Conference Pacific-10 Conference Offensive scheme Multiple | 2007 record 7–6 (3–6 Pac-10) Defensive coordinator Bob Gregory (6th year) | |
Head coach Jeff Tedford (6th year) Offensive coordinator Jim Michalczik (1st as oc; 6th overall year) | ||
The 2007 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and were coached by Jeff Tedford.
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Beginning the season with a #12 ranking, California was ranked as high #2 after a 5–0 start with wins against #15 Tennessee and #11 Oregon before a close homecoming game loss to unranked Oregon State. Cal went on to lose six of its last seven regular season games, losing The Axe to rival Stanford in the Big Game for the first time in six years. The season ended on a high note with a victory in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl behind backup quarterback and game MVP Kevin Riley. California compiled a 7–6 record, finished in 7th place in the Pac-10, and was unranked for the first time since 2003.
Pre-Season
At the end of the 2006 season, offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar resigned to accept the coaching position of offensive coordinator at Minnesota. Mike Dunbar's first and only season at Cal was a success as Cal led the Pac-10 and ranked 11th in the nation in scoring with 32.8 points per game. He will be replaced by Cal assistant head coach and offensive line coach Jim Michalczik. Jim Michalczik joined the Cal staff upon Tedford's arrival in 2002 and was integral in the development of one of the most potent offenses in the nation. Cal is one of just five teams to rank in the top 25 in scoring in each of the last five years.
Cal RB Marshawn Lynch decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2007 NFL Draft at the end of the 2006 season. He was selected as the 12th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills. Cal DT Brandon Mebane (Seattle Seahawks, third round, No. 22), CB Daymeion Hughes (Indianapolis Colts, third round, No. 32), and ILB Desmond Bishop (Green Bay Packers, sixth round, No. 18) were also drafted. This marks the first time since 1996 that California has had three players taken in the first three rounds of the draft.
In the pre-season, returning veteran running back Justin Forsett was named one of the top-10 impact seniors for 2007. DeSean Jackson was a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate. Expectations for the 2007 were high as Coach Tedford declared the team to be "strongest and fastest" team he had coached at California despite losing several high defensive players to the NFL and graduation.
Schedule
The schedule was ranked as the #6 toughest home schedule.
Aftermath
Cal's season was considered by many fans, players, and Coach Tedford to be a major disappointment. Cal was ranked as high as number #2 after a 5-0 start and Cal lost 6 of its last 7 regular season games, just making the Armed Forces Bowl. Many fans blamed the play of quarterback Nate Longshore for Cal's decline. Longshore's injury at Oregon appeared to physically affect his play for several games, though some sports commentators during broadcasts late in the season speculated that the ankle injury had mentally effected Longshore. Riley's performance in the Oregon State and Armed Forces Bowl have left an open debate about who will be Cal's quarterback next year.
On the day preceding the Armed Forces Bowl, Tedford declared there would be open competition for all positions on the team in 2008. In early January, Tedford reorganized his coaching staff, most notably hiring Frank Cignetti as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Tedford said he would give some of the play calling responsibility to Cignetti so he could spend more time with on special teams and defensive players. Tedford also hired Al Simmons as defensive backs coach. Tedford said he would reevaluate every aspect of Cal's football program and would make changes after Cal's disappointing season.
Center Alex Mack, the Pac-10's top offensive lineman elected to return for his senior year, which would also allow him to complete his degree. One week later, wide receive DeSean Jackson announced that he would forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft. Justin Forsett, Lavelle Hawkins, Robert Jordan, Thomas DeCoud, Mike Gibson, Craig Stevens, Matt Malele, Andrew Larson, and Tom Schneider were also potential NFL prospects.
Depth chart
These were the primary starters and backups through the 2007 season.