Cal's offense is very young, There's depth at the WR positions and TE. The two starting tackles last week are freshmen and they did a reasonable job. They can only get better as the season progresses. Mendoza is a sophomore and most of the running back depth are lower classmen. I'm very optimistic for the future. Thanks for the article. After reading it I also felt optimistic.
As usual you make some excellent points. Although you listed the bad, and there was plenty, with the good, I was still somewhat encouraged at the end. I would, however, like to make a small addition to one point: "This is the best Cal football team Justin Wilcox has ever had" DESPITE JUSTIN WILCOX. Now, if Justin will just get out of the way.
Maybe they’re using AI and should be using the #Calgorithm.
Do any of these sound familiar:
Cal is driving and picking up small chunks running and with short passes and suddenly they go for a low percentage long pass on first down that’s an incompletion, on second down it’s another incompletions and third down it’s the same.
Or…what they’re doing is working and the opponent’s not stopping the Bears and then suddenly they switch it up. It was working - don’t change what you’re doing until it’s shown that they can stop you.
Or…they open up the game running outside and lose yardage twice and then don’t get the yards needed on third down. And it looks like if they would’ve run up the gut it they could’ve been
In third and short.
Or…the pass plays are low percentage completion plays that are well covered. It doesn’t feel like favorable matchups are being exploited. It feels like “maybe this play will work?”
Okay, I’m armchair QB-ing, but I’d like to be able to say more often “now that was solid play calling by the Bears, but I don’t feel that I can say that.”
"By all advanced metrics, this is the best Cal football team Justin Wilcox has ever had."
Between the indefensible game/time management, poor play calling and undisciplined play, Wilcox and his staff completely bungled the season and opportunity. There are legitimately 5 draftable guys on defense (Williams, Harris, Woodson, Cade, Teddy) and maybe a few more UDFA types. On offense, Ott will be drafted, Mendoza is playing his way into getting NFL looks, and the RBs and WRs are as deep as it's been since the Sonny days (even if it's missing some talent at the top).
Still playing that same old tired song. Given the portal and NIL the future is NOW!
Cal's offense is very young, There's depth at the WR positions and TE. The two starting tackles last week are freshmen and they did a reasonable job. They can only get better as the season progresses. Mendoza is a sophomore and most of the running back depth are lower classmen. I'm very optimistic for the future. Thanks for the article. After reading it I also felt optimistic.
One word: Portal. There is no future if there is no now.
As usual you make some excellent points. Although you listed the bad, and there was plenty, with the good, I was still somewhat encouraged at the end. I would, however, like to make a small addition to one point: "This is the best Cal football team Justin Wilcox has ever had" DESPITE JUSTIN WILCOX. Now, if Justin will just get out of the way.
"It was our easiest game of the season"
7-1 UC Davis getting some respect!
Davis is top 5 FCS
The issue is the play calling.
Maybe they’re using AI and should be using the #Calgorithm.
Do any of these sound familiar:
Cal is driving and picking up small chunks running and with short passes and suddenly they go for a low percentage long pass on first down that’s an incompletion, on second down it’s another incompletions and third down it’s the same.
Or…what they’re doing is working and the opponent’s not stopping the Bears and then suddenly they switch it up. It was working - don’t change what you’re doing until it’s shown that they can stop you.
Or…they open up the game running outside and lose yardage twice and then don’t get the yards needed on third down. And it looks like if they would’ve run up the gut it they could’ve been
In third and short.
Or…the pass plays are low percentage completion plays that are well covered. It doesn’t feel like favorable matchups are being exploited. It feels like “maybe this play will work?”
Okay, I’m armchair QB-ing, but I’d like to be able to say more often “now that was solid play calling by the Bears, but I don’t feel that I can say that.”
"By all advanced metrics, this is the best Cal football team Justin Wilcox has ever had."
Between the indefensible game/time management, poor play calling and undisciplined play, Wilcox and his staff completely bungled the season and opportunity. There are legitimately 5 draftable guys on defense (Williams, Harris, Woodson, Cade, Teddy) and maybe a few more UDFA types. On offense, Ott will be drafted, Mendoza is playing his way into getting NFL looks, and the RBs and WRs are as deep as it's been since the Sonny days (even if it's missing some talent at the top).
Voice of reason, as usual. Thanks.
This Cal team could legitimately beat, or lose to, any team in the conference, home or away.
Go Bears! Win the Bye. Bear the Demon Deacons