ESPN College Football

When Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory explains what he lost from his linebacking corps, you might wince if you're a Bears fan -- until you really put things in perspective.

"Our guys were really good," Gregory says. "And it hurts to lose them. I mean, we lost our linebackers -- but they weren't USC's linebackers."

The man's just being honest.

It's no disrespect to Anthony Felder, Zack Follett and Worrell Williams, the outgoing linebackers who helped make Cal's transition to the 3-4 so successful and players Gregory thinks the world of. But if you consider where the USC trio of Rey Maualuga, Clay Matthews Jr. and Brian Cushing was drafted -- none lower than No. 38 overall -- in terms of raw draft placement, nobody can really compare.

So forgive Gregory for his frankness. That said, he has quietly put together an exceptional run and turned this program known for Jeff Tedford's offensive prowess into one of the best defensive units in the country, year in and year out. If only USC weren't around. In three of the past five years, including last season, Cal finished second to the Trojans in scoring defense.

This year, the team is primed to top the Trojans.

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