Golden Nuggets: Pac-12 Coaches Anonymously Discuss the Conference's Programs

Athlon Sports asked coaches to speak anonymously about other teams in the conference. Here's what they said about Cal.

"Last season wasn’t easy for Cal. They had no true home games, playing at a baseball park, while their home stadium was renovated. They managed another winning record under (Jeff) Tedford, but the offense was inconsistent. This year I expect more of the same. A game around .500. That’s sort of what Cal football has become — 5–7 two years ago, 7–6 last year. This year has 7–5 or 6–6 written all over it.

They have some decent talent back. Quarterback Zach Maynard put up some numbers last year, and he gets wide receiver Keenan Allen, who I think is a big-time talent, and tailback Isi Sofele back this fall. Those three should give Cal three of the league’s top offensive skill players. Will they be able to score enough? The defense also has been inconsistent. It had some good moments — limiting Washington State and Oregon State to a TD or less. But it was no match against Oregon, UCLA and Washington. Three starters are back in the secondary while Aaron Tipoti is good on the defensive line.

Cal gets to play in its home stadium again this year, but I think we’ll get a better read on their season in their first two road games when they visit Ohio State and USC in back-to-back weeks. That is about as tough as it will get for any team in the nation next season."

I can't say the comments surprise me. More links after the jump.

Calympics

• Aleksa Saponjic and Serbia took home the bronze medal in men's water polo.
• Alysia Montano finished fifth in the women's 800m. She led early on but her time of 1:57.93 was .4 seconds short of a podium finish.
• Diving coach Todd Mulzet talks about his experiences in London.

Football

• Mike Pawlawski will join Joe Starkey and the Cal radio team as a game analyst. He was great as a commentator on CSN Bay Area and should do well paired up with Starkey.
• Coach Tedford talked about his ballot in the coaches' poll. His 1-2-3 teams were USC, LSU, and Alabama.
• The receivers stood out during day six of practice. With Harris and Allen out due to academics, Maynard had the chance to get familiar with Cedric Dozier, Bryce Treggs, Chris Harper, and Darius Powe.
• Tedford was not happy with the offense during the second practice on Saturday. The offense was a bit better in the latter half of practice, but pass protection was a constant issue.
• CalBears.com describes highlights from Saturday's second practice and gets quotes from several freshmen who experienced their first double-practice day.
• Richard Rodgers sustained an undisclosed injury (some say hand, others say shoulder), but Tedford says the injury is minor.
• What have we learned during the first week of practice? Kline will not see the field unless Maynard gets injured, CJ Anderson will take some carries away from Sofele, the freshman receivers are good, and the O-line (as always) is struggling with depth.
• Keenan Allen was named to the Sports Illustrated All-American second team.
• C.J. Anderson talks about how the Holiday Bowl performance motivated him to make some big changes.