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Cal/Stanford preview
By Ken Gimblin and Joe Cronin November 23, 2006 |
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The California Golden Bears (9-2) who needed last week's victory over USC last week will more than likely miss the Rose Bowl and are more than likely headed for the Holiday Bowl. Cal who had a small lead that quickly dissipated, bowed to USC by two touchdowns and reduced their chances for the Rose Bowl. The Bears would have entered the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1959 and Cal needed one of those wins but with USC at 10-1 and USC ranked number three in the BCS standings there is little chance of that. The Trojans who could finish at number two if they can beat Notre Dame and UCLA in the BCS standings and on January 8th the Trojans could play in the national title game against Ohio State which will actually be the biggest game of the year. The Bears only chance now at the Rose Bowl is if they go 10-2 and finish amongst the top 14 in the BCS standings and so that makes a win over Stanford that much more crucial at Memorial Stadium on Saturday December 3rd. It is very likely for that scenario for Cal to back into the Rose Bowl unless the BCS selects another team out of that top 14. A Bears loss to Stanford next week will put the Bears at 9-3 and back in the Holiday Bowl and probably will have to face the loser of the Big 12 Championship game with the favorites on that being Nebraska. Marshawn Lynch the star running back for Cal is considering leaving Cal after this season and is considering entering the NFL draft. Lynch after the last game in USC in a post game interview had hinted towards that endeavor saying, "This year, they got us. Next year will be different. We've got a lot of young players who got a taste, and next year they'll be hungry." said Lynch. Lynch even though he talked about his team mates the sentence above like he wished the team well as he used words like "they'll" and he would usually include himself and say "we'll". Lynch a junior is healthy and had a healthy season is looking at the NFL draft and getting an injury in his senior year would hurt his chance of making it in the NFL. So in the off season if the opportunity presents it self Lynch is game. Lynch has averaged 6.3 yards per carry, carried for 1178 yards, rushed for 188 yards, and has scored nine touchdowns in 11 games. "He's having more fun" said Robert Jordan who is Lynch's cousin, "but he's also just being himself more." Senior defensive tackle Brandon Mebane's defensive prowess has helped the Bears tremendously the senior defensive tackle has blocked on the line while the rest of his team mates take the glory. Mebane who played in his hometown of Los Angeles when facing the Trojans last game made three tackles, a safety, and is getting notice as well from NFL scouts. Joe Cronin and Ken Gimblin cover Cal football and co-host Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento. quote source: sfgate.com |
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