California Golden Bears 2022 College Football Preview
June 13, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 5-7
ATS – 7-5
The Golden Bears got off to a rocky 1-5 start with their only win coming over something called Sacramento St and that pretty much sealed the deal on the campaign. Sure, there were some close calls, but CLOSE only counts in HORSESHOES and HAND GRENADES, yo. They took down Oregon St and USC in the 2nd half of the season but fell short of bowl eligibility.
They aren’t too far removed from a pair of good seasons in 2018 and 2019, so it’s not unreasonable to have some optimism for 2022. Amirite?
California Golden Bears 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
It’s been a mess since 2017, the last time these guys averaged more than 24 PPG. The Bears move on from QB Chase Garbers (16-8 TD to INT, 456 rush LY) and hope that your boy Jack (not Jake) Plummer can get this team to a level of respectability on offense. Plummer booked a fine 15-2 TD to INT mark with BOILER UP over the past two seasons but it must be noted that he has the mobility of a GLACIER compared to what Garbers brought to the table. The RB room has promise with the return of Damien Moore (517, 5.2, 6 TD) and the addition of true freshman Jaydn Ott. We regret to inform you that the WR/TE situation appears to be mediocre YET again. They only return one of their top-seven in terms of receiving yards and they didn’t add anyone of consequence via the transfer portal. The OL returns just two starters and note that they allowed 25 sacks LY and QB Garbers often made something out of nothing on the ground. We’re skeptical (again) that the Bears’ offense will amount to much.
DEFENSE
Cal has been REALLY good on D over the last four campaigns allowing 22.3, 26.5, 21.9, and 20.4 PPG whilst yielding less than 400 YPG on each occasion. It’s a crying shame that their efforts on this side of the football have been wasted. This year they return just five starters, two of the top-eight tacklers, and lose a vast majority of the 2021 sack production. The biggest loss is NFL-bound LB Cameron Goode who led the squad with 7.5 sacks in 2021. On a positive note, they have a lot of 300-pound doods on the DL, LB Jackson Sirmon is a yuuuge addition, and you can almost certainly count on above-average secondary play. CB Lu-Magia Hearns and safety Daniel Scott both have all-PAC 12 potential. Oh, and HC Justin Wilcox is a defensive genius. We’ll deliver a SPICY HOT TAKE and call for a 5th straight top-4 finish in terms of PAC 12 total defense. **
** Editor’s note…..we’d feel better about that SPICY HOT TAKE if they had at least one proven elite pass rusher
SPECIAL TEAMS
The kicking game appears to be in fine shape with the return of PK Dario Longhetto (11/14 FG LY) and punter Jamieson Sheahan (43.1, 40.2 net) but they’ll need to find a new primary KR and PR.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – That’s a good draw from the former South division. Utah isn’t on the docket and they get to face Colorado and Arizona. Two wins are a virtual LOCK in non-conference play and they get their final two games at home.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – November 12th – at Oregon St
This is a tough spot for the Golden Bears as it comes after games vs Washington, Oregon, and USC. And Oregon St will be pretty good once again.
Season Win Total
Per 5Dimes June 13
Over 5.5 -115
Under 5.5 -115
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
These guys have a legit shot to win four or five games in the first half of the year. A mark of 3-3 seems like worst case. Finishing the regular season with two winnable home games doesn’t suck either.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Cal is a miserable 9-20-1 ATS (31%) over the L10Y as home chalk. They’re 3-11-1 in that role under current HC Justin Wilcox.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
The roster isn’t exactly CHOCK FULL of eye-popping talent but we think they’ll find a way to cobble enough wins together to make a bowl game. There’s upside at QB and you know they’ll play good defense. We’ll cross our fingers and toes and call for a postseason appearance.
Want more California Football ?
WEBSITE
https://calbears.com/sports/football
FORUM
https://cal.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-bears-lair.8/
https://bearinsider.com/forums/2
NEWS
http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/
http://www.mercurynews.com/cal-bears
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/25/california-golden-bears