There is something immensely satisfying about following Cal rugby. Maybe it's the fact that we absolutely dominate our Pac-12 brethren who sometimes give us trouble in other sports. Maybe it's the fact that we've outscored opponents 650-23 so far this year. With a major match looming on the horizon, however, I cannot help but be somewhat concerned about the team. The Bears only beat ASU by 52 on Sunday and, most disappointingly, yielded their second try of the year. Hopefully the Bears get these issues sorted out by next weekend.

"Our performance was good at times over the weekend, but overall uneven," head coach Jack Clark said. "I think we exit this road trip with a much better understanding of what we need to do in order to reach our potential."
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Next up for Cal is the latest chapter in the 91-year rivalry with the University of British Columbia at the opener of the "World Cup" series on Saturday, Feb. 18, on Treasure Island.

Beginning in 1921 with a trophy to the winner from the Vancouver World newspaper, the "World Cup" has seen the Bears win 12 of the past 15 series against UBC, including a current streak of five straight in the two-match, home-and-away series.

A westbound traffic closure on the Bay Bridge scheduled for Feb. 18 will force drivers from the East Bay to take the Richmond or San Mateo bridges across the Bay and approach Treasure Island from San Francisco. The Route 108 bus from San Francisco's Caltrans station near the Embarcadero is another option, with fans able to access it from either side of the Bay by taking BART to the Embarcadero.

After the jump Cal drops slightly in the latest bracketology and six Bears receive NFL Combine invitations.

Football

• Cal sits at seventh in Ted Miller's post-signing day power rankings.
• The Pac-12 is sending 45 players to the NFL Combine. Cal players include Bryan Anger, Sean Cattouse, Trevor Guyton, Marvin Jones, Mychal Kendricks, and Mitchell Schwartz.

Basketball

• Cal fell back to a 10-seed in the latest round of bracketology. The Bears would open the tournament against Virginia in Albuquerque. Should they win, they would most likely face Baylor. Other Pac-12 teams include Washington (11) and Arizona, who is among the last four in. Colorado and Stanford are among the next four out (that is, after the first four out).
• Washington leapfrogs Cal as the Pac-12's best team in ESPN's Pac-12 power rankings. ESPN says Cal has hit its ceiling while UW may continue to improve down the stretch.
• Allen Crabbe and Harper Kamp returned to practice on Monday.
• Cal sits at 2nd in Wilner's Bay Area power rankings. 22-2 Saint Mary's sits atop the rankings.
• CalBears.com has video from the men's team's weekly press conference.
• A very deserving Brittany Boyd won the Muscle Milk Student Athlete of the Week award.

Crew

• Heather Hargreaves posts a blog entry on CalBears.com about the singles regatta practice (yes, she's talking 'bout practice).

Gymnastics

• This Saturday the men's team will hold an event to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Anyone is free to attend, but a ticket will set you back $75.
• The women's team defeated UC Davis 193.275-190.625.

Baseball

• Cal Baseball is holding a fan fest on Saturday starting at 11am. Cal will also hold a scrimmage at 1pm.

Softball

• Valerie Arioto will make her much-hyped return this month. The first team All-America selection missed all of last season after breaking her leg during the second practice of the season.

Water Polo

• The second-ranked Bears lost 10-5 to USC. Why must USC be such a thorn in the sides of our water polo teams?
  
• Cal topped Hawaii 8-4.