What do you think Cal's football schedule will be this year, and if College GameDay decides to come back, when would it be?

We have a cupcake schedule next year with no opponents that could be considered a powerhouse. Even if we have a perfect season we'd be hard pressed to see CGD come unless there really isn't any other good games that week.

pingpong2 said:

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We have a cupcake schedule next year with no opponents that could be considered a powerhouse. Even if we have a perfect season we'd be hard pressed to see CGD come unless there really isn't any other good games that week.

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but what about NC and Bill Belichick?

RaidersBear24 said:

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pingpong2 said:

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We have a cupcake schedule next year with no opponents that could be considered a powerhouse. Even if we have a perfect season we'd be hard pressed to see CGD come unless there really isn't any other good games that week.

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but what about NC and Bill Belichick?

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UNC is a basketball school and football afterthought. Having Belichick there just makes them intriguing early on, nothing more, no different than the Buff's 2023 season with Deion. Unless they also go perfect and we play them towards the end of the season, it won't matter.

pingpong2 said:

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RaidersBear24 said:

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pingpong2 said:

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We have a cupcake schedule next year with no opponents that could be considered a powerhouse. Even if we have a perfect season we'd be hard pressed to see CGD come unless there really isn't any other good games that week.

---

but what about NC and Bill Belichick?

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UNC is a basketball school and football afterthought. Having Belichick there just makes them intriguing early on, nothing more, no different than the Buff's 2023 season with Deion. Unless they also go perfect and we play them towards the end of the season, it won't matter.

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Speaking of Colorado 2023....they hosted college gameday vs Colorado State 3rd week of the season in 2023.

With us getting all 4 out of conference games at the start of the year, we could easily start the year out 4-0 and be "interesting enough" depending on other matchups, which can often be less than inspiring early in the season.

Only other alluring home option is likely SMU, which would have to be two undefeated teams to beat out other games on rivalry weekend, and would have questionable attendance being the weekend of thanksgiving.

That said, having a strong season setting up for Clemson @Berkeley in 2026 is a more realistic goal.

RaidersBear24 said:

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What do you think Cal's football schedule will be this year, and if College GameDay decides to come back, when would it be?

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Our best chance is if we unexpectedly end up in a matchup between undefeated schools later in the season with ACC championship implications. If you start thinking about a 1, 2, or 3 loss Cal team, even if they're still in the hunt, the less likely we are to feature even if the opponent remains undefeated with the outcome impacting the ACC championship.

Now that we've had Gameday visit, we don't really have any compelling storylines or unique matchups that is a draw regardless of record. Our games with Virginia and Louisville will be all-time first matchups but I don't think the networks will care unless both teams are good.

UNC will undoubtedly get media attention regardless of their actual record, but I don't see that extending to an away game midway through the season. I'd wager they'd have earlier opportunities and likely would be at UNC to work that angle.

MrGPAC said:

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pingpong2 said:

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RaidersBear24 said:

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pingpong2 said:

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We have a cupcake schedule next year with no opponents that could be considered a powerhouse. Even if we have a perfect season we'd be hard pressed to see CGD come unless there really isn't any other good games that week.

---

but what about NC and Bill Belichick?

---

UNC is a basketball school and football afterthought. Having Belichick there just makes them intriguing early on, nothing more, no different than the Buff's 2023 season with Deion. Unless they also go perfect and we play them towards the end of the season, it won't matter.

---

Speaking of Colorado 2023....they hosted college gameday vs Colorado State 3rd week of the season in 2023.

With us getting all 4 out of conference games at the start of the year, we could easily start the year out 4-0 and be "interesting enough" depending on other matchups, which can often be less than inspiring early in the season.

Only other alluring home option is likely SMU, which would have to be two undefeated teams to beat out other games on rivalry weekend, and would have questionable attendance being the weekend of thanksgiving.

That said, having a strong season setting up for Clemson @Berkeley in 2026 is a more realistic goal.

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My prediction is that if ESPN wants to ride the Belichick train, they'll either do it Week 1 before the luster wears off, the Clemson game, or the Duke rivalry game (if both still have a good record by then). All three of those are home games, which I imagine would have to be a requirement for any Belichick driven show.

What if we host a first-rounder?

They'll only do it if there is another first round game on the West Coast

10-0 Cal at 10-0 Stanford in Palo Alto with an ACC title berth on the line.

Other than that, no real chance.

LessMilesMoreTedford said:

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10-0 Cal at 10-0 Stanford in Palo Alto with an ACC title berth on the line.

Other than that, no real chance.

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Gee, you really don't think that can happen?