FanHouse NyanBoateng

We've already spent a good chunk of FanHouse real estate covering the Golden Bears and the likelihood of their mediocrity in 2008. But in the interest of equal time (and bet hedging), it seems only fair for us to explore the other side of the argument as well. After all, this team has spent their fair share of time in Top 25 the past few seasons, even if they have managed to lose more than a few seemingly winnable/gimme games.

Jeff Tedford's team enters this season as the prototypical wild card: (a) they've been successful the past few seasons but have seemed to struggle under the weight of high expectations, and this year will have a decidedly lower profile than they did the past couple; (b) they have some key departures, but several of the replacements for those who left could actually prove to be a substantial upgrade by the time everything shakes out; and (c) they have a schedule that sees all but one of their tough games take place at the comfy confines of Berkeley's Memorial Coliseum.

Let's take a closer look at how Cal might manage to shock the "experts" and contend in 2008.

California transfer Nyan Boateng hadn't even left Gainesville for Berkeley before he found trouble, as the future Golden Bear wide receiver was arrested last week and "charged with burglary residence, battery and criminal mischief," according to the Contra Costa Times.

The former Florida Gator--and the only one in the Cal program who can claim a National Championship--allegedly attempted to enter a former girlfriend's residence last Thursday, was refused entry then kicked the door in.

Cal Head Coach Jeff Tedford is "aware of the situation" and has suspended Boateng from all team activities while he "gathers more information." Even if he had stayed on the good side of the law, the transfer would have had to sit out the 2007 season, so the news has little impact on the program other than the schadenfreude felt by Stanford alumni.