Golden Nuggets: Will Cal Football Experience a Great Leap Forward This Offseason?

by Berkelium97 on Jan 13, 2012 11:00 AM PST in Golden Nuggets

While we may not all be satisfied with the 7-6 record this year, is it unreasonable to expect a big improvement next year (~9 wins)? Let's take a look back and a look forward.

Ted Miller gives Cal its final report card of the season. While the Bears generally exceeded preseason expectations, it is tough not to feel some disappointment at the end of the year.

Overall:

We projected Cal ninth in the Pac-12 preseason power rankings, so a sixth-place finish means the Bears slightly exceeded our expectations. And, heading into the bowl season having won three of four -- the lone loss being a tight one against rival Stanford -- it seemed the Bears had pulled things together for a nice late-season surge. Then the Holiday Bowl happened, when the Bears got whipped by a mediocre Texas team 21-10, mostly because it lost the turnover battle 5-0. Just when it seemed like Cal had found its rhythm, it reminded everyone of its chronic inconsistency of the past few seasons. A win over Texas might have generated some momentum for a preseason top-25 ranking. Now that's not going to happen. The 2011 season produced reasons for hope in 2012. But it didn't do enough to change the general perception that coach Jeff Tedford will be on the hot seat in 2012.

Grade: C

Usually our voice of realism/pessimism for the football team, Jon Wilner expects the Bears to make an improvement next year. In fact, Wilner is optimistic enough to put the Bears in his preseason top-25.

23. Cal: Admittedly, I haven’t scrutinized the projected Pac-12 depth charts, but … If Zach Maynard continues to develop and the young defensive linemen live up to their billing, the Bears could be the third-best team in the Pac-12. (Utah, Stanford and Washington may have something to say about that.)

After the jump Lupoi rejects an offer from UW, both basketball teams beat Colorado, and Faraudo says Maynard will be academically eligible this year.

Football

The Bears sit at 8th in ESPN's 2012 recruiting rankings.
CBS ranked the Holiday Bowl as the 29th-best (out of 35) bowl game this season. Was it really that bad of a game?
Ted Miller has his top-10 moments from the Pac-12 season. Cal was not mentioned in any, but it's an interesting list nonetheless.
Uncle Ted posted the best and worst from the Pac-12 bowl games. Cal tied with UCLA for worst offensive performance, Mychal Kendricks had the best individual defensive performance, and the Bears had the best holiday spirit with 5 gifts for the Texas defense.
Giorgio Tavecchio, Trevor Guyton, Mychal Kendricks, and Marc Anthony were named to Ted Miller's All-Bowl team.
Faraudo reports that Maynard will be eligible next season.
Tosh Lupoi turned down an offer to join UW. Huskies beat writer Bob Condotta has more details on UW's interest in Lupoi.
Arik Armstead will announce on Monday. Because classes at Cal start on Tuesday, he must make a quick decision if he's joining the Bears.
Bryan Anger will play in the East-West Shrine Game.
Cal Poly kicker James Langford will transfer to Cal.

Basketball

Faraudo's game thread recaps the Bears' 57-50 win over Colorado. It was an ugly game for both teams, but Cal's offense was a little less ugly in the second half.
Harper Kamp scored 14 in one of his better offensive games of the season.
At the post-game press conference Monty said the team was lucky to win with an offensive performance like that.
CalBears.com has a handful of photos from the game.
Brandon Smith returned to practice on Tuesday.
The women's team outscored Colorado by 25 points in the final 12 minutes to earn a 68-55 victory.
Lindsay Gottlieb made her disappointment known at halftime and was pleased with how the team responded on offense and defense in the second half.

Swimming

Caitlyn Leverenz was honored as the Pac-12 Swimmer of the Month.

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Comments

Aah! Verdana!

"The Bear will not quit, the Bear will not die." -Joe Kapp

by Whohah on Jan 13, 2012 11:28 AM PST reply actions

ESPN's formatting wackiness strikes again!

At least the background color wasn’t white this time.

"Some people watch adult videos on their computer - I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That’s what gets me going."- Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions head coach
California Golden Blogs

by Berkelium97 on Jan 13, 2012 11:53 AM PST up reply actions

Only a true communist

would use the term “Great Leap Forward.” :)

by freshfunk on Jan 13, 2012 11:29 AM PST reply actions

If the Bears have another 7-5 season after putting all that time, money, and effort into the SAHPC and Memorial renovations, well, let’s just say it won’t be the first time in history than a ton of money was invested for no gain in productivity…

by Berkelium97 on Jan 13, 2012 11:56 AM PST up reply actions

When you're in free fall....

money spent on a cushion to keep you from dying and only breaking most of your bones is not money wasted if you get to eventually walk again. Just sayin.

by CalBeer on Jan 13, 2012 12:02 PM PST up reply actions

Yup...

