Cal vs. Tennessee Matchups
California Offense vs. Tennessee Defense
Expect Cal to attack the perimeter of Tennessee's run defense for three reasons.
The first is the personnel in the backfield.
Running back Marshawn Lynch and backup Justin Forsett have the burst to turn the corner quickly and they show breakaway speed once in the open field.
Second, the strength of the Tennessee run defense is in the middle.
Right defensive tackle Justin Harrell dominates at times and left defensive tackle Matt McGlothlin complements him well.
They clog up the middle, effectively forcing backs to bounce outside after starting inside, and that gives the linebackers more time to get to the ball carrier.
The third reason is the inexperience of the Volunteers' linebacker corps, which is breaking in three new starters from a year ago.
There is an excellent chance the new starters will get caught out of position, take a poor pursuit angle and miss a tackle trying to deliver the big hit rather than wrapping up on contact.
That will open the door for the Cal backs to break off some long runs.
Though the Golden Bears' ground game should be one of the most productive in the nation, there are concerns about the passing game.
Head coach Jeff Tedford named Nate Longshore, who won a tough competition with Joe Ayoob, the starting quarterback just this week.
Longshore possesses excellent arm strength and size but he is still relatively inexperienced.
Making matters far worse, he faces a Tennessee secondary that should excel in coverage and he does so on the road.
The good news for Cal fans is the depth and talent of the receiving corps.
New offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar will take advantage of that depth by spreading the field, which creates quality single-coverage matchups on the outside.
If Longshore can control his emotions, stay poised and take what the defense gives him, the Golden Bears should be able to move the ball.
Tennessee Offense vs. California Defense
Running back Arian Foster reads his blocks well and he runs hard, but he lacks elite speed and elusiveness.
That's reason for concern because Cal's front seven is outstanding.
The interior defensive line does an excellent job of clogging up the middle and middle linebacker Desmond Bishop is relentless in pursuit.
In addition, the linebackers are sound open-field tacklers who read their keys well and take the shortest path to the ball carrier.
They will get to Foster quickly.
As if that's not enough to worry the Volunteers' fans, Tennessee needs its offensive line to play with more of a mean streak than it did last year.
If it doesn't, the Volunteers' offense will quickly become a one-dimensional passing attack and they can't afford to have that happen.
Perhaps the most frightening aspect of this matchup for Tennessee is the potential for the Golden Bears to slow Foster down without moving eight men into the box.
That means defensive coordinator Bob Gregory can consistently drop seven men into coverage, take away the big play and force the Volunteers to sustain long scoring drives.
Though the hope is quarterback Erik Ainge shows considerable improvement this year, he is inconsistent and dropping seven men into coverage will force him to throw into tighter spaces.
Another reason Gregory should feel comfortable staying conservative is Cal should be able to get to Ainge without blitzing.
Right defensive tackle Brandon Mebane possesses an explosive first step and above-average closing speed.
If Tennessee doesn't double-team him, he's capable of wreaking havoc in the middle.
The problem is double-teaming him will free up ends Abu Ma'afala and Nu'u Tafisi.
It's also worth noting that Tennessee's receivers dropped far too many passes last year.
This is a unit with talented athletes, including Robert Meachem, Jayson Swain and Bret Smith, but they haven't met expectations thus far.
In order to get Ainge off to a fast start this season, the Vols' receivers must elevate their level of play.
Special Teams
Kicker Tom Schneider possesses adequate range but he is inconsistent at best and Cal doesn't want to get into a position where it needs a late field goal from him.
Junior college transfer punter Andrew Larson's numbers were impressive last year so there's reason to believe he'll have a strong first season with the Golden Bears.
Lynch is expected to return kickoffs and he is always a threat to go the distance.
Punt returner DeSean Jackson gives Cal yet another big-play threat so it's critical that Tennessee's cover units play with discipline and tackle well.
Volunteers kicker James Wilhoit converted on 14 of 19 field goal attempts last season, including 11 of 12 inside 40 yards, but he doesn't show ideal range on field goal attempts or kickoffs.
Though punter Britton Colquitt understandably experienced some growing pains during his freshman season, he steadily progressed and he has the natural ability to develop into one of the best in the nation.
It's worth noting that his cousin, brother and father were the three best punters ever to play at Tennessee.
Lucas Taylor will return kickoffs and Jonathan Hefney is expected to return punts.
Both possess good quickness and elusiveness. However, neither is considered an elite return man at this point.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Cal RB Marshawn Lynch vs. Tennessee MLB Marvin Mitchell
2. Tennessee WR Jayson Swain vs. Cal CB Randy Bundy
3. Tennessee LG David Ligon vs. Cal DT Brandon Mebane
Scouts' Edge
In his first start since breaking his leg in the season opener last year, QB Longshore immediately gets thrown into the fire in a hostile environment against a strong Tennessee secondary.
While Longshore's rust and inconsistency could be difficult to overcome, the Golden Bears' athletic advantage will eventually decide the outcome.
Lynch and Forsett will be productive working against a Volunteers front seven that lacks experience.
That will set up the play-action package and keep Cal out of downs with pass-heavy tendencies.
That being said, it's the Golden Bears' defense that will win this game for them.
The front seven will effectively slow Foster down and force Ainge to throw downfield.
Once that happens the front four will force Ainge to hurry his decisions and throw into tight coverage.
That's a recipe for disaster for the Volunteers.
