Best Won’t Play in Poinsettia Bowl

California’s star running back Jahvid Best will not play in the team’s bowl game, the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.  He is still recovery after that tremendous fall and concussion he sustained in the Oregon State game back on November 7th.

Head coach Jeff Tedford said that Best is feeling better, but there is not enough time from now until the game for him to be ready to go at full speed.  The Poinsettia Bowl is next Wednesday and the Golden Bears will be playing Utah.

Best has not practiced since the injury and was forced to miss the final three games of Cal’s regular season.  He finished the season with 16 touchdowns on 867 yards rushing.  While only a junior, he may opt for the NFL draft this spring instead of returning to Cal for his senior season.

It’s too bad that Cal will be missing their best player for the game against the Utes, but with the latest bowl game odds Cal is still a 3.5 point favorite.  You have to wonder how many bowl picks will be on Utah though now that this news has been released.