Week 3 Game Matchup: Cal Bears VS. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Cal Bears (2-0) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-0)
Saturday, September 19, 9:00 AM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: Cal -14.0
Sam’s Take (14 – 4):
I don’t want to jinx the Bears, but I cannot see them losing this game. A couple of weeks before the season started I may have looked at this cross-country match up as a potential repeat of last year’s Maryland game, but after watching Cal so far, I cannot in good conscience pick against them.
Granted, Jeff Tedford’s team has not played on the road yet (particularly in a brand new outdoor stadium), but the Bears are playing excellent football on both sides of the ball, and a noisy environment shouldn’t faze this group. Cal has very high expectations for the season, so I expect a focused and determined effort on Saturday.
Jahvid Best will look to continue his Heisman campaign Saturday, but I am most interested in seeing the continued development of Kevin Riley, who is asserting himself as one of the most reliable QBs in the Pac-10. He has already proven that he can utilize a variety of weapons (Jones, Boateng, Tucker etc.) so all he has to do is continue to make good decisions with the football.
Defensively, the Bears should be fine against an inconsistent Minnesota offense. The Golden Gophers do have some talent, but on paper Cal’s D should dominate the match-up.
I know Cal has a history of inexplicably losing a game that it shouldn’t, but I don’t believe that game is this week.
Prediction: Cal 37 – Minnesota 17
Cal Player to Keep an Eye On: RB Shane Vereen - Jahvid Best’s partner in crime already has five total touchdowns this season (4 rush, 1 rec.) and his versatility should be on display Saturday.
Minnesota Player to Keep an Eye On: LB Lee Campbell – Talented WR Erick Decker will have to play well on offense, but Campbell and the rest of the experienced linebackers must be able to contain the Cal running game in order for the Gophers to have a chance.
Dave’s Take (14 – 4):
If not for last year’s Maryland upset, I’d be a lot more concerned about this game for the Bears. Minnesota is exactly the type of team that will play you without fear and stick to their aggressive game plan no matter who you are; exactly the type of team that could upset you if you aren’t careful.
But the Bears will be careful; at least I have to believe that they will be. There are too many players returning from last year’s team that know the dangers of overlooking an inferior opponent and simply shouldn’t let it happen again.
Also working in favor of the Bears, and I’m sorry to say this Ducks fans, is Oregon’s struggles of late. Next week’s matchup between Cal and Oregon was looking on paper to be a battle between two Pac-10 powers; if Oregon was in top form and had stomped Boise State and Purdue, it would create a serious danger of looking ahead to that one.
With Oregon losing to Boise State and just scraping by Purdue, they don’t look as dangerous as they could have. That isn’t to say that they can’t catch the Bears sleeping next week if they aren’t taken seriously; but it is to say that the Bears shouldn’t be worried about them right now and should be able to keep their focus on the task at hand; going into Minnesota and taking care of business.
I think they’ll do just that. I hope they’ll do just that. A loss here would be catastrophic for the team and the conference. No pressure, huh?
Prediction: Cal 38 – Minnesota 17
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