http://www.sportsnipe.com California Bears NCAA Football, Team News, Updates, and Stats from all sports sources, updated continually. http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1048433/go-bears.html California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047543/no-14-stanford-flying-high-into-big-game-vs-cal.html When Toby Gerhart arrived at Stanford in 2006 there was more talk about whether the Cardinal should field a major college football team than about the farfetched possibility of going to the Rose Bowl. Stanford went 1-11 in Gerhart's freshman year under coach Walt Harris, losing eight games by at least 21 points. "People laughed at us on campus," Gerhart said. "We were the laughingstock of the sports program. Now the student section is full each week and they're fighting to get seats. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047541/no-14-stanford-flying-high-into-big-game-vs-cal-san-francisco-chronicle.html No. 14 Stanford flying high into Big Game vs. CalSan Francisco Chronicle... more talk about whether the Cardinal should even field a major college football team than about the farfetched possibility of going to the Rose Bowl. ...Football Outsiders' stats show which teams have been the least, and most ...ESPNChronicle Live's Greg Papa talks Stanford footballExaminer.comNow, Pressure Is for Players Not to Play After a ConcussionNew York TimesTheBootleg.com (subscription) -Covers -The Associated Pressall 264 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047540/no-14-stanford-flying-high-into-big-game-vs-cal-ap.html When Toby Gerhart arrived at Stanford in 2006 there was more talk about whether the Cardinal should field a major college football team than about the farfetched possibility of going to the Rose Bowl. Stanford went 1-11 in Gerhart's freshman year under coach Walt Harris, losing eight games by at least 21 points. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045874/college-football-su-makes-most-limited-scholarship.html The two football teams in Saturday's NCAA Division II second-round playoff game at Seth Grove Stadium (noon kickoff) share a lot of similarities. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045872/stanford-lsupicked.html The national championship race seems as if it's being put on hold this week, with the top contenders all big -- in some cases too big to count -- favorites. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045870/amazon-black-friday-deals.html Check out my other blog for the hottest deals.If you are planning on buying anything from Amazon, please click through this link, as I get a kickback: California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045869/sf-chronicle-cal-enters-new-era-tedford-as-well.html Ron Kroichick   Sometimes, after games, Cal coach Jeff Tedford will enter the locker room, make a hard right turn and walk all the way down the aisle, near a window against one side of Memorial Stadium, to heartily congratulate an offensive lineman on playing well. Then he'll find quarterback Kevin Riley, or a defensive player, and offer similar praise.  This is the same stoic, reclusive Tedford who savors holing up in his office to watch video? Other times, during practices or at the start of the fourth quarter in games this season, he has stood in the middle of a scrum of Cal players. As they exuberantly bounce up and down, Tedford raises his voice - loudly, vigorously, passionately trying to stoke his players' emotions. This is the same calm, analytical Tedford who hides behind dark sunglasses and speaks in even, measured tones?  As he prepares for his 100th game at Cal on Saturday - he's 66-33, one shy of matching Pappy Waldorf for most victories in the school's modern era - Tedford clearly has grown into the job. He's no longer simply a strategy-obsessed, onetime offensive coordinator, singularly consumed with the chess-game moves of football. Now, more than ever, Tedford embraces the human element. He's making an unmistakable effort to connect with his players, from those postgame words of encouragement to occasional before-practice chats about their academic workload. Link to rest of article. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045868/daily-cal-smell-roses-accompanies-card-in-big-game.html Jeff Goodman Jeff Tedford arrived in Berkeley eight seasons ago with a few things to take care of, not the least of which was a turnaround in the Big Game. Stanford, after all, had won the annual Bay Area battle for seven consecutive years. The coach of the Cal football team has been largely successful on that front, as the Bears have won six of the last seven rivalry games. But Tedford has noticed a trend. "Every year," he said, "it seems to be more challenging." And the 112th installment of the Big Game, which takes place at Stanford Stadium, figures to be no different. On Saturday at 4:30 p.m., Cal will face a Cardinal team that has turned heads in recent weeks with commanding victories against Oregon and USC. At Monday's press conference, Tedford was the first to acknowledge his opponent's upswing. "They're probably the hottest team in the country right now," he said. "We have our hands full." Link to rest of article. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045867/san-jose-mercury-cals-defense-faces-big-challenge-in-stanford.html Jonathan Okanes Cal's defense looked a lot like it did in the past last Saturday against Arizona. That's a good thing, because the future is about to get a little problematic.  The Bears brought back memories of last year's dominant defense in their 24-16 win over the Wildcats. They'll need that kind of dominance in Saturday's Big Game at Stanford when they face arguably the hottest offense in the country. "You're always still growing, trying to find that right mix and all that kind of stuff," Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory said. "For whatever reason, it clicked on Saturday and hopefully it will keep clicking." The Wildcats came into Saturday's game with the Pac-10's leading offense (448.6 yards per game), but the Bears limited them to 274 yards. Shutting offenses down became routine last season, when Cal finished with the 23rd-ranked defense in the country. Although the Bears lost their trio of star linebackers — Zack Follett, Worrell Williams and Anthony Felder — some believed Cal's defense would be even stronger this season with the entire defensive line and secondary returning, as well as a new crop of talented but inexperienced linebackers ready to make an impact.  For most of the season, that hasn't been the case. Even with Saturday's performance, the Bears still rank seventh in the Pac-10 in total defense (372.8 ypg) and sixth in scoring defense (22.4 ppg). Link to rest of article. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045866/usa-today-pac10-starts-to-sort-out-its-rose-bowl-berth.html Link. Desire: No. 17 Stanford still can make it to the Rose Bowl with a few breaks. California can't, but that won't diminish the Golden Bears' intensity as they visit the Cardinal for this year's "Big Game." Cal's main problem will be slowing the Stanford offense, which put up 106 points combined on Oregon and Southern California in consecutive outings. RB Toby Gerhart is the primary threat with QB Andrew Luck providing balance through the air. WR Chris Owusu is his fastest target. Cal TB Shane Vereen will continue to capably fill the shoes of Jahvid Best (concussion), but QB Kevin Riley must be sharp. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045865/usa-today-picks-stanford-over-cal.html Link. No. 17 Stanford vs. California, 7:30 p.m. At the start of the year, you would have assumed a running back in this game would be a Heisman candidate. The surprise is that Toby Gerhart of the Cardinal and not Jahvid Best of the Golden Bears. Stanford 34, California 23. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045864/california-golden-bears-vs-stanford-cardinal-ncaa-pick-lucky-lester-football-picks-blog.html California Golden Bears vs Stanford Cardinal NCAA PickLucky Lester Football Picks (blog)California Golden Bears @ Stanford Cardinal (-7) NCAA Pick: This come right down to me thinking Stanford is 2 touchdowns better than Cal on any given day. ...Chronicle Live's Greg Papa talks Stanford footballExaminer.comFootball Outsiders' stats show which teams have been the least, and most ...ESPNNow, Pressure Is for Players Not to Play After a ConcussionNew York TimesSan Francisco Chronicle -TheBootleg.com (subscription) -Coversall 250 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045060/cal-bears-tailback-javhid-best-eyes-return-against-washington.html Cal tailback Jahvid Best has been ruled out of Saturday's game at Stanford, but he is eyeing a return for the regular-season final at Washington on Dec. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1044414/cal-enters-new-era-tedford-as-well-san-francisco-chronicle.html Cal enters a new era with a new Tedford, as wellSan Francisco ChronicleCal already has clinched its eighth consecutive winning season under Tedford, including one shared Pac-10 title in '06. The Bears, at 7-3, almost certainly ...Chronicle Live's Greg Papa talks Stanford footballExaminer.comFootball Outsiders' stats show which teams have been the least, and most ...ESPNLearning from PapaThe Stanford DailyDaily Californian -New York Times -San Jose Mercury Newsall 196 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042468/scoop-amp-wes-show-syracuse-95-cal-73-troy-nunes-absolute-magician-blog.html Seattle Post IntelligencerThe Scoop & Wes Show: Syracuse 95, Cal 73Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician (blog)For Syracuse fans who have been suffering through football season and had to deal with the LeMoyne blowback...tonight's win over Cal was a lot of fun. ...The Coaches Vs. Cancer sbnation Roundtable SpectacularTroy Nunes is an Absolute Magician (blog)all 169 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042467/cal-vs-stanford-college-football-odds-alert-sportsoddscom.html Sports-Odds.comCal vs Stanford College Football Odds AlertSports-Odds.comThe opening college football odds had the Stanford Cardinal -6½ points (-110 odds) against the California Golden Bears. Currently, the best college football ...NFL Odds, College Football Odds & UFC 106 PredictionsSportsbook Betting PromotionsKansas State vs Nebraska College Football Odds AlertSports-Odds.comall 3 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042466/new-era-tedford-san-francisco-chronicle.html A new era, and a new TedfordSan Francisco ChronicleCal already has clinched its eighth consecutive winning season under Tedford, including one shared Pac-10 title in '06. The Bears, at 7-3, almost certainly ...Football Outsiders' stats show which teams have been the least, and most ...ESPNThe Biggest Game: Cal-Stanford 2009 and the Bay Area Football HierarchyBleacher ReportNow, Pressure Is for Players Not to Play After a ConcussionNew York TimesDaily Californian -San Jose Mercury News -The San Francisco Examinerall 220 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1041650/there-will-be-more-at-stake-in-big-game-than-just-axe-palo-alto-online.html NCAAfootball.netThere will be more at stake in Big Game than just the AxePalo Alto OnlineCal and Stanford are both already bowl eligible, as are four other Pac-10 schools. The Bears can't win the conference title because of their loss to Oregon. ...The 'Big Game' is a big game this seasonESPNThe Biggest Game: Cal-Stanford 2009 and the Bay Area Football HierarchyBleacher ReportNow, Pressure Is for Players Not to Play After a ConcussionNew York TimesDaily Californian -CardinalReport.com (subscription) -CalSportsDigest.com (subscription)all 245 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040427/lessons-smith-rodgers.html In San Francisco, the 49ers erred by playing a spread-offense quarterback before either Alex Smith or his teammates were ready. In Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers had the good fortune of waiting and Mike McCarthy got a second chance with a talented passer. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040426/stanford-heads-into-big-game-luck-on-its-side.html Jim Harbaugh's first recruiting trip as Stanford's football coach was to Texas to visit Andrew Luck even though it would be more than a year before the quarterback could arrive on campus. Harbaugh visited three other quarterbacks on that trip but liked Luck best of all to be the quarterback to build a program around. Nothing Luck has done in his first year as a starter at Stanford has altered that opinion. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040425/stanford-heads-into-big-game-luck-on-its-side-ap.html Jim Harbaugh's first recruiting trip as Stanford's football coach was to Texas to visit Andrew Luck even though it would be more than a year before the quarterback could arrive on campus. Harbaugh visited three other quarterbacks on that trip but liked Luck best of all to be the quarterback to build a program around. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039610/coaches-vs-cancer-sbnation-roundtable-spectacular-troy-nunes-absolute-magician-blog.html The Coaches Vs. Cancer SBNation Roundtable SpectacularTroy Nunes is an Absolute Magician (blog)Cal struggled out of the gate with Murray State but rebounded against Detroit. What did you learn about the Bears in those two games and can they live up to ...and more » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039609/big-game-this-season-espn.html Los Angeles TimesThe 'Big Game' is a big game this seasonESPN"They are probably the hottest team in the country right now," Cal coach Jeff Tedford observed. Tedford's Bears, however, after tumbling from the top 10 due ...The Biggest Game: Cal-Stanford 2009 and the Bay Area Football HierarchyBleacher ReportBig Game is really big for CardinalCardinalReport.com (subscription)Not Since 1991CalSportsDigest.com (subscription)San Jose Mercury News -KTVU.com -BeaverFootball.com (subscription)all 193 