There are teams that did worse last year, and years past, with better facilities. I don’t think it’s reasonable to only invest in Facilities for a sports program (not including the stadium) once every fifty years or whatever.

by fuzzywuzzy on Jan 13, 2012 12:41 PM PST up reply actions

I don’t disagree. The facilities were a much-needed investment and I don’t doubt they will pay dividends for decades down the road. With a second-consecutive top-15 class, I’m sure we will reap the rewards soon.

Though it is certainly possible that things (for inexplicable reasons) don’t pan out in the next couple years, in which case the allusion would be apt.

by Berkelium97 on Jan 13, 2012 12:47 PM PST up reply actions

This year certainly had some disappointments but it did surpass my expectations. With questions at QB, RB and defense I think that we did better than I thought we would. I certainly have realistic expectations for an 8-9 win season in 2012. I’m very curious to see how the underclassmen develop. There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic. Cautiously that is…

NYCGOBEARS

by NYCGOBEARS on Jan 13, 2012 12:41 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions

I'm so glad Tosh is staying

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jan 13, 2012 1:02 PM PST reply actions

seriously.

by j.lee on Jan 13, 2012 1:14 PM PST up reply actions

He's underpaid.

"I spent 90 percent of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted!"

by JaviLouis on Jan 13, 2012 3:07 PM PST up reply actions

he deserves a huge bonus after the national signing day

by JustBear on Jan 13, 2012 3:31 PM PST up reply actions

He makes plenty.

Tedford knows Tosh’s importance. So do the donors. Public salary is not his full salary.

by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 13, 2012 3:33 PM PST up reply actions

that’s good

by JustBear on Jan 13, 2012 3:34 PM PST up reply actions

say what? where is the rest allotted?

no bear, no care

by EchoOfSilence on Jan 13, 2012 3:51 PM PST up reply actions

Any additional compensation via donors does not need to be publicly disclosed.

by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 13, 2012 4:05 PM PST up reply actions

Seriously?

KEEP CALM
AND
Z ON

by Spazzy Mcgee on Jan 13, 2012 4:15 PM PST up reply actions

Absolutely. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was substantially more.

by paleodan on Jan 13, 2012 4:43 PM PST up reply actions

Hands off Tosh's Dosh!

Lawrence Ross

by alpha1906 on Jan 13, 2012 4:36 PM PST up reply actions

We're ranked in a poll already?!?!?

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM. juju is pissed

by Sean Thompson on Jan 13, 2012 1:12 PM PST reply actions

Relax. It’s not a “real” poll . . . whatever that is.

CGB: The Strangest Blog

by CalBear81 on Jan 13, 2012 2:39 PM PST up reply actions

He’s only pissed because he’s losing his power over us and will soon be completely irrelevant.

"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded

by atomsareenough on Jan 13, 2012 4:04 PM PST up reply actions

Let's hope it turns out better than the last one!

KEEP CALM
AND
Z ON

by Spazzy Mcgee on Jan 13, 2012 1:17 PM PST reply actions

Surprised no talk here about the recent AA news

by phillaak23 on Jan 13, 2012 2:40 PM PST reply actions

Did something newsworthy happen in the last few hours?

by Berkelium97 on Jan 13, 2012 2:52 PM PST up reply actions

is it newsworthy? – yes

is it a solid commitment? – no

by phillaak23 on Jan 13, 2012 2:56 PM PST up reply actions

would you like to be not so vague?

by CalBeer on Jan 13, 2012 2:57 PM PST up reply actions

His name is showing up in the CalNet directory.

Whether that means anything is still to be determined.

"The Bear will not quit, the Bear will not die." -Joe Kapp

by Whohah on Jan 13, 2012 3:14 PM PST up reply actions

https://calnet.berkeley.edu/directory/details.pl?uid=979339

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jan 13, 2012 3:16 PM PST up reply actions

Here's a SBN post indicating why that might not matter at all:

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2012/1/13/2705748/arik-armstead-commits-cal-auburn-enrolled

"The Bear will not quit, the Bear will not die." -Joe Kapp

by Whohah on Jan 13, 2012 3:18 PM PST up reply actions

just saw this article...

It is common for a recruit to be listed in a school’s directory without ever enrolling in the school. Frequently, this happens when a school makes a potential schedule for a prospective student athlete.

In any case, it is not the act of enrolling that binds a recruit to a school, but rather the act of attending the first class

by C98 on Jan 13, 2012 3:18 PM PST up reply actions

Yes

Nothing has changed. He’ll announce after this weekend.

by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 13, 2012 3:33 PM PST up reply actions

c’mon guys. the news is out all over the place. not hard to find. many don’t think it should be made public yet, so I’m trying to be vague. but if you look, you will find the news.

by phillaak23 on Jan 13, 2012 3:04 PM PST reply actions

Apparently UW is throwing a lot of money at Tosh.

Some rumors are that it will take about $1mil to lure him away… and that UW can and wants to spend that much.

