Browning continues to improve but he needs the OL's run-blocking because he won't be able to win games with his arm against most Pac-12 teams.
Special Teams have looked pretty good and the whole team plays much cleaner than last year so that helps. We may need big kick / punt returns if the O can't entirely keep up with Cal's.
I'm not down on Mathis at all. He had a very good game against Boise State. He's more of a run stopping DE who can rush the passer. He probably won't get 12 sacks like Andrew Hudson did last year, but he's still a significant upgrade at DE.
The defense has changed this year. Feeney doesn't seem to blitz nearly as often as Kikaha did. On thing I have noticed is that when bringing 4, Feeney and Littleton line up as stand up DE's in a 5-2 and disguise which one is coming.
Pass rush will be much more vital this weekend. Keaton isn't a good enough passer to pick a defense apart. Goff has shown that he is and they will need to get better pressure.
Comments
The defense has changed this year. Feeney doesn't seem to blitz nearly as often as Kikaha did. On thing I have noticed is that when bringing 4, Feeney and Littleton line up as stand up DE's in a 5-2 and disguise which one is coming.
Pass rush will be much more vital this weekend. Keaton isn't a good enough passer to pick a defense apart. Goff has shown that he is and they will need to get better pressure.