Paws Analysis: Takeaways and a Freshman QB Fuel Cal’s 3rd-Week Breakthrough vs. Minnesota

We’re three weeks in, and we finally got the kind of litmus test you circle when the schedule drops: a quality Big Ten opponent with size up front, a sound defense, and a quarterback who can operate the play-action menu. Minnesota checked all those boxes. Cal answered with complementary football—defense, special teams, and a freshman quarterback who keeps stacking grown-up reps. Here’s what we know about the Bears.