Prediction: Cal 24, Tennessee 20
California Offense vs. Tennessee Defense
Expect Cal to attack the perimeter of Tennessee's run defense for three reasons.
The first is the personnel in the backfield.
Running back Marshawn Lynch and backup Justin Forsett have the burst to turn the corner quickly and they show breakaway speed once in the open field.
Second, the strength of the Tennessee run defense is in the middle.
Right defensive tackle Justin Harrell dominates at times and left defensive tackle Matt McGlothlin complements him well.
They clog up the middle, effectively forcing backs to bounce outside after starting inside, and that gives the linebackers more time to get to the ball carrier.
The third reason is the inexperience of the Volunteers' linebacker corps, which is breaking in three new starters from a year ago.
There is an excellent chance the new starters will get caught out of position, take a poor pursuit angle and miss a tackle trying to deliver the big hit rather than wrapping up on contact.
That will open the door for the Cal backs to break off some long runs.
Though the Golden Bears' ground game should be one of the most productive in the nation, there are concerns about the passing game.
Head coach Jeff Tedford named Nate Longshore, who won a tough competition with Joe Ayoob, the starting quarterback just this week.
Longshore possesses excellent arm strength and size but he is still relatively inexperienced.
Making matters far worse, he faces a Tennessee secondary that should excel in coverage and he does so on the road.
The good news for Cal fans is the depth and talent of the receiving corps.
New offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar will take advantage of that depth by spreading the field, which creates quality single-coverage matchups on the outside.
If Longshore can control his emotions, stay poised and take what the defense gives him, the Golden Bears should be able to move the ball.
Tennessee Offense vs. California Defense
Running back Arian Foster reads his blocks well and he runs hard, but he lacks elite speed and elusiveness.
That's reason for concern because Cal's front seven is outstanding.
The interior defensive line does an excellent job of clogging up the middle and middle linebacker Desmond Bishop is relentless in pursuit.
In addition, the linebackers are sound open-field tacklers who read their keys well and take the shortest path to the ball carrier.
They will get to Foster quickly.
As if that's not enough to worry the Volunteers' fans, Tennessee needs its offensive line to play with more of a mean streak than it did last year.
If it doesn't, the Volunteers' offense will quickly become a one-dimensional passing attack and they can't afford to have that happen.
Perhaps the most frightening aspect of this matchup for Tennessee is the potential for the Golden Bears to slow Foster down without moving eight men into the box.
That means defensive coordinator Bob Gregory can consistently drop seven men into coverage, take away the big play and force the Volunteers to sustain long scoring drives.
Though the hope is quarterback Erik Ainge shows considerable improvement this year, he is inconsistent and dropping seven men into coverage will force him to throw into tighter spaces.
Another reason Gregory should feel comfortable staying conservative is Cal should be able to get to Ainge without blitzing.
Right defensive tackle Brandon Mebane possesses an explosive first step and above-average closing speed.
If Tennessee doesn't double-team him, he's capable of wreaking havoc in the middle.
The problem is double-teaming him will free up ends Abu Ma'afala and Nu'u Tafisi.
It's also worth noting that Tennessee's receivers dropped far too many passes last year.
This is a unit with talented athletes, including Robert Meachem, Jayson Swain and Bret Smith, but they haven't met expectations thus far.
In order to get Ainge off to a fast start this season, the Vols' receivers must elevate their level of play.
Special Teams
Kicker Tom Schneider possesses adequate range but he is inconsistent at best and Cal doesn't want to get into a position where it needs a late field goal from him.
Junior college transfer punter Andrew Larson's numbers were impressive last year so there's reason to believe he'll have a strong first season with the Golden Bears.
Lynch is expected to return kickoffs and he is always a threat to go the distance.
Punt returner DeSean Jackson gives Cal yet another big-play threat so it's critical that Tennessee's cover units play with discipline and tackle well.
Volunteers kicker James Wilhoit converted on 14 of 19 field goal attempts last season, including 11 of 12 inside 40 yards, but he doesn't show ideal range on field goal attempts or kickoffs.
Though punter Britton Colquitt understandably experienced some growing pains during his freshman season, he steadily progressed and he has the natural ability to develop into one of the best in the nation.
It's worth noting that his cousin, brother and father were the three best punters ever to play at Tennessee.
Lucas Taylor will return kickoffs and Jonathan Hefney is expected to return punts.
Both possess good quickness and elusiveness. However, neither is considered an elite return man at this point.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Cal RB Marshawn Lynch vs. Tennessee MLB Marvin Mitchell
2. Tennessee WR Jayson Swain vs. Cal CB Randy Bundy
3. Tennessee LG David Ligon vs. Cal DT Brandon Mebane
Scouts' Edge
In his first start since breaking his leg in the season opener last year, QB Longshore immediately gets thrown into the fire in a hostile environment against a strong Tennessee secondary.
While Longshore's rust and inconsistency could be difficult to overcome, the Golden Bears' athletic advantage will eventually decide the outcome.
Lynch and Forsett will be productive working against a Volunteers front seven that lacks experience.
That will set up the play-action package and keep Cal out of downs with pass-heavy tendencies.
That being said, it's the Golden Bears' defense that will win this game for them.
The front seven will effectively slow Foster down and force Ainge to throw downfield.
Once that happens the front four will force Ainge to hurry his decisions and throw into tight coverage.
That's a recipe for disaster for the Volunteers.
Prediction: Cal 24, Tennessee 20
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