#15 Tennessee Volunteers vs. #12 California Golden Bears

[Hobbes2d]

Tennessee Key Players:

QB Erik Ainge 67 %, 2989 yards, 19 TD 9 INT's 151.95 Rating last year.

RB Arian Foster 91 car 322 yards 3.5 avg 5 TD

RB Mario Hardesty 107 car 384 yards 3.8 avg 4 TD

TE Chris Brown 31 rec 239 yards 7.7 avg 1 TD

S Jonathan Hafney

LB Jerod Mayo

LB Rico McCoy


Cal Key Players:

QB Nate Longshore 60.2 % 3021 yards 24 TD 13 INT 141.63 Rating

RB Justin Forsett 119 car 626 yards 5.3 avg 4 TD

WR DeSean Jackson 59 rec 1060 yards 18.0 avg 9 TD, 20.4 avg on PR, 4 TD.

WR Robert Jordan 46 rec 571 yards 12.4 avg 4 TD

WR LaVelle Hawkins 46 rec 705 yards 15.3 avg 5 TD

LB Zack Follett

S Thomas DeCloud




Who do you got? Hopefully will be the best game this weekend, as its being hyped up to be. :pray:

[49Faithful]

Ya last years lost kinda ruined our season. Hopefully we can get a good start this year.

[Hobbes2d]

Ya last years lost kinda ruined our season. Hopefully we can get a good start this year.

They rebounded nicely, didn't expect them to win that game last year. Still unsure bout this Saturday. Longshore is NOT a big game QB whatsoever. Hopefully he has improved his nerves somehow. Granted he had virtually no experience last year. He had 1 QTR of experience and his first game is against Tennessee at Neyland lol.

[CAG21]

I like Cal. They should have the best offense in the pac-10, with USC the only other team having a case. They have perhaps the top ST unit in college football. True they lost a lot on defense, but this is perhaps the most athletic and deep defense Jeff Tedford has ever had to work with after 5 solid years of recruiting(his words).

From what I have read I think a lot of Longshore's late season fade last year was due to injury. It seemed in the bowl game versus Texas A&M after 3 weeks off he was back to the Longshore of September and October. I don't worry much about him. I am very confident he will perform Saturday, everything I have read so far indicates he is ready for the Vols this time around. He has lost 15 pounds and is in the best shape he has ever been in, and he knows the offense so well Tedford is even giving him the ability to make audibles at the LOS.

What does concern me however is the run defense. A lot of new faces on the D-line especially. Malele was bad last year, they obviously lose Mebane, Derek Hill has been a disappointment. They're depening a lot on underclassmen, many of which have very little game experience. These guys are going to be thrown in the fire game 1 versus a top 20 opponent, how they play will dictate whether Cal wins Saturday or not.

When all is said and done I do think Cal pulls it out, mainly because the game is at home and Cal plays great at Memorial stadium but it's hard to be too confident after what happened last year.

^ Good analysis, I'd give you some rep but I have to spread some around first.

The only thing I have to add is that Matt Malele lost a bunch of weight this offseason, and has looked really good in practices...hopefully that translates to the field.

[yayareafanatic]

This Saturday is going to be rocking at Memorial. By all accounts the teams is ready this year and shouldn't be shell-shocked last year playing in front of 108,000 people. Tedford has been trying to focus the players on themselves and not to think of the other team.

On defense everyone will have their eyes on Syd'Quan Thompson who got burned by Robert Meacham last year. However, as rcs15 has pointed out, there are many more holes that Cal will need to fill on the defensive side. I have confidence that Forsett will step up this year and am excited to see if the freshman Javid Best has had a good enough camp to get into the game. He along with DeSean can really open up the offense with their speed.

Last year Tennessee was just more physical and intimidating, knocking out starting TE Craig Stevens on the kickoff. Hopefully Cal is more ready for this game than last year and comes out with a lot more energy. Tennessee is once again ranked lower, so the Bears will have to counteract their intensity to prove the AP polls wrong and come out and feed off the home crowd.

It's going to be an intense first half. Defense will be the key and whoever controls the clock, will win the game.

My homer prediction: 28-24, with Cal's special teams coming up big.

[Hobbes2d]

I like Cal. They should have the best offense in the pac-10, with USC the only other team having a case. They have perhaps the top ST unit in college football. True they lost a lot on defense, but this is perhaps the most athletic and deep defense Jeff Tedford has ever had to work with after 5 solid years of recruiting(his words).

