Poinsettia Bowl Preview

Like most Cal blogs out there, I apologize for the blogging hiatus. What can I say? Life has been absolutely crazy for me the last few days, and I'm actually writing this on my flight back to California for the holidays. Google and Virgin are a beautiful thing.

I'm actually not going to write too much about the game because;
1) The game is on in 15 minutes.
2) Other blogs have done a far better job prepping the game.

Just a few things to look out for:

1) How will the Bears respond after the Washington Debacle?
The Bears were embarrassed up in Washington. It was obvious after the first quarter that the Bears didn't quite show up for their regular season finale. It's always difficult to stay focused and motivated after an exhilarating rivalry win, and you saw the results early on.

The Bears have been up and down this season, but when the Bears lose, boy do they look bad. I think it will be obvious by the second quarter whether the Bears will have a shot in this game. If they can keep it close, and play patient, disciplined ball, then the Bears have a good shot against a very good Utah team.


2) Can Riley put the team on his back?
The Utes are going to be hell bent on stacking the box. Quite frankly, they know Vereen will kill them if they don't respect the run. They won't have nearly the same level of respect for Cal's passing game which has been up and down all season.

Fair or not, Riley is going to have to make things happen on his own this game. With Matt Summers-Gavin out on the offensive line, I'm not entirely optimistic that Cal's running game will take over in a game against a smaller but disciplined Utah rush defense.

3) How will the secondary far without Syd'Quan?
Squid is expected to miss his first start of his entire 4 year career at Cal. The results when he hasn't been in the game haven't always been pretty. The Bears have struggled enough as it is with the answer to the other corner spot. With Thompson out, the Bears will likely go with Bryant Nnabuife who was picked on by Jake Locker and redshirt freshman Marc Anthony who will see his first career start.

4) Will Vereen hit 1,000?
Cal's record having consecutive 1,000 yard rushers was thought to have come to an end when Best was knocked out against Oregon State. Things changed when Vereen ripped up Arizona and Stanford on the ground. Suddenly, 1,000 yards looked a real possibility.

Like the rest of the team, Vereen had a bit of a letdown game though against Washington, and will need 170 yards to keep the tradition alive at Cal. With Utah expected to stack the box however, I'd say the chances aren't likely. Possible, but not likely.

5) Who Will Win?
Look, Utah is a good team. Not spectacular, but a good solid, and at times, dangerous team. They've won 8 straight bowl games.

Cal can be dangerous, but can also look downright silly bad when they don't show up. In a bit of a letdown bowl game, missing their star cornerback and one of their best offensive linemen, they've got their work cut out for them.

If the Bears can find their focus and motivation from one another, and use their last loss against Washington as fuel, and keep the game close going into the third quarter, the Bears have got a real shot in this one.

But if their minds are focused too much about their night at the Gas Lamp district and not on setting themselves up for a great offseason however, then it can be a long night.