This is the perfect year for this prediction to occur. Since the season most likely won’t happen, we won’t have to watch the bears start off 5-0, get crushed by $¢, then hobble to a 6-6 finish, deflated under the balloon of high expectations.
Seems to me, it's basically another signal of our increased competitiveness with it being the most positive in many years. A positive with real gravitas versus frequent years where such predictions were much more of a stretch.
Hell yeah, and may the increased national hype and realistic expectations reach our 2021 offers who are wondering if they should pick between CAL, furd, usc, oregon, wash, etc..
Hmm, the closest we've been to 11-1 was 10-2, 15 years ago, with All-Americans Marshawn Lynch, Desean Jackson, and Daymeion Hughes, 3rd Team All-Americans Desmond Bishop and Brandon Mebane, and first round pick (and likely NFL Hall of Famer) Alex Mack. I don't quite see that level of talent here right now, but sure, I'll take a hypothetical 11-1 for 2020. And its all relative. And because Cal, its best team after a decade and a half of frustration would arrive during a pandemic.
Even if a season is played, some of the reasoning for Cal having the advantage in toss-up games (aka home advantage) may not be applicable to this year (if it's played in front of a limited or zero audience).
Yup, its a huge issue many will miss with practices canceled. Reading the playbook will only do so much, with near 0 reps at practicing timing we are doomed unless they can get more practice in before any potential season.
On the other hand, this also somewhat benefits the Bears because we have so much returning experience. A team like UW is reeeally going to struggle with coaching changes plus all the talent leaving.
Experienced players yes, but they still have to know how to run a brand new playbook. Theyve said its similar, but theres still timing and motion's to work on
The Rose Bowl is slated to be a CFP semifinal game for the 2020 season, so it's a question if a hypothetical one-loss Pac-12 champion is good enough to make the playoff.
Cal fans would have to be pleased if these predictions come true. Or, Cal fans would have to be pleased if we play football at all!!!!! I'm not buying an 11-1 season, and I'm a pumper of sunshine, but I DO have a ton of faith in both Garbers and Wilcox. Go Bears! Go away, Covid19!
PLEASE CORONA SPARE THIS SEASON
Favored to go 11-1, Kings in the North in a season that’s unlikely to happen. Sounds about right.
It would be just like Cal if our greatest potential team in a generation is inactive due to COVID-19. In that case, what would 2021 bring?
Athlon has us finishing 3rd in the North. Seems a bit more realistic: https://athlonsports.com/college-football/pac-12-football-predictions-early-2020.
The article says we could finish 2nd if we can topple Washington.
Washington is a realistic win, Oregon and USC are much harder wins IMO
This is the perfect year for this prediction to occur. Since the season most likely won’t happen, we won’t have to watch the bears start off 5-0, get crushed by $¢, then hobble to a 6-6 finish, deflated under the balloon of high expectations.
I LIVE in the balloon of high expectations!!! Nothing new here to me!
Seems to me, it's basically another signal of our increased competitiveness with it being the most positive in many years. A positive with real gravitas versus frequent years where such predictions were much more of a stretch.
Hell yeah, and may the increased national hype and realistic expectations reach our 2021 offers who are wondering if they should pick between CAL, furd, usc, oregon, wash, etc..
Hmm, the closest we've been to 11-1 was 10-2, 15 years ago, with All-Americans Marshawn Lynch, Desean Jackson, and Daymeion Hughes, 3rd Team All-Americans Desmond Bishop and Brandon Mebane, and first round pick (and likely NFL Hall of Famer) Alex Mack. I don't quite see that level of talent here right now, but sure, I'll take a hypothetical 11-1 for 2020. And its all relative. And because Cal, its best team after a decade and a half of frustration would arrive during a pandemic.
Evidence that even we can have nice things...dang, what a lineup
Even if a season is played, some of the reasoning for Cal having the advantage in toss-up games (aka home advantage) may not be applicable to this year (if it's played in front of a limited or zero audience).
The home field advantage didn't do much in winnable swing games v. ASU and OSU...tho QB play probably contributed more than anything.
I'm also concerned that the cancellation of practices will affect the team's ability to pick up and practice the new offense.
yep gives a big advantage to teams with stability
Yup, its a huge issue many will miss with practices canceled. Reading the playbook will only do so much, with near 0 reps at practicing timing we are doomed unless they can get more practice in before any potential season.
On the other hand, this also somewhat benefits the Bears because we have so much returning experience. A team like UW is reeeally going to struggle with coaching changes plus all the talent leaving.
Experienced players yes, but they still have to know how to run a brand new playbook. Theyve said its similar, but theres still timing and motion's to work on
The most Cal thing to do is to miss the Rose Bowl with potential like this because the season gets called off due to pandemic. Sigh.
Orrr Cal makes it to the Rose Bowl but none of us can attend in person...
The Rose Bowl is slated to be a CFP semifinal game for the 2020 season, so it's a question if a hypothetical one-loss Pac-12 champion is good enough to make the playoff.
Not if it's Cal. Perfect chance to win the conference championship and still miss the Rose Bowl.
Exactly....this is sooooo Cal, and a near certainty.
Guess we’d better not lose to usc then.
Holy blue smoke Batman! At 11-1 we could have an outside chance of sneaking into the NC conversation. Bullocks!
I do see that in our future with Wilcox.
No, no! Stop it! Being optimistic about Cal football takes me to scary places!
Resist....do not do this to yourself...
oh please let there be a season this year...
all crap. 12-0. Pump that sunshine.
Cal fans would have to be pleased if these predictions come true. Or, Cal fans would have to be pleased if we play football at all!!!!! I'm not buying an 11-1 season, and I'm a pumper of sunshine, but I DO have a ton of faith in both Garbers and Wilcox. Go Bears! Go away, Covid19!
Wow... I thought this was a prank and then read the article. 2020 is a weird year.