Portland State Keys to the Game

(Source: Photo by Stephen Lam/Getty Images)

If you've been following this blog at all over the past few years, you know that I don't really do an actual Keys to the Game any time Cal faces an FCS team. It's not really arrogance...okay, there's probably a bit of arrogance involved here, but it's more that I don't always have a lot of information about opposing FCS schools. Breaking down their statistics are usually meaningless given the competition they face off against.

Instead, I always try to make the preview about what the Bears need to do and things that I hope to see in the game.

Let's get right to it.

Continued Intensity and Focus
This week, Sonny Dykes downplayed the possibility of Zach Kline and Austin Hinder playing, saying something to the effect that anyone who didn't think the upcoming game against Portland State would be a dogfight was "out of their mind."

Uh huh.

Here's the thing though. As dubious as that statement is, I want him saying that. I want him actually believing that, and I want the team running through that tunnel on Saturday expecting to execute at the highest level.

Far too often, we've seen Cal teams float through games against opposing teams, and quite frankly, not look great against them. Remember the dread Blue Hose two years ago? Remember Southern Utah last year? Remember what those games ended up telling us on the focus and mental resolve of those Cal squads?

Exactly.

Do I actually expect that Zach Kline will see some snaps? Absolutely. And I'm sure Dykes does as well, but you know he isn't going to trot out any reserves until he's convinced that his team has come to play and has taken care of business on the field.

Let me put it this way: if the Bears can't put away Portland State by the end of the first half, then this is going to be a long season.

Run Defense Needs to Step Up
Here's the bad news: Portland State runs the pistol, a defense that has given the Bears fits for years now.

Here's the good news: Current defensive coordinator Andy Buh and defensive line coach Barry Sacks have both coached for Nevada, the birthplace of Chris Ault's infamous shooter-named offense. So you have to think that they're going to be coaching up this defense this week.

And they had better. Last week, the Bears surrendered 209 yards on the ground, giving up over 5 yards a carry. That's awful, given that Northwestern was without its option quarterback Kain Colter for the vast majority of the game.

The Bears need to show much better technique and gap integrity than they did last Saturday. I though DL Villiami Moala and Deandre Coleman played ok, but the Bears' defensive ends struggled to seal the edge, and Cal's linebackers struggled to located the ball on runs up the gut. It did improve throughout the Northwestern game, but they need to show far more consistency in this area.

With Ohio State and Oregon (two spread option offenses) on the horizon, Portland State will at the very least give the Bears' D plenty of practice in terms of reading opposing lines and locating the ball. Rumor has it that Portland State uses "pin blocks" often pulling multiple offensive linemen to create a wall of blockers for backs. Sounds like a good test.

Rushing Offense
Speaking of running the ball, the Bears need to do just as good of a job running the ball as they plan to defend it.

I was ecstatic with Cal's first drive, where Brendan Bigelow carved up Northwestern's defense, taking advantage of the rushing lanes paved on the inside.

Then they went away from it. Far too many rushes aimed for the edges were called, with Cal's backs trying to find lateral rushing lanes instead of hitting the inside.

The Bears need to get back to calling plays that will build the offensive line's confidence in running the ball between tackles. Cal's RBs need more experience finding running lanes and pounding the ball inside. Further, Cal's WRs can do a far better job in maintaining their blocks when runs do indeed bounce to the outside. There were a couple of runs on Saturday that could have gone for far more yardage had a WR held their block for a second or two longer.

Also, I expect a healthy dose of Brendan Bigelow on Saturday. I know Cal doesn't expect to wear him down, but I'd be surprised if they don't give him at least 20 touches on Saturday.

Portland State just gave up 154 yards to Eastern Oregon. EASTERN OREGON. If Cal doesn't churn out at least 200 yards on the ground on Saturday (assuming we run the ball at least 30 times), you're going to find me in the freakout corner in full out panic mode for the rest of the season? Over exaggeration? Of course, but still rooted in honesty.

Extended Playing Time
This team is going to continue to need to play as much as it can. The more snaps the better. I know none of the coaches want to wear down any of the players, but given the youth of this team, they need to grow up quickly. Only playing can actually do that.

And given the injury prognosis this week (Sebastian out for the year, with Brennan Scarlett and Nick Forbes still likely sidelined), the reserves need to get in and take their licks. The sooner the better.

Ideally, the starters go out there and execute at a high level that the reserves are able to play at least a quarter to a quarter and a half. Not a single player or unit on this team is solid enough right now to warrant taking a game off though, so again, you hope there's some solid play in the first half.

Outlook
This isn't meant to be a knock on Portland State, but the only way I see the Bears keeping it close is if there's some type of emotional hangover from Saturday. I don't think that's the case though, and the Bears roll.

Prediction
Cal 55 Portland State 17