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1038744/csd-tv-big-game-presser-package.html Cal and Stanford held the annual Big Game press conference on Monday highlighting one of the most storied rivalries in all of college football. With both teams ranked entering the Big Game for the time in nearly 20 years, much more is on the line than bragging rights. For the Cardinal, it’s a program revival. For the Bears, it’s about salvaging a once promising season... California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1038743/comethrough-story-1924-big-game-thebootlegcom-subscription.html TheBootleg.com (subscription)A Come-Through Story: The 1924 Big GameTheBootleg.com (subscription)He will bow to no one and accept no other game when it comes to the greatest of the Stanford- California football series. For sheer excitement that game, ... California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1038742/hate-break-roundball-roundtable-we-will-always-have-tempe.html Hate Break: Roundball RoundtableWe Will Always Have TempeLet's get to know Cal a bit better first. Ragnarok from CGB was kind enough to answer my questions. 1. Who is the one player in the Golden Bears' starting ...The Coaches Vs. Cancer SBNation Roundtable SpectacularTroy Nunes is an Absolute Magician (blog)all 6 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1038741/stanford-aching-to-get-back-axe-san-jose-mercury-news.html Los Angeles TimesStanford aching to get back The AxeSan Jose Mercury NewsCal has the best defensive front we have faced all year." The Bears have a highly touted defensive end in Tyson Alualu (6-3, 295 pounds), who leads the team ...Not Since 1991CalSportsDigest.com (subscription)Cal Visits Stanford In Pivotal Pac-10 AffairKTVU.comClardy's Corner: Unmitigated GleeBeaverFootball.com (subscription)Santa Rosa Press Democrat -Los Angeles Times -Seattle Timesall 189 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1038740/big-game-actually-this-season-espn.html The 'Big Game' actually is a big game this seasonESPN"They are probably the hottest team in the country right now," Cal coach Jeff Tedford observed. Tedford's Bears, however, after tumbling from the top-10 due ...Best Reviews His Injury and the Prospects of ReturningDaily CalifornianNow, Pressure Is for Players Not to Play After a ConcussionNew York TimesCal football coach Jeff Tedford says there's 'no chance' Jahvid Best will play ...San Jose Mercury NewsSan Francisco Chronicle -The San Francisco Examiner -TheBootleg.com (subscription)all 190 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1037878/transcript-from-jahvid-best-press-conference-espn.html Transcript from Jahvid Best press conferenceESPN7 against Oregon State following the Bears practice at Memorial Stadium on Wednesday. Best has not played in a game or practiced since suffering a severe ...and more » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1035369/crist-wants-bowden-back-as-noles-coach-bradenton-herald.html Crist wants Bowden back as Noles coachBradenton HeraldCALIFORNIA ? Star tailback Jahvid Best hopes to return for the Golden Bears season finale after being sidelined by a frightening fall and concussion. ...and more » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034445/scout-show-cal-stanford-preview.html Jon Doss of CalSportsDigest.com and Jim Rutter of theBootleg.com join the Scout Show to preview the Pac-10's top match up as Cal visits Stanford. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034444/san-jose-mercury-stanford-cals-big-game-should-finally-live-up-to-its-name.html Jon Wilner Finally, a Big Game that lives up to its name.  This, folks, is what rivalry week feels like in Eugene and Los Angeles and Columbus but something Bay Area fans haven't experienced in nearly 20 years.  Cal and Stanford are both 7-3. Both are ranked in the latest Bowl Championship Series standings. Both are bowl eligible. One team has the Rose Bowl in its sights and a Heisman Trophy candidate — it's just not the team we expected when the season began. Fresh off its beatdown of USC, Stanford is four reasonable steps from the Pac-10 title, and tailback Toby Gerhart is making a late-season charge for the Heisman. Following its best defensive performance of the season, Cal is hunting for a top-tier bowl bid and yet another eight-win season.  The way the Bears rallied to defeat then-No. 18 Arizona was enough to make you think they have a chance to beat Stanford. Well, almost enough.  In reality, the Bears have very little chance. If we've learned anything over the years, it's that the better team wins the Big Game and "anything" hardly ever happens.  