From what I have read I think a lot of Longshore's late season fade last year was due to injury. It seemed in the bowl game versus Texas A&M after 3 weeks off he was back to the Longshore of September and October. I don't worry much about him. I am very confident he will perform Saturday, everything I have read so far indicates he is ready for the Vols this time around. He has lost 15 pounds and is in the best shape he has ever been in, and he knows the offense so well Tedford is even giving him the ability to make audibles at the LOS.

What does concern me however is the run defense. A lot of new faces on the D-line especially. Malele was bad last year, they obviously lose Mebane, Derek Hill has been a disappointment. They're depening a lot on underclassmen, many of which have very little game experience. These guys are going to be thrown in the fire game 1 versus a top 20 opponent, how they play will dictate whether Cal wins Saturday or not.

When all is said and done I do think Cal pulls it out, mainly because the game is at home and Cal plays great at Memorial stadium but it's hard to be too confident after what happened last year.

I'm not so worried about the run defense. Malele is good, and Mika Kane showed some talent last year. Also Hill was highly touted. I'm actually more worried about pass rush from the DE's, since the guys playing this year other then Mbokagu are inexperienced. LB's are arguably the best in the conference after USC. Felder is healthy again, Follett played great last year and Williams is solid. Thompson is a good CB, he rebounded after getting raped by Meachem last year. DeCloud, Hicks, Doxy and Hampton all have experience playing S. So the biggest issues IMO on the defense is CB opposite Thompson, and DE.

Other then that I think the team is **** solid.

[Ness]

Oooo....I can't wait for this game...that I'm going to miss because of stupid retail work. I was anxious to see how Nate Longshore and DeSean Jackson would do. Those guys are tight.

[49Faithful]

Pretty big news coming out today.

Ainge is going to play Saturday with a broken finger which he suffered in practice. Nobody really knows how this will effect his throwing ability but he certainly won't be 100%.

Well I guess we will find out how good Cal's D is going to be early on this year.

[Rocketknight73]

I'm taking Cal in this one.The Volunteers are overrated and so is Rocky Top!

[1st&Gore]

GO VOLS!

I live in TN! I dont bleed orang, I bleed Red and Gold but if you mix those together it might make a weird hue of orange

[JL 103]

I'm taking Cal in this one.The Volunteers are overrated and so is Rocky Top!

:bat:

[NinerRider]

Oooo....I can't wait for this game...that I'm going to miss because of stupid retail work. I was anxious to see how Nate Longshore and DeSean Jackson would do. Those guys are tight.

You're not the only one bro, I'm missing the game because it's moving day for me. I won't even be able to see the highlights because DirectTV doesn't come until Sunday afternoon.

[SBbound49ers]

If Aingle posts similar numbers to what he did last year, what round is he projected to go?

[Hobbes2d]

If Aingle posts similar numbers to what he did last year, what round is he projected to go?

Maybe he could slip into the late 1st, but there could potentially be up to like 5 or 6 1st round QB's already. I think 2nd round is a good bet for Ainge if he has another really good year.

[Hobbes2d]

Oooo....I can't wait for this game...that I'm going to miss because of stupid retail work. I was anxious to see how Nate Longshore and DeSean Jackson would do. Those guys are tight.

I called in sick to watch Cal at USC in 2004. One of the best games I've seen, I never regretted it! :D

[ninerlos]

I'm taking Cal in this one.The Volunteers are overrated and so is Rocky Top!

I hate you....:hunter: :banned:

[ninerlos]

Maybe he could slip into the late 1st, but there could potentially be up to like 5 or 6 1st round QB's already. I think 2nd round is a good bet for Ainge if he has another really good year.

I agree I think second round if he has a solid year He is a bit injury prone.

[Trap_Star]

the SEC ftw.

[UserName]

This Saturday is going to be rocking at Memorial. By all accounts the teams is ready this year and shouldn't be shell-shocked last year playing in front of 108,000 people. Tedford has been trying to focus the players on themselves and not to think of the other team.

On defense everyone will have their eyes on Syd'Quan Thompson who got burned by Robert Meacham last year. However, as rcs15 has pointed out, there are many more holes that Cal will need to fill on the defensive side. I have confidence that Forsett will step up this year and am excited to see if the freshman Javid Best has had a good enough camp to get into the game. He along with DeSean can really open up the offense with their speed.

