what?), Cal is projected to play in the Sun Bowl, Oregon State prepares for Cal, and the final basketball television schedule is released.

Football

• For those wondering why Tedford had a fresh-looking cut on the bridge of his nose during the ASU game, Tedford said he got a little too fired up pregame and somehow (?) ended up head-butting Jarred Price.  You might as well stop reading now.  Nothing in the rest of this post is going to top that story.
• A Cal fan who poured her drink on a belligerent  Phillies fan at Saturday's game has become a local hero.
  
• Keenan Allen was named the Pac-10 special teams player of the week after returning two kicks for 100 yards.  He would have had a touchdown on one if not for an illegal block in the back penalty.
• Cal jumped up to 5th in Ted Miller's Pac-10 Power Rankings.
• Ted Miller's Pac-10 Bowl Projections anticipate an appearance by Cal in the Sun Bowl.
• Cal earned a solid A from Wilner.  From playcalling to defense to the Galas/MSG, there was a lot to like in that performance.  Cal had better replicate last weekend's performance if it hopes to escape Corvallis with a win.
• Mansion has been putting in a lot of work to pass Sweeney and he was finally rewarded with a jump in the depth chart.  Mansion says the game is finally starting to slow down for him and his comfort level is growing.
• Oregon State hopes to win the next three games before a tough trio of games against USC, Stanford, and Oregon.
• Not knowing which Cal team will come into town Saturday, Mike Riley is playing it safe and preparing for good Cal.