A qualified yes. Cal started off wining all its non-confence games against similar quality opposition las year and likely will do the same this year. So you could draw the conclusion that Wilcox & company have not really shown us anything to suggest that they can deliver better than 5-7 this year - yet.
But:
1) The defense is clearly better in all areas and much deeper. They are not going away.
2) The offense has not shown much, but practice reports indicate the offense also is deeper and can run more plays than shown. Statistically the defense is down from the defense last year at this point. Some of that may be deliberate. My guess is we saw a lot more of Malik for example as the season progresses.
3) Special teams (absent placekicking) is more solid.
4) The schedule is better than last year
Now for the qualifications:
1) The play calling seems unusual and is the use of quarterbacks. No one is really sure where Cal is going. Laird seems to be wasted and the usual responses to opposing defenses loading up the boxes have been missing. That said, there may be some potential long run in the QB system in terms of developing QBs with upside, and then will open the play book. I'm only speculating.
2) The BYU game revealed a lot of turnovers and penalties after a clean game against Carolina. Cal doesn't have a good enough offense to be making these errors against better teams.
I appreciate its still early in the season. Thoughts?
But:
1) The defense is clearly better in all areas and much deeper. They are not going away.
2) The offense has not shown much, but practice reports indicate the offense also is deeper and can run more plays than shown. Statistically the defense is down from the defense last year at this point. Some of that may be deliberate. My guess is we saw a lot more of Malik for example as the season progresses.
3) Special teams (absent placekicking) is more solid.
4) The schedule is better than last year
Now for the qualifications:
1) The play calling seems unusual and is the use of quarterbacks. No one is really sure where Cal is going. Laird seems to be wasted and the usual responses to opposing defenses loading up the boxes have been missing. That said, there may be some potential long run in the QB system in terms of developing QBs with upside, and then will open the play book. I'm only speculating.
2) The BYU game revealed a lot of turnovers and penalties after a clean game against Carolina. Cal doesn't have a good enough offense to be making these errors against better teams.
I appreciate its still early in the season. Thoughts?