Notes and Quotes
BEST ATTRIBUTE: California coach Jeff Tedford usually has the first-round type of quarterback under center. That has not been the case, but the Bears haven’t needed him because of two of tailbacks as good as any in the Pac-10. Marshawn Lynch is 11th nationally at 117 yards per game, while Justin Forsett averages 87 yards. California’s linebackers are a force, with Donnie McCleskey, Desmond Bishop and Mickey Pimental making big plays all season.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: The Bears cannot turn the ball over and expect to win. California suffered from turnovers all season, ranking 98th nationally in turnover margin with a minus .73. Cal threw 17 interceptions, and picked off only 13. The Bears also recovered only 10 of their 22 fumbles, while recovering only six made by their opponents.
GAME OF THE YEAR: California never could recover from a 47-40 loss to UCLA on Oct. 18. The Bears not only blew a comfortable second-half lead, they also lost their momentum and dropped three of their next four games. It was the lone game of the season the Cal defense had no answers down the stretch.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: California CB Daymeion Hughes vs. BYU quarterback John Beck — The Bears’ passing efficiency defense is ranked 21st nationally. It will be up to corners like Hughes to stay close enough to the five-receiver sets BYU likes to use because Beck is seventh nationally in total offense, averaging 307 yards per game.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Really, if you can keep a (spread) team to three touchdowns, you’re doing pretty well.” — California defensive coordinator Bob Gregory said when talking about BYU’s offense.
