Take the over. Were finishing in the top half of the conference and in contention for the pac-12 north. Well lose out by a game or two. That sets ourselves up for higher expectations in 2023.
The word is out on Wilcox and his brutal offense. Until he starts putting a competent and consistent offense on the field, the media is going to view Cal with skepticism. And rightly so.
I am actually cautiously optimistic that the O won’t be any worse, despite the pundits and massive losses. None of the guys we lost, including Garbers, are irreplaceable…the O struggled with them anyway….
I actually like Plummer & think he’s got a shot to be a solid game manager type that makes some throws, as long as the O-line is at least passable. If the OL is garbage, the O will struggle.
Oregon chokes in Big games, even losing to Cal in 2020 and almost losing to Cal in 2021.
Oregon State will probably fall back to earth a bit.
Stanford has a dearth of talent and/or Shaw has lost his mojo. I don't know why they are ranked above Cal.
UCLA: We'll see if Chip can sustain the progress.
I would put Cal sixth on the basis of our defense, which is supposed to be amongst the best units in the conference. If our offense can be average we'll win 7+ games.
I agree 100% with the forecast. You hope it's wrong, but if the forecast is a reflection of what people who are not affiliated with Cal think of the football program, it's 100% correct. If the word on street is always "prove it to me on the field and not on paper," Cal has a lot to prove. Do most people even know that Cal has had a LOSING record in conference play for 12 years in a row??? 12 years, people. How many winning conference records in the last 12 years have the conference teams had, despite any issues noted above?
USC 11
Oregon 10
Stanford 10
Utah 8
UW 8
UCLA 6
WSU 5
Arizona State 6
Oregon State 2
Arizona 2
Colorado 1
Cal 0!
Seems like the media knows exactly what they are saying, it's a prediction. Cal needs to prove them wrong on the field. Until that happens, nothing changes.
You look at Stanford's continued excellence despite a recent downtown and you really can't blame the pundits for picking them over Cal this season. Great chart, but kind of shocking that the guy who had the most 0-fers had his contract extended for several years.
Though trending in the wrong direction after a 1-2 Non-Con last year and 0 Non-Con games in '20.
I get that Wilcox is good for the academics, good for the kids, stability, blah blah blah...but the guy needs to win more football games. Another 5-7 season next year, he is on the hot seat, extension or not.
Totally agree. All of the great Cal offenses (1990-91) (1996) and (2001-2006) have come from offensive minded coaches. Wilcox has repeatedly shown he does not get that side of the ball and has been willing to settle with his coaching selections and play calling. Maybe that's why he carries a 15-25 conference record in a league that has always showcased offensive production. And maybe that's why Brooks and Remigio chose to transfer when they could have been leaders on this year's offense. I know I am going to hear some retorts of maybe they left because of the immense talent level of guys coming in like Ott, Studivant, Anderson and Hunter. Let's see it on the field.
If he doesn't play a down in the NFL, he still had a hell of a final year at MSU while setting a school record and earning third team all SEC. Doubt he is regretting the decision to leave Cal.
During Tedford years, most guys graduated in 5 years and they could play all 4 eligible years but ever since Dykes came, they've been graduating in 4 years and majorities of them grad-transferred for their final season of eligibility. I don't think it's easy to get into graduate programs at Berkeley
Take the over. Were finishing in the top half of the conference and in contention for the pac-12 north. Well lose out by a game or two. That sets ourselves up for higher expectations in 2023.
So much depends
On the quarterback
Glistening with rainwater
Beside the white chickens
Great. Ezra Pound. Heh.
I think the poets who best reflect Cal football are Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Hart Crane and Thomas Chatteron all of whom commuted suicide.
I actually meant to go for WCW, Red Wheelbarrow, but I messed up and said glistening instead of glazed. What’s the Pound poem?
Ha! Most read poem at college graduations, supposedly.
The word is out on Wilcox and his brutal offense. Until he starts putting a competent and consistent offense on the field, the media is going to view Cal with skepticism. And rightly so.
And we have the most unproven offense of the Wilcox era.
Unproven but with tons of talent. Don't let caveats ruin optimism and unbridled sunshine pumping, especially at this time of year.
Et tu, Peety, et tu?? ;-)
I am actually cautiously optimistic that the O won’t be any worse, despite the pundits and massive losses. None of the guys we lost, including Garbers, are irreplaceable…the O struggled with them anyway….
