After a 2-2 start to the season, the Bears are rallying together to set up for a second half of domination.
It has been four long seasons since Cal football has reached a bowl game — and, more importantly, four long seasons since fans have celebrated a winning season.
I can’t help but wonder what happened to the Bears and Cal head coach Justin Wilcox post-pandemic.
From 2017 to 2019, Wilcox took the Bears to a respectable 20-18 record with back-to-back bowl game appearances.
Since 2020, Cal has managed to compile 12 wins. Yes, just 12 wins … in 32 games. For all the football nerds out there, that’s an abysmal 37.5 win percentage, practically on par with the Cleveland Browns’ win percentage over the past decade — absolutely absurd.
But the dark days are over! Help is here!
After working the transfer portal and bringing in offensive playmakers such as wide receiver Taj Davis, quarterbacks Sam Jackson V and Ben Finley and running back Isaiah Ifanse, the Bears’ offense looks promising — even with their kicking woes and identity crisis at the quarterback position.
What’s more, Cal flaunts NFL talent in sophomore star running back Jaydn Ott.
Just four games into the young season, the Bears sit at an even .500 record as they push for a bowl game. With Arizona State and Oregon State up next for Cal, 4-2 is very much attainable, as I have the Bears going 6-3 to finish out the season, giving them an 8-5 record.
Defense wins championships, and Cal defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon has his defense living up to that motto. The Bears have forced 11 turnovers, giving their offense ample opportunities to win games.
Unfortunately, Cal’s eight offensive turnovers on the season— six interceptions and two fumbles — combined with the inability to score a field goal from 40-plus yards, limits its full potential.
Nonetheless, I can’t wait to see Jackson fully unleashed on this offense. As much as Finley may be the Bears’ true passer, Jackson makes the offense so much more dynamic.
Cal has shown the ability to dominate its run game behind its three-headed backfield with Ott, Ifanse and Ashton Stredick. Sprinkle in Jackson’s rushing ability, and you have an offense that allows Cal’s offensive coordinator Jake Spavital to open up the playbook with play-actions and rollouts.
I’m not entirely sure why Cal continues to have a seemingly never-ending rotation between Jackson and Finley, but an eye test suggests that the offense looks much more smooth with Jackson at the helm. If the Bears give the keys to Jackson and continue their impressive run game paired with their ability to create turnovers, don’t be surprised when Cal upsets one of the Pac-12 juggernauts.
Speaking of the Pac-12 — or should I say the Pac-2 — Cal is in one of its most important seasons ever. This season is a great opportunity for the blue and gold to head into the ACC with a head of steam as they look to take on the Atlantic coast.
I can just imagine the confidence Cal would have as it transitioned over to the ACC with a bowl game and victories over No. 8 USC, No. 9 Oregon and No. 10 Utah.
The Bears’ departure from the Pac-12 means no more yearly matchups against their usual opponents. However, Cal’s biggest rival, Stanford, will follow it to the ACC, meaning Cal continues to take on the Cardinal as a conference opponent.
Regardless, the focus remains on the 2023 season. I’m sure many collegiate fans, and most definitely odd makers, will write this Cal team off — but the Bears won’t write back.
In short, the Bears are still responsible for showing up on Saturdays and executing their game plan if they have hopes of handing out upsets.
Remember, don’t count your eggs before they hatch — or maybe do, if you’re a Cal fan.
Contact Eric Hayrapetian at Eric.hayrapetian@gmail.com
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