Gophers and Bears Hope for Golden Saturday

The last time the Minnesota Gophers beat a top-10 team at home not one current player was born. It was 1977 against Michigan. Before that, we have to go way back to 1961. Head coach Tim Brewster has a chance to get his first signature win (Illinois last year doesn’t count) No. 8 California has had its issues on the road — 8 losses in its last 9 games away from Memorial Stadium. We dive into that issue and everything Golden Bears with beat reporter Jonathan Okanes from the Bay Area News Group.

GH: Cal has lost four in a row on the road and 8 of its past 9 away from Memorial Stadium…why?

JO: There are a variety of reasons at play. Cal lost its last four road games of the 2007 season. Of course, the Bears lost six of their last seven overall. The Bears were in such disarray during the second half of the 2007 season, they had trouble beating anybody home or away. Last year, they lost road games at USC and Oregon State, not exactly big crimes. They lost at Maryland, probably because of the combination of being unprepared for the extreme humidity and not being properly rested due to the time zone difference. They lost at Arizona because Arizona played better.

GH: The Gophers saw, among others last year, studs Beanie Wells and Shonn Greene…will Jahvid Best be the best RB these defenders (8 returning starters) see in their college careers and what makes him so good?

JO: I don’t know if Best is better than Wells or Greene but I’d bet he’s faster than them. That’s the biggest weapon in Best’s game, just pure speed. But he’s not just a track sprinter playing football. He’s got excellent moves and lateral movement and has gotten stronger since last season.

GH: Put on your offensive coordinator hat…how would you scheme to beat Cal’s defense?

JO: Eastern Washington, an FCS school, showed last week that Cal might be vulnerable against a short passing game. The Eagles were able to move the ball in the first half against the Bears. Eventually, Cal adjusted by dropping an extra player into coverage. But if by doing so an opposing quarterback has more time to throw, good receivers might get open more consistently.

GH: Same question, scheme against its offense.

JO: You definitely have to turn Cal into a passing team. The jury is still out on the Bears’ passing attack. We know the verdict with the run.

GH: The 11 a.m. game time, so 9 a.m. Pacific time, that a concern for coach Jeff Tedford, and if so, what is he doing to combat it?

JO: This has been a topic of much discussion around here because last year Cal played at Maryland at 9 a.m. Pacific time and appeared to be sluggish at kickoff. The Bears traveled to Maryland the day before, so the players may have not been well-adjusted to the time change. This year, Tedford is flying the team to Minneapolis on Thursday, giving them an extra day in the new city. Tedford maintains the team’s problems last year at Maryland weren’t because they were tired, but he allowed that maybe they just felt rushed. This way, they can ease their way more into the game.

GH: Jeff Tedford took over a 1-10 team in 2002 and hasn’t had a losing record…he’s a great coach…does he not get the recognition he deserves nationally?

JO: It seems like he has received a lot of recognition to me. He’s been mentioned in numerous coaching searches, and not just on the West Coast. I get the feeling he’s pretty well thought of nationally.

GH: How good is CB Syd’Quan Thompson who should get the assignment of WR Eric Decker for the most, if not, the whole game?

JO: Thompson is very good. He has great closing speed and also is very good against the run. He’s also a dynamic punt returner.

GH: Evaluate the O-line, have they adequately replaced first-round pick Alex Mack?

JO: Cal’s offensive line has been very good so far. They lost Mack, but they have two NFL-caliber tackles with Mike Tepper and Mitchell Schwartz. And new center Chris Guarnero was a starter at left guard last year before suffering a season-ending foot injury.

GH: QB Kevin Riley has started out hot this year but his history as a QB is one of inconsistency. Last year he was 7-19 for 97 yds and a pick on the road at Arizona and 4-16 for 59 yds and a pick at USC. Which Riley do you expect to show up on Saturday?

JO: Riley was put in a difficult situation last year sharing time with Nate Longshore. He never really seemed comfortable. Now he’s the undisputed No. 1 quarterback and looks much more confident and comfortable in the passing game. Plus, last year he was dealing with an entirely brand new receiving corps and a injury-riddled offensive line. I think Riley will play well.

GH: Who wins and why?

JO: Cal. I think the Bears’ team speed will give them an edge. But Cal has to prove it can play to its potential on the road. If Minnesota keeps it close and gets the crowd into it at the brand new stadium, then the Bears could be in trouble.

Talk about the Gopher ““ Cal matchup on Brew’s Crew message board.