Last year Tennessee was just more physical and intimidating, knocking out starting TE Craig Stevens on the kickoff. Hopefully Cal is more ready for this game than last year and comes out with a lot more energy. Tennessee is once again ranked lower, so the Bears will have to counteract their intensity to prove the AP polls wrong and come out and feed off the home crowd.

It's going to be an intense first half. Defense will be the key and whoever controls the clock, will win the game.

My homer prediction: 28-24, with Cal's special teams coming up big.

for one, that is not a homer pick...

and two, Tennessee no longer has Meachem. And Thompson turned it on and made huuuuge progressions during the year. I didn't watch that many games, maybe like 4 or 5, but I saw him improving in each one.

and three...

DeSean Jackson for Hesiman! wooooo :hatwave:

[JL 103]

for one, that is not a homer pick...

and two, Tennessee no longer has Meachem. And Thompson turned it on and made huuuuge progressions during the year. I didn't watch that many games, maybe like 4 or 5, but I saw him improving in each one.

and three...

DeSean Jackson for Hesiman! wooooo :hatwave:

For one that is a homer pick.

And two it doesn't matter if the WR for Tennessee are young. If you give Ainge all day to throw they will be open.

And for the thrid I hope Jackson will play for the Niners in the future.

[4Nine4life]

Rocky Top!!!

I guess you guys are happy that Eric Ainge has broken finger and Lamarcus Coker our starting RB can't pass a drug test. But we will still win..

Today you guys will be sick of hearing rocky top.

[JL 103]

Rocky Top!!!

I guess you guys are happy that Eric Ainge has broken finger and Lamarcus Coker our starting RB can't pass a drug test. But we will still win..

Today you guys will be sick of hearing rocky top.

I can't give you rep. But GO VOLS.

[rygeorge]

Anyone know if it's on TVU or Sopcast?

[Rice80_Taylor82]

Let's get this done. Go Bears!

[dryedmangoez]

Go Bears!

[Rice80_Taylor82]

Fumble or lateral, nobody cares. Touchdown!

[AlexSmith5rings]

Td Bears!!

[sipote]

haha i know is random but michigan lost to a to that one college

[Pound th' Rock]

Notre Dame got their asses handed to them today.

[AlexSmith5rings]

cal's defense needs to get it together.

[SBbound49ers]

That punt return was ESPY good.

[dryedmangoez]

That punt return was ESPY good.

:dootdoot:

[AlexSmith5rings]

Desean Jackson!!!!!

[rygeorge]

Please draft Jackson to be our PR!!!

[DUNCAN51NICK]

Please draft Jackson to be our PR!!!

Haha, I was thinking the same thing.

[Pound th' Rock]

Please draft Jackson to be our PR!!!

Colts have to do really bad for us to get a chance for him, but he is one dynamic player. I'd love for him to be our #1 next year, unless we could get Glenn Dorsey...

[Hobbes2d]

Hello Heisman?! :D

[AlexSmith5rings]

cal's passing defense is awful.. whats going on?

[AlexSmith5rings]

pathetic..

[daredevil2-5]

Feels like I'm watching the Falcons D from last year :(

[AlexSmith5rings]

TD BEARS!! now defense GET IT TOGETHER

[Hobbes2d]

cal's passing defense is awful.. whats going on?

Its called 2 new starting DE's who can't generate a pass rush. And a new starting CB, who used to play Safety, and before that was a RB....

[AlexSmith5rings]

FG Cal! offense has been doing a great job. 31-21 CAL

[Hobbes2d]

FG Cal! offense has been doing a great job. 31-21 CAL

Should be 34-21. **** Longshore :bat:

[Eaglesfandan]

Cal ain't lookin so bad now.......38-21

[AlexSmith5rings]

Td Bears!!!

[Hobbes2d]

SEC what? who? :laugh:

Yay maybe Cal can actually make a Rose Bowl this year.

[AlexSmith5rings]

come on goal line D, doing a great job so far. time out tenn

[Eaglesfandan]

Stopped!!!!!

[Hobbes2d]

They held! :D

[AlexSmith5rings]

awesome job right there!

[dryedmangoez]

That's more like it!

[sipote]

im more of a usc fan but whenever is a pac 10 vs sec ill go for cali teams so there wont be excuses that usc plays sub par teams

[AlexSmith5rings]

why are they going shot gun 2 times in a row? they were starting to run over them

[Hobbes2d]

Ugh Longshore....I swear you better not keep pulling this inconsistent crap this year.