I actually like Plummer & think he’s got a shot to be a solid game manager type that makes some throws, as long as the O-line is at least passable. If the OL is garbage, the O will struggle.
Simplify things and run a 100% ground game with the triple option.
We don't have the line.
Chalkboard material!!!!!
(updated: whiteboard w flavored pens material!!!)
We need to earn the respect on the field. First off, a good showing at Notre Dame to prove national relevance.
Then, take care of business at Memorial with UW, Oregon, Stanford and UCLA coming to town.
Go Bears!
I disagree with the forecast.
USC has a lot to prove after years of mediocrity.
Oregon chokes in Big games, even losing to Cal in 2020 and almost losing to Cal in 2021.
Oregon State will probably fall back to earth a bit.
Stanford has a dearth of talent and/or Shaw has lost his mojo. I don't know why they are ranked above Cal.
UCLA: We'll see if Chip can sustain the progress.
I would put Cal sixth on the basis of our defense, which is supposed to be amongst the best units in the conference. If our offense can be average we'll win 7+ games.
I agree 100% with the forecast. You hope it's wrong, but if the forecast is a reflection of what people who are not affiliated with Cal think of the football program, it's 100% correct. If the word on street is always "prove it to me on the field and not on paper," Cal has a lot to prove. Do most people even know that Cal has had a LOSING record in conference play for 12 years in a row??? 12 years, people. How many winning conference records in the last 12 years have the conference teams had, despite any issues noted above?
USC 11
Oregon 10
Stanford 10
Utah 8
UW 8
UCLA 6
WSU 5
Arizona State 6
Oregon State 2
Arizona 2
Colorado 1
Cal 0!
Seems like the media knows exactly what they are saying, it's a prediction. Cal needs to prove them wrong on the field. Until that happens, nothing changes.
You look at Stanford's continued excellence despite a recent downtown and you really can't blame the pundits for picking them over Cal this season. Great chart, but kind of shocking that the guy who had the most 0-fers had his contract extended for several years.
He's also nearly undefeated OOC, which is why his overall record averages out to close to .500.
Though trending in the wrong direction after a 1-2 Non-Con last year and 0 Non-Con games in '20.
I get that Wilcox is good for the academics, good for the kids, stability, blah blah blah...but the guy needs to win more football games. Another 5-7 season next year, he is on the hot seat, extension or not.
That’s been the thing with Wilcox in his 5 years…”IF the offense can be average.” It has yet to be, and is now replacing pretty much everyone.
Hopefully Plummer can limit turnovers and make some plays, as even an average P5 offense wins 8 games with this D.
Totally agree. All of the great Cal offenses (1990-91) (1996) and (2001-2006) have come from offensive minded coaches. Wilcox has repeatedly shown he does not get that side of the ball and has been willing to settle with his coaching selections and play calling. Maybe that's why he carries a 15-25 conference record in a league that has always showcased offensive production. And maybe that's why Brooks and Remigio chose to transfer when they could have been leaders on this year's offense. I know I am going to hear some retorts of maybe they left because of the immense talent level of guys coming in like Ott, Studivant, Anderson and Hunter. Let's see it on the field.
Makai Polk would be a better example.
You are right. Went on to set a school record at MSU with 105 receptions last year.
Then went undrafted which was the primary reason why he left Cal, to improve draft position.
I was actually surprised he went undrafted, given his production in the SEC, albeit with Air Raid...but his 40-time was dreadful.
If he doesn't play a down in the NFL, he still had a hell of a final year at MSU while setting a school record and earning third team all SEC. Doubt he is regretting the decision to leave Cal.
They probably left because they graduated.
Can't stay in a graduate program at Cal?
During Tedford years, most guys graduated in 5 years and they could play all 4 eligible years but ever since Dykes came, they've been graduating in 4 years and majorities of them grad-transferred for their final season of eligibility. I don't think it's easy to get into graduate programs at Berkeley
Davis Webb did it from Texas Tech. I think there are a few others that followed that path.
They have to be admitted.
But I have heard of some guys who have graduated being in certificate programs.
9th in the conference? More like 9th in the nation.
9th in Nation? Don’t sell us short!!!!
Pump the Sunshine!!! Go Bears!!!
Hear Hear! Especially after the upset of Notre Dame in South Bend.
Seeing Cal at 9th makes me feel like Bugs Bunny when he found out that the bounty for rabbits was only two cents.
"You'll be hearing from me!"