Only once in the past decade has the favorite lost — and that favorite, Cal in '07, entered the Big Game with a hobbled quarterback (Nate Longshore) and five losses in its previous six games. Link to rest of article. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034443/cals-best-hopes-to-return-field-this-season-associated-press.html USA Online Gambling NewsCal's Best hopes to return to field this seasonThe Associated PressStar tailback Jahvid Best is eager to return to the football field after being sidelined by a frightening fall and concussion and has targeted California's ...Football Outsiders' stats show which teams have been the least, and most ...ESPNNow, Pressure Is for Players Not to Play After a ConcussionNew York TimesNot Since 1991CalSportsDigest.com (subscription)KTVU.com -Honolulu Advertiser -San Jose Mercury Newsall 205 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034442/best-rejoins-team-eyes-udub-return-rivalscom.html For the first time since injuring his neck and lower back area on a hard fall against Oregon State, Cal star... California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033578/since-1991.html California and Stanford are both ranked in the BCS top 25 (Stanford No. 17, Cal No. 25), and for the first time since 1991, when No. 21 Stanford hosted No. 6 Cal, the Bears and Cardinal enter the Big Game with records above .500? California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033577/new-york-times-gerhart-gives-stanford-heisman-hopeful.html Four Stanford graduates have become Supreme Court justices since the football team produced its only Heisman Trophy winner, Jim Plunkett, in 1970. Into this yawning gap burst Toby Gerhart, a senior tailback, who has insinuated himself into the Heisman conversation this month while leading Stanford to consecutive upsets of Oregon and Southern California. Gerhart, 22, has stiff-armed convention, critics and convenience while gaining 1,395 yards on 262 carries and scoring 19 touchdowns this season. The Cardinal, which has not won a national title in football since 1926, finished 1-11 in Gerhart’s freshman season. He is on a pace to finish with more than 1,800 yards for Stanford, which hosts cross-bay rival California on Saturday, is 7-3 and guaranteed its first bowl appearance since 2001. Link to rest of article.   California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1032657/stanford-oregon-are-top-dogs-in-pac-10-power-poll-betuscom.html ESPNStanford and Oregon are the Top Dogs in the PAC 10 Power PollBetUs.com5: California Golden Bears (5-5 ATS, 7-3 SU) (LW: 7) It's sort of unbelievable to fathom, but the Golden Bears are still alive in the Rose Bowl chase. ...This Week in Pac-10 FootballPac 10After loss to Cal, Wildcats prepare for OregonThe Associated PressPac-10 football: Wins by Oregon, Oregon State this week would set up a ...OregonLive.comBleacher Report -SBR Forum -CBSSports.comall 407 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1032656/audibles-who-should-be-bills-next-head-coach-tsnca.html Audibles: Who should be the Bills' next head coach?TSN.caThe former Chicago Bears defensive back has spent time under the coaching trees of Andy Reid and Tony Dungy and seems poised to take charge of his own team ...and more » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1032655/football-outsiders-stats-show-which-teams-have-been-least-most-espn.html Football Outsider's stats show which teams have been the least, and most ...ESPNJeff Tedford's Golden Bears have proved they are a capable team by beating No. 17 Arizona without Jahvid Best and scoring 94 combined points against UCLA ...Now, Pressure Is for Players Not to Play After a ConcussionNew York TimesStanford focuses on big picture against CalHonolulu AdvertiserMidweek Notebook: Week 12Daily CalifornianSan Jose Mercury News -San Francisco Chronicle -The San Francisco Examinerall 106 news articles » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031645/fox-sports-stanfordcal-its-pretty-big-this-time.html Billy Witz The surest sign that the presumptuously named Big Game is finally a big game arrived Monday with the announcement that Tiger Woods will serve as Stanford's honorary captain Saturday when Cal makes the bus trip across the bay. Who knew Tiger was as good a front-runner off the golf course as he is on it? But after the last two weeks, with demolitions of Oregon and USC, maybe Woods is a fitting flag-bearer. The Cardinal are rolling into late November with the same sort of fist-pumping swagger that he carries with him into the back nine on Sunday afternoons.  