YIKES

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jan 13, 2012 3:17 PM PST reply actions

They’re also bringing in Nick Saban as d-coordinator and Chip Kelly as o-coordinator. Doom for everyone!

by Missing Barry on Jan 13, 2012 3:23 PM PST up reply actions

Scary.

by hunger on Jan 13, 2012 3:30 PM PST up reply actions

Wouldn’t worry about it.

by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 13, 2012 3:31 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah really – offering a 7 digits salary for a position coach? If that doesn’t scream “made up internet rumor” to people, I dunno what to say. Is the new d-coordinator even making that?

by Missing Barry on Jan 13, 2012 3:38 PM PST up reply actions

Just sounds like Sark trying to pressure Cal to pay Tosh more money.

by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 13, 2012 3:45 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks, Sark!

no bear, no care

by EchoOfSilence on Jan 13, 2012 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

that's good

Tosh forever Golden

by JustBear on Jan 13, 2012 4:43 PM PST up reply actions

More like Wilcox

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jan 13, 2012 7:51 PM PST up reply actions

Also, he’s trying to undermine the recruiting class by putting these rumors out there. Classic negative recruiting move.

by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 13, 2012 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

He seems like a pretty big douchebag.

by Missing Barry on Jan 13, 2012 4:18 PM PST up reply actions

What a coincidence! I heard the Raiders are offering Sark $10 million to be their new head coach.

by minesweeper on Jan 13, 2012 4:23 PM PST up reply actions

I'm starting to dislike Washington...

Like I used to dislike them…

Lawrence Ross

by alpha1906 on Jan 13, 2012 4:37 PM PST up reply actions

Let's avoid the Christmas Rush...

and start hating them now.

"We do not seek men who will bravely lie down to die, but men who will fight valiantly to live."
"Winning is not everything. It is far better to play the game squarely and lose than to win at the sacrifice of an ideal."

-- Andrew Latham Smith

by FiatSlug on Jan 13, 2012 4:42 PM PST up reply actions

I used to feel bad for UW. And then I moved to Seattle

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jan 13, 2012 7:50 PM PST up reply actions

Go get a latte . . .

by HuskyInExile on Jan 14, 2012 12:47 AM PST up reply actions

I'm drinking one now

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jan 14, 2012 8:22 AM PST up reply actions

Go's with a 'co-DC' title . . .

works for us!

by HuskyInExile on Jan 14, 2012 12:46 AM PST up reply actions

Tosh is good, Tosh is great!

How much longer will he stay at Cal? Should he eventually replace Clancy and become our DC? Sure the man deserves every cent he makes for both his ability to recruit and coach up the DL but beyond money don’t you think he wants a promotion? I surely hope he gets his chance as a DC at Cal rather than somewhere else.

Clancy has done a good job but I haven’t heard anything about an extension for him. Any chance that he is let go and Tosh is promoted after his contract is up?

by SDBear on Jan 13, 2012 4:52 PM PST via mobile reply actions

I would be shocked if Clancy isn't offered an extension before his current contract is up

Putting together the Pac-12’s best total defense two years in a row is probably grounds for an extension.

by Berkelium97 on Jan 13, 2012 5:08 PM PST up reply actions

Clancy is an NFL guy

I can see him going back to the NFL if he continues to have success at Cal and offered a DC position.
His defense is only going to get better with great load of talent from recent recruiting classes.

When he leaves, Tosh could be considered for that position. I wouldn’t want to boot out Clancy for Tosh just yet. Tosh is great, but his DC abilities are unknown, and players love Clancy’s aggressive defense.

by JustBear on Jan 13, 2012 5:26 PM PST up reply actions

Meh, Clancy won’t go unless it’s a team that’s a Super Bowl contender. He’s most likely having a ton of fun with the challenge of running a college defense against the crazy offenses he’s bound to face.

by mrjpark on Jan 13, 2012 11:26 PM PST up reply actions

I would be very surprised if they don’t view Tosh as the DC of the future. He’s still a young coach, though, so it’s not necessarily the worst thing if it doesn’t happen immediately.

by Missing Barry on Jan 13, 2012 5:18 PM PST up reply actions

"The Bear will not quit, the Bear will not die." -Joe Kapp

by Whohah on Jan 14, 2012 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

Ryan (Bay Area):I’m a little surprised the Rose Bowl win didnt sway some recruits towards Oregon. Who are some big name recruits Oregon has a good chance at signing by Feb 1?

Ted Miller (3:49 PM):So after winning 3 consecutive Pac-12 titles and a Rose Bowl, you’re worried about recruiting rankings? Don’t. Chip will get his guys. How many teams with 60,000-seat stadiums rank in the top-10 of recruiting rankings anyway? It’s not something that is likely to happen consistently. But Oregon has recruited well of late. Just look at the record.

Hi Ted, we’re at #8…why don’t you love us????

"Our hearts shall sing and our voices ring for the dear old Blue and Gold!"

by Joe Bandsmen on Jan 14, 2012 2:45 PM PST reply actions

D*mn good question! We Huskies aren't doubting Chip Kelly's abilities . . .

We’ve seen it up close and personal

by HuskyInExile on Jan 14, 2012 10:57 PM PST up reply actions

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