California Golden Bears Midseason Review: Offensive Report Card

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Around the UC Berkeley campus, familiar images abound: packed libraries, bags under students' eyes, and a plethora of caffeinated beverages.

That can only mean midterm exam time, when Cal students of all grades try to show their professors what they've learned over the course of the semester (or for some, over the course of an eight-hour cram session). 

In many classes, a midterm can make or brake one's grade early, while others still have the opportunity to catch up.

For the Cal football team, it's fair to say that a combination of the two has occurred. The Bears' big tests - USC and Oregon - came early in the year and the boys in Blue and Gold were obviously caught quite unprepared.

At the same time, the season is only half done (hard as it may be for some Cal fans to believe), and there is still the real possibility of a 10 win season if the Bears can get their act together.

As part of my team midseason review, I will talk about the second half possibilities and more. But for now, let's start by evaluating the team as a whole, starting with the offense.

Quarterback

Oh, Kevin Riley, what ever shall we do with you? He is reminiscent of the kid in class who appears to be understanding the material and trying earnestly, but is a bad test taker.

The Bears' signal caller has been poised, efficient, and accurate during the team's wins - particularly in the opener against Maryland (298 yards and four touchdowns) and in Saturday's victory at UCLA (three more scores).

Unfortunately, he has been dreadful during Cal's biggest games - going a combined 27 of 71 passing against Oregon and USC. He has both missed open receivers and thrown into coverage, while overall looking like a nervous wreck in the pocket. 

That said, there can be no questioning his competitiveness and toughness. Any questions about those qualities were answered when he ran 40 yards downfield with Jahvid Best against the Bruins to make the final block that sprung his running back free. He also ran for three first downs on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

However, Riley's Jekyll-Hyde impression has made him impossible to evaluate; for every throw like his touchdowns to Marvin Jones, he has had a couple truly puzzling decisions, as well.

It's hard to pass a verdict yet.

Grade: Incomplete

Running Backs

Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen (who can hardly be called a back-up) have complimented each other well this season.

On Saturday against UCLA, the tandem showed just how valuable they are, with each posting big plays in the running (runs of 42, 40, and 93 yards) and passing game (a catch for 51).

However, both were wrapped up during the Oregon and USC debacles (though a lot of that came from weak run blocking and an early abandonment of the run). Furthermore, the Bears' offense has often stalled when it hasn't gotten those highlight-reel plays.

That said, numbers-wise, it's hard to be overly disappointed with one of the better running back tandems in the conference, if not the country.

Best is less than 30 yards off his 2008 six-game mark, and has surpassed his touchdown mark from this point last season. Vereen, meanwhile, already has more rushing scores than he had all of last year, and both have taken turns returning kicks this season.

Overall, with nearly 1,000 rushing yards, 17 total touchdowns, and 23 receptions between the two, it would be difficult to ask the backfield duo to do much more for the Bears.

Grade: B+

Wide Receivers

The emergence of a healthy Marvin Jones, who has added reliable hands and big play potential, has been a much-needed plus for Cal.

The sophomore has begun to assert himself as Riley's go-to target, but the story has been largely the same as last season for the rest of the Bears' receivers.

Granted, the unit has been plagued by some injuries - particularly Verran Tucker, Nyan Boateng, and starting tight end Tad Smith - but the bigger scourge has been inconsistency. 

Jeremy Ross had a good game against Minnesota, but has been largely silent since. Tucker and tight end Anthony Miller have made plays, as well - but not game after game.

While this unit has been solid in run blocking , dropped passes and getting open (though at times, quarterback play, too) have been a problem.

As a result, the receiving corps in 2009 is largely on pace for the same amount of receptions and yards as last year .

Spreading the ball around has been a positive thing, particularly to weapons like Best and Vereen, but at some point the receivers are going to have to start making defenses pay for consistently stacking the box.

Grade: C

Offensive Line

As one of the keys to a functioning running game and an upright quarterback, the boys up front have major ups and downs this season after losing stellar center Alex Mack and offensive line coach Steve Marshall.

Their first three performances were solid, which could be seen in the team's passing and running statistics. But the line broke down big time against Oregon's speedy rushers, allowing five sacks and generally looking overwhelmed.

And while Kevin Riley didn't see the turf as much when facing the Trojans, he was hurried consistently and never looked comfortable - while the running game never got off the ground.

However, the line, led by vets Mitchell Schwartz and Mike Tepper, have done a good job avoiding flags, as Cal is the least-penalized team in the conference this year; they should gain more confidence with a game against Washington State ahead. 

Grade: B-

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