NC close win at home, as Cal plays conservative
BYU close win on road in physical game (BYU is in a bit of a down mode - lost to all power 5 teams it played last year, sometime badly).
Idaho State: win with playing time for many
Oregon. Cal beats a talented but still devolving Oregon team in somewhat of a surprise to many. Cal's ground game and stout defense (I can't believe I used the word stout and Cal defense in the same sentence) are the difference. Cal now is considered not a team to take lightly.
UofA Cal lets the game get away (strange things always happen there). Defense has trouble with UofA QB.
UCLA: Cal then surprises UCLA with a surprisingly easy victory. UCLA still has weaknesses in certain areas, which Cal exploits.
OSU: An ugly win.
Udub: An ugly loss
WSU: This is a tough one up there. A toss-up in my mind, with WSU still smarting from the 2017 game. WSU still has a good defense, but I'm not sure where they are at QB. I'm going to say WSU wins in a frustrating game and bad weather.
USC. This may be a better game than most expect. I think Sc is a bit down this year due to graduation at key positions. Cal pulls off the stunner and eats burgers at nearby Shake Shack.
Furd. In this up and down season, Cal loses a heartbreaker to Furd. Furd ground game and Costello bombs simply too much, in a close game
Colorado. Resilient Cal team lays the wood on Ralphie and company.
8 wins, but not in a predictable manner. Cal does well against skill teams, but losses mostly to teams who still are more physical (Udub, Furd) or novel offenses on the road (WSU and UofA). Cal goes bowling at Foster Farms bowl. I'm assuming better QB play, and better offense, with a somewhat better than average defense as the defense continues to make progress. Special teams will be inconsistent at least on the kicking side. Lack of depth on defense may become problematic in later games. Stay healthy on defense, this is a good season.
This has to be better than Wilner. In any event, what say you guys?
BYU close win on road in physical game (BYU is in a bit of a down mode - lost to all power 5 teams it played last year, sometime badly).
Idaho State: win with playing time for many
Oregon. Cal beats a talented but still devolving Oregon team in somewhat of a surprise to many. Cal's ground game and stout defense (I can't believe I used the word stout and Cal defense in the same sentence) are the difference. Cal now is considered not a team to take lightly.
UofA Cal lets the game get away (strange things always happen there). Defense has trouble with UofA QB.
UCLA: Cal then surprises UCLA with a surprisingly easy victory. UCLA still has weaknesses in certain areas, which Cal exploits.
OSU: An ugly win.
Udub: An ugly loss
WSU: This is a tough one up there. A toss-up in my mind, with WSU still smarting from the 2017 game. WSU still has a good defense, but I'm not sure where they are at QB. I'm going to say WSU wins in a frustrating game and bad weather.
USC. This may be a better game than most expect. I think Sc is a bit down this year due to graduation at key positions. Cal pulls off the stunner and eats burgers at nearby Shake Shack.
Furd. In this up and down season, Cal loses a heartbreaker to Furd. Furd ground game and Costello bombs simply too much, in a close game
Colorado. Resilient Cal team lays the wood on Ralphie and company.
8 wins, but not in a predictable manner. Cal does well against skill teams, but losses mostly to teams who still are more physical (Udub, Furd) or novel offenses on the road (WSU and UofA). Cal goes bowling at Foster Farms bowl. I'm assuming better QB play, and better offense, with a somewhat better than average defense as the defense continues to make progress. Special teams will be inconsistent at least on the kicking side. Lack of depth on defense may become problematic in later games. Stay healthy on defense, this is a good season.
This has to be better than Wilner. In any event, what say you guys?