[Eaglesfandan]

Ugh Longshore....I swear you better not keep pulling this inconsistent crap this year.

Yeah 15/21 192 yards and two TDs is really inconsistent with a 38-21 lead.....http://209.85.48.11/html/emoticons/blink.gif

[Eaglesfandan]

Wow if Cal does lose it won't be because of the offense.........

[Hobbes2d]

Yeah 15/21 192 yards and two TDs is really inconsistent with a 38-21 lead.....http://209.85.48.11/html/emoticons/blink.gif

It is when he's fumbling snaps on 3rd down and missing easy wide open shots at the endzone from inside the 10.

[mertonhanks36]

Hey bababay!!!

[Eaglesfandan]

It is when he's fumbling snaps on 3rd down and missing easy wide open shots at the endzone from inside the 10.

I agree, but if your offense puts up 38 points I don't wanna hear squat from the defense.........

[Hobbes2d]

I agree, but if your offense puts up 38 points I don't wanna hear squat from the defense.........

But the offense hasnt put up 38 pts. 7 pts ARE from the defense, 7 more are from special teams.

[Eaglesfandan]

But the offense hasnt put up 38 pts. 7 pts ARE from the defense, 7 more are from special teams.

Either way. If you have 38 points on the board that should be a W period.

[Eaglesfandan]

That was PI Cal. They got away with one......:hatwave:

[Eaglesfandan]

Wow nice three and out..........:bat:

[dryedmangoez]

Come on Bears!

[Eaglesfandan]

That TD SHOULD be the end of the game.........

[Hobbes2d]

That TD SHOULD be the end of the game.........

Except this is college.

[Eaglesfandan]

Except this is college.

True I've seen leads bigger than this blown........

[Hobbes2d]

True I've seen leads bigger than this blown........

And there's like 8 mins left, which is TONS of time. Luckily Cal is taking momentum.

[Eaglesfandan]

And there's like 8 mins left, which is TONS of time. Luckily Cal is taking momentum.

I still stick with the fact that if you put 38 or 45 points on the board you shouldn't lose. It does happen though......

[dryedmangoez]

Except this is college.

True I've seen leads bigger than this blown........

Very true.
You play until the end of the game.

[Eaglesfandan]

Wow nice numbers for Forsett........

[Hobbes2d]

Man Forsett is looking like J.J. Arrington did a few years ago when he broke 2000 yards.

[Eaglesfandan]

Man Forsett is looking like J.J. Arrington did a few years ago when he broke 2000 yards.

Yep

[Eaglesfandan]

Holy ish this doesn't sound good. Dayum I hate this.......

[esanton]

Thank god his arms are moving!!

[Eaglesfandan]

OK Hobbes I am starting to agree with you about Longshore now.......:falldownlaugh:

[AlexSmith5rings]

Game Over! CAL WINS!!! that game was FUN to watch

[Eaglesfandan]

Game ova 45-31 Cal

[dryedmangoez]

:clapping:

[Hobbes2d]

i would like to thank CAL for defeating the LOLZ

dawgs will win the SEC, write it DOWN

I think you mean Florida. :bat:

[Hobbes2d]

OK Hobbes I am starting to agree with you about Longshore now.......:falldownlaugh:

Ya, kid is talented but he is really good at screwing up at the wrong times. He's going to give me a heart attack.

Oh well, Cal won. Les Miles can stfu up now. :hoppy:

[one49erfaithful]

I'm hoping CAL and USC are both undefeated when they play against each other later in the year.. CAL's offense looked potent.. lots of potential.. high expectations this year..

[Hobbes2d]

I'm hoping CAL and USC are both undefeated when they play against each other later in the year.. CAL's offense looked potent.. lots of potential.. high expectations this year..

What's scary is that they screwed up a bunch of times on offense. Once Tedford gets back into the groove of things as a playcaller and the guys gel a little more it will be even more potent.

All I can say is THANK GOD Tedford is calling the plays again. Dunbar was crap.

[one49erfaithful]

Desean Jackson to the 49ers!!!... move over Brandon Williams.. :sam:

But I do hope Brandon does spectacular things this season to change people's perception about his returning ability, including mine.. :bat:

[offtackle24]

:wub: Desean Jackson to the 49ers!!!... move over Brandon Williams.. :sam:

But I do hope Brandon does spectacular things this season to change people's perception about his returning ability, including mine.. :bat:

[Rice80_Taylor82]

Forsett was dominant tonight.

