No. 8 California

If USC has a serious challenger in the Pac-10, it’s these guys. California returns players who accounted for 98 percent of its rushing yards, 99 percent of its passing yards, 92 percent of its receiving yards, 46 of 49 offensive touchdowns, 27 of its 32 sacks and 12 of its 15 interceptions from last season.

Coach Jeff Tedford will turn back to Nate Longshore as his quarterback. Longshore, a 2003 Parade All-American who redshirted in 2004, opened last season as the starter before an ankle injury in Game 1 finished him for the year. Joe Ayoob, who started most of the way, and Steve Levy, who took over just before the end of the season and led the Bears to victory in both his starts, also return. Redshirt freshman Kyle Reed is in the mix, as well.

With tailbacks Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett both back for ’06, one football just doesn’t seem like enough. Lynch roared for 1,246 yards at 6.4 per carry; Forsett netted 999 yards, averaging 7.6. The two combined for 16 rushing touchdowns. And all of the top receivers are back, led by DeSean Jackson with 38 catches, seven for scores, in 2005.

The offensive line has taken some graduation hits, but returnees Scott Smith and Erik Robertson should solidify the unit. The defensive line is the nation’s best, with four regulars and six of the top seven contributors back. Ends Nu’u Tafisi and Phillip Mbakogu and All-America tackle Brandon Mebane return to wreak yet more havoc in opponents’ backfields.

Linebacker Desmond Bishop is back after leading the 2005 Bears in tackles, while Daymeion Hughes, a first-team All-Pac-10 returnee, and Tim Mixon are as fine a pair of cornerbacks as there is in the league.

California opens its 2006 campaign in Knoxville, taking on the Tennessee Vols, and closes at home in the Big Game against Stanford. But the Nov. 18 clash at USC could be even bigger.

Athlon’s Pick: Second in the Pac-10

Returning starters
7 offense, 6 defense, placekicker

Ground attack
The 2005 Golden Bears finished ninth in the nation in rushing with 235 yards per game.

Three-year mark
Cal’s 26 wins over the last three years comprise the best three-year stretch since the 27 wins the Golden Bears posted in 1949-51.

Lighting it up
Each of coach Jeff Tedford’s four California teams has averaged at least 32 points per game.

2006 Schedule
S. 2 at Tennessee
S. 9 Minnesota
S. 16 Portland State
S. 23 Arizona State
S. 30 at Oregon State
O. 7 Oregon
O. 14 at Washington State
O. 21 Washington
N. 4 UCLA
N. 11 at Arizona
N. 18 at USC
D. 2 Stanford

2005 results (8–4, 4–4 Pac-10)
S. 3 Sacramento St. W 41– 3
S. 10 at Washington W 56–17
S. 17 Illinois W 35–20
S. 23 at N. Mexico St. W 41–13
O. 1 Arizona W 28– 0
O. 8 at UCLA L 40–47
O. 15 Oregon State L 20–23
O. 22 Wash. State W 42–38
N. 5 at Oregon L 20–27
N. 12 USC L 10–35
N. 19 at Stanford W 27– 3
D. 22 #BYU W 35–28
#Las Vegas Bowl