It’s March 1. You know what that means? It’s almost time for Spring Ball.

The Cal football team has much to prove. Much to prove. I think Jeff Tedford has much to prove next year. Especially considering the fact that the Bears’ most recent recruiting class isn’t as star-studded or as eye-opening as it was in the past.

And no one should forget that monumental collapse that Cal suffered at the end of last season. An Armed Forces Bowl win over a so-so non-BCS team led by a young, exciting quarterback shouldn’t give Bears fans rose-colored glasses (in more than one sense of the word, if you get my drift).

In ESPN’s little spring prospectus, Cal is coming in as the sixth best team in the Pac-10. That’s a mighty fall for a team that on Oct. 8 of last year was ranked No. 2 in the country.

It’s going to be a busy spring for this Bears program and for Tedford. Because of the success the team has had before last year, whether or not Tedford picks Kevin Riley or Nate Longshore to be the starting quarterback will have the eyes of at least most of the nation on Berkeley during Spring Ball and Fall camp.

What I don’t buy from that ESPN story I link to up there is the fact that Cal needs to find legitimate replacement at receiver and tailback. The Bears have a relatively proven stable of backs. Jahvid Best and James Montgomery should split time (given that Best is fully healed from his hip injury) and should be able to carry the load for a team that likes to run the ball first.

As for the receivers, sure they’re not going to bring the wow factor that DeSean Jackson, Robert Jordan and Lavelle Hawkins had, but they’ve got speed, Florida-transfer Nyan Boateng should give Cal some star-power, and Jeremy Ross and LaReylle Cunningham have seen time on the field last year. They should do just fine.

Another major adjustment is that Tedford won’t be calling the plays next year. That’s going to be up to new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. How the team adjusts to that is going to be crucial this spring.

It’s going to be a busy spring.

• Cal football spring practice begins March 17.
• April 12 practice open to the public as part of Cal Day.

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