Welcome to the Hotline’s predictions for every Pac-12 recreation of the 2022 season. The 12-part sequence can be revealed in six installments, with groups grouped by journey companions. Hyperlinks to prior articles at backside …
Cal Bears
Coach: Justin Wilcox (sixth season)
Offensive coordinator: Invoice Musgrave (third season)
Defensive coordinator: Peter Sirmon (third season)
2021 file: 5-7/4-5
Cal’s five-year win totals: 5-5-7-8-5 (2020 season excluded)
Final postseason look: 2019 Redbox Bowl (beat Illinois)
Greatest-case 2022 state of affairs: 8-4
Worst-case 2022 state of affairs: 3-9
Projected beginning quarterback: Jack Plummer
Key query: Will the Bears, who had been No. 96 nationally in scoring final season, muster the offense essential to make the soar to the highest tier of contenders within the convention race?
Right here we go …
Sept. 3: vs. UC Davis
End result: win
Document: 1-0
Remark: Ballyhooed collision of UC colleges not headed to the Massive Ten.
Sept. 10: vs. UNLV
End result: win
Document: 2-0
Remark: As long as the Bears don’t get caught trying forward, they need to be trying down on the Rebels early within the fourth quarter.
Sept. 17: at Notre Dame
End result: loss
Document: 2-1
Remark: This one-time matchup is value about $2 million to the Bears. A victory could be value quadruple that quantity in consideration and momentum.
Sept. 24: vs Arizona
End result: win
Document: 3-1/1-0
Remark: There can be an acceptable time to say how the ridiculous Berkeley well being protocols value Cal a victory in Tucson final season and, because it turned out, a bowl berth. However we’re going to say it right here, as nicely.
Oct. 1: at Washington State
End result: loss
Document: 3-2/1-1
Remark: The schedule logistics work for Cal, what with WSU in between duels in opposition to Oregon and USC. However this looks like one the Bears let slip away inexplicably.
Oct. 8: idle
Remark: Not a horrible spot for the bye, however one week later would have been twice pretty much as good.
Oct. 15: at Colorado
End result: win
Document: 4-2/2-1
Remark: No benefit both approach with the Buffaloes additionally coming off a bye — an instance of the Pac-12 being extra attuned to aggressive stability within the method it crafts the schedule.
Oct. 22: vs. Washington
End result: loss
Document: 4-3/2-2
Remark: The previous three matchups have been determined by two factors, one level and in time beyond regulation. We anticipate the identical this time. Guess the Below, no matter it's.
Oct. 29: vs Oregon
End result: win
Document: 5-3/3-2
Remark: Large back-to-back Saturdays in Strawberry Canyon. We’re satisfied the Bears will win one in every of them and picked the least possible, as a result of that’s how the Pac-12 rolls.
Nov. 5: at USC
End result: loss
Document: 5-4/3-3
Remark: Sadly for Justin Wilcox and his employees, Clay Helton and his employees aren’t standing on the opposite sideline.
Nov. 12: at Oregon State
End result: loss
Document: 5-5/3-4
Remark: After the tough back-to-back-to-back, the Bears are a half-step sluggish with their toes and a half-second behind with their heads within the chilled drizzle of Reser Stadium.
Nov. 19: vs. Stanford
End result: win
Document: 6-5/4-4
Remark: Cal turned bowl-eligible in 2019 with a victory over Stanford. Historical past repeats, solely on the opposite aspect of the Bay — and with out the necessity for a desperation drive.
Nov. 25 (Friday): vs. UCLA
End result: loss
Document: 6-6/4-5
Remark: UCLA’s final journey to Berkeley as a member of the Pac-12 after 40-something prior visits. And actually, it’s going to be freaking bizarre.
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