Bet California Golden Bears – Anemic Offense Makes Golden Bears Toothless

2009 California Golden Bears Betting Recap

Online betting players had high hopes for the Golden Bears in 2009, and they started off hot with routs over Maryland and Eastern Washington, before heading to Minnesota and coming away with a two-touchdown win.  The Golden Bears fell flat on their face in their next two games at Oregon and at home to then-No.7 USC, losing by a combined score of 72-6.  Cal then embarked on a three-game winning streak romping at UCLA and against Washington State before eking out a 23-21 win at Arizona State.  Cal’s inconsistent ways continued with a 31-14 loss at home to Oregon State, then they won two games in a row against ranked opponents, downing Arizona and coming away victorious at Stanford.  But the season ended on a low note as the Golden Bears were thumped 42-10 at Washington, then they fell 37-27 in the Poinsettia Bowl to Utah.

The Golden Bears had a balanced offense last season, but their big-play guy was Jahvid Best, who shared carries with Shane Vereen, but he missed the last three games of the season due to a concussion.  Quarterback Kevin Riley was solid, but he never really opened it up for the Golden Bears.  The defense was awful trying to stop anyone through the air, coming in 111th, even though they were 32nd in the country in sacks.

2010 Preview To Bet California Golden Bears

Betting on the Golden Bears in 2010 could be risky as the offense will now focus on Riley with Best gone, and we’re not sure that’s going to work.  Riley was up and down last year, and when he was down, the Golden Bears often got destroyed.  Cal may go to the air with Marvin Jones, but Vereen is still around to guide the rushing attack, and he has an experienced offensive line to run behind.  However, the major question on this team is, can they stop anyone through the air?  Syd’Quan Thompson was the only cornerback on the team that did anything, and he’s gone.  Tyson Alalu is also gone, which means the Golden Bears must find a pass rusher ahead of the 2010 season if they want to boost their NCAA football betting odds.

The Golden Bears kick off the season with UC Davis and new Pac-10 boys Colorado at home, before heading out on a tricky back-to-back at Arizona and Nevada.  Cal then hosts UCLA before travelling to USC, and then they return home to face Arizona State before heading to Oregon State and Washington State.  The Golden Bears will then have three straight home games to finish off the year, hosting Oregon, Stanford and Washington.

We wouldn’t think too much about betting on the Golden Bears in 2010, as their best offensive player is gone in Best, and we don’t have much faith in Riley, who has been up and down his entire career.  The Golden Bears changed defensive coordinators, so that side of the ball should be better.  It won’t matter, though, because the offense will take a couple of steps backwards this season, and that’s going to stop Cal from being a legitimate sports betting threat in the Pac-10 this season.