TeamBoomtho said:
This has been Bowers' audition year. If we get the W next week at UCLA and have a decent showing in a bowl game, I'd give him a passing grade, but his status as a starter in 18 is far from secure. If next week is just another flavor of what we saw from him last night, that starter spot looks even more up for grabs next year. Which I think is fair on behalf of the coaching staff. Next year's QB depth is very compelling, loaded with potential and athleticism. Have faith young Bears.
I would hope (and won't know until spring camp, since we don't know how Wilcox/ Baldwin operate in the off-season) that every position would be wide open and that the coaches would always choose the best. If that means a FR or transfer takes Bowers place, then that's what should be, regardless of how much people like him or the W/L record.
And further I would hope, given what we have seen this season, that the offense sees a lot of changes and gets a lot of help. OLine, TE, WR, RB, QB all either need major upgrades or major additions. We probably need another quality FB, too. (And before people jump down my throat, Laird is doing very well, but the team needs much more depth and a variety of running styles - he shouldn't be an every-down back next season.) So that means Cal would have either a much better Bowers or another QB who is much better, because this level of QB (And OL, TE and WR) play will never get the team more than 6 or 7 wins, tops, no matter how good the D is next season.
If in fact Baldwin is the offensive genius he's hyped to be and Cal is just missing a lot of pieces, I expect BB will fill those gaps and showcase a much more powerful and productive offense next season. (An offensive upgrade similar to the defensive upgrade we saw this season.) If not, the problem isn't talent and depth.