Cal Bears Football: 10 Most Devastating Losses of the Jeff Tedford Era

Jeff Tedford has been the California Golden Bears' head coach for nine years. Throughout those nine years, there has been at least one devastating loss for the team every season. 

The freshest wound is obviously the Bears' loss at Washington less than two weeks ago, but where does it rank among the other losses during the Tedford era?

We will dive in and check out the nine most devastating Tedford-era losses in order of exactly how devastating they were. 

10) September 6th, 2003: Cal vs. Colorado State

The second year for Jeff Tedford at Cal was 2003, and there were plenty of tough losses. In Week 1, the Bears lost to No. 10 Kansas State, 10-7. 

The toughest loss for the Bears to swallow in 2003 was the loss to the Colorado State Rams in Week 3. It was the second home game of the season, and the Rams were 0-1 after a 42-35 home loss to the Colorado Buffaloes. 

In what should have been an easy victory for Cal, Rams kicker Jeff Babcock kicked a 32-yard field goal to hand the Bears a 23-21 loss.

9) September 13th, 2008: Cal at Maryland

Cal was undefeated and ranked going into the game against Maryland in Week 3 of 2008. They literally didn't show up to the game, as they scored six points prior to the fourth quarter. 

The Bears went on to lose 35-27, and they went on to finish 8-4 in 2008.

It was a devastating loss because a 5-0 start would have easily been obtained if the Bears had won.

8) September 24th, 2011: Cal at Washington

This loss hurt, literally. The Bears had their opportunities, but they seemed to let them slip through their hands. 

A 4-0 start to the 2011 season would have been great, considering it would have come right before the bye week.

Cal is now set to travel to Oregon to face off against the No. 9 Ducks. 

7) October 13th, 2007: Cal vs. Oregon State

2007 seemed to be one of those seasons for Cal, as they started off 5-0.

That was, until the Bears faced off against Oregon State in their second Pac-10 game of the year. 

Oregon State had already lost three games prior to beating the Bears, 31-28. The loss really sent Cal into a tailspin, finishing 6-6. 

6) December 23rd, 2009: Cal vs. Utah

Cal finished the regular season at 8-4 in 2009 and got a chance to go up against the No. 23 Utah Utes in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. 

Cal led 14-7 after the first quarter, but cooled off late, losing 37-27.

True freshman Jordan Wynn threw for a career-high 338 yards and three touchdowns for Utah.  

5) October 12th, 2002: Cal at USC

In Tedford's first season as Cal's head coach, he led the Bears into USC for what would be a battle. Cal was up 21-17 at halftime, but fell to a final score of 30-28. 

USC back Sultan McCullough ran all over Cal. McCullough rushed 39 times for 176 yards.

A win for Cal would have propelled the Bears to a bowl game in 2002. 

4) October 8th, 2005: Cal at UCLA

Cal had another great start in 2005, going 5-0. They then ran into UCLA on the road in what would be a shootout. 

Also undefeated, UCLA won the game late, 47-40.

Cal would then go on to lose three of its next four after the deflating loss. 

3) November 13th, 2010: Cal vs. Oregon

Cal had a great opportunity in 2010 to derail the Oregon Ducks' season. The Bears were at home and had the Ducks exactly where they wanted them. 

Oregon was the No. 1 team in the country, and Cal was shut down in the fourth quarter en route to a disappointing 15-13 loss. 

2) October 2nd, 2006: Cal at Tennessee

Tedford and the Bears started 2006 off on the wrong foot with a 35-18 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers in Week 1. 

Following the loss, the Bears went on to win eight straight games.

This loss really stung in a season that could have been very special. 

1) October 9th, 2004: Cal at USC

Tedford's best season, 2004, was derailed by the USC Trojans in Week 4. The Bears had a perfect record and would lose only one game on the season. 

Yes, this was that game.

The Bears failed to score in the first and fourth quarters on their way to a devastating 23-17 loss.

Cal missed a perfect season by that much.