The Cardinal have been riding the punishing running of tailback Toby Gerhart, who has thrust himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation, and the cocksureness of their coach, Capt. Hubris himself, Jim Harbaugh. If it wasn't a statement enough to hang 55 points on the Trojans — more than anyone had ever scored against them — Harbaugh wanted to enhance it by attempting a late 2-point conversion. (Harbaugh and USC coach Pete Carroll have a history — Harbaugh saying two years ago that Carroll would leave for the NFL after the season; and their dueling timeouts at the end of last year's 45-23 Trojans' victory.) These eyebrow-raising victories have brought an element of seriousness to the Big Game that hasn't existed in a while. This is the first time since 2001 that both teams will be bowl-eligible and it's the first time since 1991 that Stanford (7-3, 6-2) and Cal (7-3, 4-3) enter the game at the seven-win plateau. Link to rest of article.   California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031644/daily-cal-midweek-notebook-week-12.html Matt Kawahara The first visible signs that this is Big Game week were out at practice on Tuesday, although coach Jeff Tedford said that the Cal football team won't fully address the history of its rivalry with Stanford until later in the week. As per tradition, the Bears' scout team players decorated their helmets with materials like white tape, red "S" logos and Stanford trees. Still, Tedford said that he doesn't typically sense a different feel in practice until it gets close to Saturday --- and that he prefers a more focused mood for the first couple of days, anyway. "As the week goes on, (the excitement) starts to escalate throughout the week," Tedford said. "Early in the week they're just trying to comprehend what the game plan is, what we're trying to get done. ... (Lingering soreness from the previous weekend's game) seems to dissipate as the week goes on, and the enthusiasm just increases."  Tedford said that the team will likely bring the Axe -- which Cal recaptured last season after losing it in 2007 to end a five-year winning streak -- out to practice on Thursday or Friday. The Bears will attend the annual Bonfire Rally on Friday night, the same day that Tedford will tell the team a little about the history of the Axe and the importance of the rivalry -- mainly for the benefit of the freshmen. Link to rest of article. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031643/sf-chronicle-memories-big-game-loss-linger.html Ron Kroichick   Cal has won the Big Game in six of the past seven years. The one time the Bears lost during that stretch, 20-13 at Stanford Stadium in 2007, the empty feeling left a lasting impression on offensive tackle Mike Tepper and running back Shane Vereen.  "That was probably the worst feeling I've ever had at Cal," said Tepper, who has been in the program six years. "Going 0-6 against USC is pretty bad, but losing the Axe in '07 was the worst feeling. It tears you apart. It means a lot to us." Vereen, who will start Saturday in place of the injured Jahvid Best, was a true freshman in 2007. He redshirted that season, so Vereen didn't even suit up for the Big Game. Still, he quickly learned all about the rivalry.  "I just remember being on the field and all their fans storming the field and yelling and going crazy," he said. "That's the worst feeling you can have - people beating you and then throwing it in your face." Research project: Tepper wants to make sure Cal's young players understand the history and tradition of the Big Game. So he "assigned" freshman center Mark Brazinski to write a six- to eight-page paper on the history of the Stanford Axe, due Tuesday. Link to rest of article. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031642/new-york-times-now-pressure-for-players-to-play-after-concussion.html Alan Schwarz Messages sent to the University of California athletic office over the past two weeks have not implored team doctors to put the Bears’ star running back, Jahvid Best, back on the field to help Cal against archrival Stanford this Saturday.  Instead, they generally scolded the university and coaches for allowing Best, currently sidelined with a concussion, to play Nov. 7 against Oregon State. A harrowing neck-first crash to the turf in that game not only knocked him unconscious but it put him onto a stretcher and into an Oakland hospital overnight. The concussion was reported as Best’s second in eight days, leading many — having heard recent horror stories of football players’ brain damage — to question whether Best, 20, was put in unreasonable danger. “The consistent theme is, What kind of example are we setting here for my son who’s in high school, who looks up to Jahvid as a role model, when he is sent back to play after supposedly a concussion of some severity?” said Dr. Brad Buchman, Cal’s supervising team physician. “The impression from the public is that he was quote-unquote sent back too fast.”  