"Solid but unspectacular" sums it up very well. When you look at some of the game changing portal moves that were made in the conference last year - Penix to Washington, Delara to Arizona, Nix to Oregon, Williams to USC, Ward to WSU; and then look at a potential game changer to Oregon State this year with Uiagalelei coming in, Cal looks to be hanging on to a status quo that will keep the team in the bottom half of the conference. It's a huge wait and see on Jackson. You always worry about running quarterbacks staying healthy. I think of the Chase Garbers shoulder injury in 2019 that knocked Cal out of contention for what could have been a great season.
Last year USC clearly made the best moves, but attracting Lincoln Riley and having gobs of NIL money to go with their reputation as a football school doesn't hurt. UW probably was #2 and Oregon #3. This year I think in the PAC12, UW had the best portal Class, and based on my own evaluations, CAL is #2. When you combine freshman and JC recruiting plus the portal, it's a different story. But I don't worry too much about that because how many true freshman end up as impact players like a number of Portal transfers? I think we've made some excellent coaching changes, brought in some excellent Portal talent and we aren't done yet. I'm optimistic for next year, but then I was optimistic ahead of last year and we dropped a big turd. One thing is clear to me now, the Spread or Air Raid systems are infinitely preferable than the Pro Style offense that Musgrave brought. When I think back, Beau Baldwin do more with much less talent than Musgrave had. Spav was here with Dykes after Tony Franklin left. That's a good sign. I think with a few more good Portal transfers (at least one more QB, a couple of WR's one more big DL and a couple of stud OL's) we could be the reverse of Sonny Dykes TCU team where a brilliant offensive coach (Dykes) got real about his defense and changed the team through the Portal. JW is a hell of a defensive coach and I expect Spav to be every bit as good on the offensive side of the ball as TCU's DC was on the defensive side. Does that mean we're gonna get to the playoffs next year? Nah, but hopefully it means we'll see improvement that gets us excited about the future of CAL football again.
Excellent piece, thanks! Was looking for something like this. It confirms my napkin level analysis of the comings and goings. We need two things: backup QB and Oline.
Thanks for the assessment and analysis. To the limited extent I've thought about it I had guessed it would basically be a wash amongst departures or arrivals. We didn't lose any high-impact running backs and adding two former 4-stars to the position might be helpful to complement Ott.
Definitely felt like we were in freefall for a bit but we're approximately at the same level with adjustments for the new coaching staff. OL and QB still seem dangerously thin though I think Jackson has the better skillset to work around a bad OL (though injury is a concern). Also Me. Plough will hopefully put those blocking tight ends in H gear. Hope there's a plan before spring.
This does feel like a pretty sizeable reboot but I'm not sure Wilcox has a 2nd year left (i.e., 2018 vs. 2017 with Baldwin as OC).
Yes, I'd like to think Wilcox and Spav have not so transparent, but brilliant plans. We will know more come Spring. I am glad you put my hopes into check and, so, I am more watchful and wary of what's to come.
"Solid but unspectacular" sums it up very well. When you look at some of the game changing portal moves that were made in the conference last year - Penix to Washington, Delara to Arizona, Nix to Oregon, Williams to USC, Ward to WSU; and then look at a potential game changer to Oregon State this year with Uiagalelei coming in, Cal looks to be hanging on to a status quo that will keep the team in the bottom half of the conference. It's a huge wait and see on Jackson. You always worry about running quarterbacks staying healthy. I think of the Chase Garbers shoulder injury in 2019 that knocked Cal out of contention for what could have been a great season.
Last year USC clearly made the best moves, but attracting Lincoln Riley and having gobs of NIL money to go with their reputation as a football school doesn't hurt. UW probably was #2 and Oregon #3. This year I think in the PAC12, UW had the best portal Class, and based on my own evaluations, CAL is #2. When you combine freshman and JC recruiting plus the portal, it's a different story. But I don't worry too much about that because how many true freshman end up as impact players like a number of Portal transfers? I think we've made some excellent coaching changes, brought in some excellent Portal talent and we aren't done yet. I'm optimistic for next year, but then I was optimistic ahead of last year and we dropped a big turd. One thing is clear to me now, the Spread or Air Raid systems are infinitely preferable than the Pro Style offense that Musgrave brought. When I think back, Beau Baldwin do more with much less talent than Musgrave had. Spav was here with Dykes after Tony Franklin left. That's a good sign. I think with a few more good Portal transfers (at least one more QB, a couple of WR's one more big DL and a couple of stud OL's) we could be the reverse of Sonny Dykes TCU team where a brilliant offensive coach (Dykes) got real about his defense and changed the team through the Portal. JW is a hell of a defensive coach and I expect Spav to be every bit as good on the offensive side of the ball as TCU's DC was on the defensive side. Does that mean we're gonna get to the playoffs next year? Nah, but hopefully it means we'll see improvement that gets us excited about the future of CAL football again.
Nick: Great review. What about kickers and other key special teams positions such as snapper and holder?
Best part-no Ott transfer yet
Excellent piece, thanks! Was looking for something like this. It confirms my napkin level analysis of the comings and goings. We need two things: backup QB and Oline.
Thanks for the assessment and analysis. To the limited extent I've thought about it I had guessed it would basically be a wash amongst departures or arrivals. We didn't lose any high-impact running backs and adding two former 4-stars to the position might be helpful to complement Ott.
Definitely felt like we were in freefall for a bit but we're approximately at the same level with adjustments for the new coaching staff. OL and QB still seem dangerously thin though I think Jackson has the better skillset to work around a bad OL (though injury is a concern). Also Me. Plough will hopefully put those blocking tight ends in H gear. Hope there's a plan before spring.
This does feel like a pretty sizeable reboot but I'm not sure Wilcox has a 2nd year left (i.e., 2018 vs. 2017 with Baldwin as OC).
FWIW Chris Street and Nick Alftin, plus FB Champion Johnson (6'1" 250lb) are the three departures that have yet to commit to another school.
Thank you, Nick.
Yes, I'd like to think Wilcox and Spav have not so transparent, but brilliant plans. We will know more come Spring. I am glad you put my hopes into check and, so, I am more watchful and wary of what's to come.
Staff did a great job and all credit to those helping out with Nil. It’s not all black and white. The game has changed.
Rashada to Miami.
At least it's not Washington or Oregon.