(Written by kencraw)

I don’t know anything beyond what other reporters are reporting (I haven’t been going to the press-conferences this year), but it seems from what I’ve read that Longshore is going to start. In fact, I think the only reason there is any doubt is because Tedford loves playing mind games with his opponents. But just to be comprehensive here are the various words on the street:

Jonathan Okanes – CC Times:

Tedford said he may have quarterback Nate Longshore do a little more in practice today. Longshore has just been participating in the mental side of practice since suffering a sprained ankle against Oregon. I asked Tedford how much Longshore would have to test out the ankle before Saturday’s game against Oregon State.

“It’s getting better every day,” Tedford said. “We just don’t want to have a setback. He’s taken every mental rep. He’s calling every play. He’s staying ready.”

Chris Nguon – Rivals:

Longshore took a handful of reps early in practice and seemed to step into throws just fine.

Despite his ankle still being a little sore though, Tedford mentioned that he expects Longshore to be ready come Saturday.

“His ankle is getting better everyday,” Tedford said. “We just don’t want to do something stupid to set him back again.”

Rusty Simmons – SF Chronicle:

coach Jeff Tedford still isn’t sure whether he’ll be able to play against Oregon State on Saturday.

“He’s making progress,” Tedford said. “It’ll go right up to game time. We’ll see; I really have no idea.”

Tedford said pain and mobility will both be taken into account. The biggest problem the iffy right ankle can cause a right-handed quarterback is planting and pushing off the foot on throws.

Longshore, who maintains he’ll be ready, appeared to handle all of those aspects OK. After gingerly walking down the stadium steps to get to practice, Longshore showed off his footwork to Tedford while the rest of the team stretched.

Longshore was a little hesitant on some of his drops, but he threw crisp passes. He had been throwing regularly, but he got his first five snaps with the first-team offense in nearly two weeks.

My guess is that not only will Longshore start, but that we’ll have no idea he was ever injured once he takes the first snap. Tedford has been really conservative with injured players the last couple years after too many players were hampered by injuries for the whole season when rushing back too quick in his first few seasons as head coach. As such, he spends a lot of time telling everyone how unlikely it is that players will be playing when they’re pretty likely to be starting. I will say this, if Cal opens up a sizeable lead and Longshore is experiencing any pain, we may get our first real glimpse of Riley. Let’s hope he looks better than he did in his VERY limited action to date (and I want to be clear that it is unfair to judge him on so few throws).