[ninerlos]

i would like to thank CAL for defeating the LOLZ

dawgs will win the SEC, write it DOWN

You suck:hunter:

[ninerlos]

USC USC USC :hoppy: :dootdoot:

[JL 103]

Good game by Cal. Even though I am very disapointed with the Vols. That was an entertaining game.

[UserName]

For one that is a homer pick.


yeah, total homer pick :pards:

[majesstik1]

DeSean Jackson sure is fun to watch.

[offtackle24]

USC USC USC :hoppy: :dootdoot:

sucks balls!

[offtackle24]

DeSean Jackson sure is fun to watch.

Amazing- I loved it when he pulled back to avoid the tackle on the punt return. That was classic.

[offtackle24]

i would like to thank CAL for defeating the LOLZ

dawgs will win the SEC, write it DOWN

you can thank cal later when they beat usc at their house and end the national title hopes.


Or maybe im just dreaming.

[Franchise49]

DeSean Jackson sure is fun to watch.

I know we have more glaring needs but I would not be at all disappointed with best player available pick if Desean fell to us. In fact I might to a little :hoppy: :dootdoot: :banana6:

[rygeorge]

I know we have more glaring needs but I would not be at all disappointed with best player available pick if Desean fell to us. In fact I might to a little :hoppy: :dootdoot: :banana6:

Seriously we haven't had a returner like that in a looonnngg time. He's be a good 3rd wide receiver as well.

[Hobbes2d]

Seriously we haven't had a returner like that in a looonnngg time. He's be a good 3rd wide receiver as well.

He would start if he was on this team.....

[SB49er4life]

He would start if he was on this team.....

Not right now he wouldn't. He's way too skinny; he'd just get owned by the press coverage.

I do think he could be good though; I see more in him than I did with Ginn Jr.

[LowerWolf]

Congrats to the Cal fans. Wouldn't mind seeing Jackson in Niners colors next year.

Hope we learn to tackle before heading to Gainesville in two weeks.

[offtackle24]

Not right now he wouldn't. He's way too skinny; he'd just get owned by the press coverage.

I do think he could be good though; I see more in him than I did with Ginn Jr.

he added 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason

[NinerRider]

Not right now he wouldn't. He's way too skinny; he'd just get owned by the press coverage.

I do think he could be good though; I see more in him than I did with Ginn Jr.

I'm not one to wish injury on a player, but in this case, I'm hoping Peyton breaks a leg tonight so we can get a Top 10 pick and possibly draft DeSean.

[Bdogg]

I'm not one to wish injury on a player, but in this case, I'm hoping Peyton breaks a leg tonight so we can get a Top 10 pick and possibly draft DeSean.

I hate to BREAK it to you, but Peyton will not get touched in this game tonight and even if by some wierd circumstances we were able to get a top draft pick, Mr. Jackson will not be it. CAN YOU SAY D-LINE!!!!

[NinerRider]

I hate to BREAK it to you, but Peyton will not get touched in this game tonight and even if by some wierd circumstances we were able to get a top draft pick, Mr. Jackson will not be it. CAN YOU SAY D-LINE!!!!

Really? Even with a new rookie LT protecting Manning and Smith and Grant on both ends?

[daredevil2-5]

Really? Even with a new rookie LT protecting Manning and Smith and Grant on both ends?
Grant really doesn't get a lot of sacks, he's a true LE. Now Smith, that's a different story.

[Bdogg]

Really? Even with a new rookie LT protecting Manning and Smith and Grant on both ends?

I just don't see it happening. Manning is just that good and although the Saints have two very good D linemen, Manning will get rid of the ball quickly because the Saint's have NO secondary.

[NinerRider]

I just don't see it happening. Manning is just that good and although the Saints have two very good D linemen, Manning will get rid of the ball quickly because the Saint's have NO secondary.

True, but I wasn't being serious about him getting injured anyway.

[Bdogg]

True, but I wasn't being serious about him getting injured anyway.

I know. Believe me, I would love to see them have a really bad year and for us to get a top selection.

[UCBLaxPlayer]

hey JL... i've been gone for a while. but good game. tenn fans are class acts!

[JL 103]

hey JL... i've been gone for a while. but good game. tenn fans are class acts!

Thanks bro. I am still mad about the Vols losing. But you guys played better than us.