Buchman added, “You know you’re doing all the right things, and the perception is that you are not.”  Best’s concussion has invited new scrutiny, which Buchman noticed immediately. He said that ever since a study sponsored by the N.F.L. was released two months ago, concussions have become “a buzzword now” that the public expects to be heeded. That study indicated that dementia and other memory-related diseases had been diagnosed in the league’s retired players several times more often than in the national population. The study also sparked a Congressional committee to hold a hearing on football brain injuries among players of all ages. The primary point of contention around Berkeley is whether Best had sustained a concussion in the game before his more serious injury. Best remarked to the news media after missing two days of practice that trainers had told him he had sustained a concussion. Buchman and the associate football team physician, Dr. Casey Batten, however, said that they later determined that Best’s headache and dizziness were merely from a cold, and that he was cleared for the Arizona State game appropriately.   Link to rest of article. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031641/san-jose-mercury-stanford-aching-to-get-back-axe.html Cal has something Stanford wants — The Axe.  The Bears' rally committee will guard it while the Cardinal and Bears vie in the 112th Big Game at Stanford Stadium on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. No. 14 Stanford (7-3, 6-2 Pac-10) is a touchdown favorite, the first time it has been favored over the Bears (7-3, 4-3 Pac-10) since 2001. Stanford, which has an outside shot to land in the Rose Bowl, leads the all-time series 55-45-11.  "We have our hands full and have a great challenge with this Cal team," Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said. "They have an identity on both sides of the ball. Their special teams are very impressive to watch. Cal has the best defensive front we have faced all year." The Bears have a highly touted defensive end in Tyson Alualu (6-3, 295 pounds), who leads the team in sacks with six.  "Alualu is the best defensive lineman in the Pac-10," Harbaugh said. "They have great linebackers. They put pressure on in so many different ways." The Cardinal has been on a major roll with back-to-back wins over then No. 7 Oregon 51-42, followed by a second-half thrashing of then No. 11 USC 55-21. The 55 points were the most scored against the Trojans in their storied history. "Stanford is the hottest team in the country right now," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. "It's unbelievably impressive what they have done. They play so physical. Their offensive line is the best offensive line in the conference. They have physical tight ends. What Stanford has done is no fluke. There is nothing flukish about those games. Those were dominating performances. It was probably the most impressive I've seen — what they did against Oregon and USC." Link to rest of article. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031640/stanford-football-improved-dollies-so-much.html Link. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031639/cgb-report-card-grading-cals-performance-against-arizona-california-golden-blogs-blog.html CGB Report Card: Grading Cal's Performance Against ArizonaCalifornia Golden Blogs (blog)So, to Carp and zoonews, I present to you a few tricks from a seasoned Cal dad. Use these to ensure your kids never get in the way of Cal football. ... California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031638/college-football-picks-week-12-pointspreadscom.html Point-Spreads.comCollege Football Picks Week 12Point-Spreads.comThe Bears, stuck in sixth place with a 4-3 league record, have not fared well against the better teams in the conference, with the exception of last week's ...and more » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1030533/big-bears-running-machine-bear-grizzly.html Big Bear's running machineBig Bear GrizzlyRare because the Big Bear varsity football coach usually spends Sundays watching films, devising game plans and thinking about the Bears' upcoming game. ...and more » California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1030532/for-hinder-inspiration-all-in-family-espn.html For Hinder, inspiration is all in the familyESPNBut Hinder, a University of California commit, is just the second football player in school history to earn a scholarship to a Division I program. ... California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates