After some early success in the 2000’s, it’s been a bunch of so-so years for the Golden Bears.  The team has been around the .500 mark for the past three seasons and is hoping to change that trend this year.

Offense:  Cal brings back quarterback Zach Maynard, who is coming off of a strong second half of the 2011 season.  The Buffalo transfer ended up throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, but also threw up 12 picks.

What won’t be that great of a help to Maynard is that an inexperienced group of wide receivers returns. Luckily for the senior signal caller, his half-brother, Keenan Allen, an All-Pac-12 first-team selection, returns.  Allen caught 98 passes for 1,322 yards and six scores last year.  Because the rest of the receivers on the squad have a combined four career catches, the Bears brought in numerous wide outs in this year’s recruiting class and they’ll be looked at for immediate help.

The running game should be in good shape tho, as Isi Sofele is back.  He rushed for 1,322 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.  His backups are just as talented and waiting for their moments to shine.

Defense: The Cal defense has been the league’s top defense the past two seasons, but with only five starters returning, this could be an interesting year. The biggest loss is Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Mychal Kendricks. He, along with another starting linebacker, both starting defensive ends, as well as both starting safeties, are also gone.

Aaron Tipoti is set to have a breakout season at nose tackle.  The corners are in good hands with good, experienced upperclassmen in Marc Anthony and Steve Williams returning.  The linebackers are young but have loads of potential.

Recruiting: 13 of the 17 members of the class are from California, including the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in quarterback Zach Kline.  But it will be the class of five receivers who will be looked upon to do the damage early.  Leading the troops is five-star Bryce Treggs, who grabbed 70 balls for 1,377 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Darius Powe, a four-star, will be vital, as well as Cedric Dozer and Kenny Lawler.  Linebacker Michael Barton and DB Raymond Ford look to lead the defensive signees.

Schedule: It looks like it might be another record around .500, as a non-con game at Ohio State looms.  One good thing for the Bears is they get seven home games, including tilts against Oregon, UCLA, Stanford and Washington at home.  A four week stretch beginning Oct.20 against Stanford might define the season, as they host the Cardinal, travel to Utah, and host UW and Oregon in four consecutive weeks