2006 record: 10-3, 7-2 (1st-tie in Pac-10)
2006 bowl: Beat Texas A&M 45-10 in Holiday
2006 final AP/coaches' ranking: 14/14
Coach: Jeff Tedford (43-20, 5 years)
Offensive coordinator: Jim Michalczik (1st year)
Defensive coordinator: Bob Gregory (6th year)
Returning offensive starters: 7
Returning defensive starters: 5
Location: Berkeley, Calif.
Stadium: California Memorial (artificial, 72,516)
Last league title: 2006 (tie)
2007 schedule: [view]
2006 statistics: [view]

Offensive: The Golden Bears have some attractive elements with superb junior receiver DeSean Jackson and senior running back Justin Forsett, who gained 1,674 yards in three years as Marshawn Lynch’s understudy. What California needs more than anything is a quantum leap by junior quarterback Nate Longshore, who has steadily improved. The offensive line features the Pac-10’s best center, junior Alex Mack, and a standout left tackle in senior Mike Gibson.

Defensive: Seven starters must be replaced, putting plenty of pressure on senior defensive tackle Matt Maele, the only holdover up front. The best athletes are in the secondary, where sophomore Syd’Quan Thompson and freshman Darian Hagan are looking good at cornerback. The linebackers are in a state of flux. Junior middle linebacker Worrell Williams returns, but he must replace flexible as coaches seek the best mix-and-match blend of players for the defense. 

Specialists: Jackson returned four, yes. four,  punts for touchdowns last season. He’s the nation’s best — enough said. Senior place-kicker Tom Schneider is in line to become the school’s all-time leading scorer. Senior punter Andrew Larson averaged an impressive 42.6 yards.

Coaching: Jeff Tedford keeps getting mentioned for other jobs, but he now seems entrenched at California. He is often mentioned as the standard for offensive imagination and developing quarterbacks at the college level

Game of the year Nov. 10, vs. USC Ever since California handed the Trojans their only loss of 2003 — in three overtimes, no less — this game has been circled on the schedule. And it continues to serve as a reminder of how far the Golden Bears must travel to reach their BCS bowl ambitions.

Heisman hopfules? Jackson is a dynamic enough talent to get some notice, but can he get the ball enough?

Overview: California has proven itself to be a consistent program over the past five seasons, but it consistently must settle for second place (if that) in the Pac-10. Chasing USC has become exhausting. Now the Golden Bears must hold off the likes of UCLA, Arizona State, Oregon State and Oregon in the league’s upper crust. Without a dominant quarterback or defense, California might need to be satisfied as best of the rest.

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