Cal Golden Bears: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
Cal Golden Bears: Key To The 2022 Offense
Get that power ground game moving
It all ties together in the Cal style of play. Run, try to control the tempo, expect the defense to be solid, and don’t force the passing attack to do anything crazy.
The Bears were way too hit-or-miss on the ground last year, and it mattered. They were able to beat USC when the rushing attack wasn’t working, but that was the only time they won when rushing for fewer than 165 yards.
Over the last four seasons they’re 15-1 when they hit 165. And on the flip side …
Cal Golden Bears: Key To The 2022 Defense
Hold up against the run
The Justin Wilcox era started with a win at North Carolina despite giving up 219 rushing yards to the Tar Heels. Since then, Cal is 0-16 when giving up 190 rushing yards or more.
Again, like it is with the offense, controlling the ground game, keeping scores low, and relying on the tempo is a big deal to the Bears. When the other team is hammering away, Cal just doesn’t seem to have the ability to get past it.
The Pac-12 teams should be able to run a bit this year, and dealing with Notre Dame’s offensive line will be a problem. The big Cal line has to hold up.
Cal Golden Bears: Key Player To The 2022 Season
WR Jeremiah Hunter, Jr.
The 6-2, 200-pounder needs to go from being a dangerous piece of the puzzle to more of a No. 1 target. He’s got the size and he has the deep speed, but he doesn’t have a ton of starting experience and he only played in nine games last year.
The 21 catches for 388 yards and a score were nice, and the 18.48 yards per catch were terrific, but receiver is one of the team’s thinnest areas going into the season, and he’s what’s passes for a veteran in this group.
Cal Golden Bears: Key Transfer
QB Jack Plummer, Sr.
Washington LB Jackson Sirmon will be right up there – he might lead the team in tackles – but for this season to work, Plummer has to be fantastic.
The 6-5, 215-pound Purdue transfer saw plenty of time – throwing for 3,405 yards and 26 touchdowns with ten scores – but he couldn’t quite push through and take over the starting gig. With Aidan O’Connell coming back for a final year, Plummer needed a place to step in and start. Now there’s no question who the starting quarterback is.
Cal Key Game To The 2022 Season
at Washington State, Oct. 1
It’s a 50/50 game that should be the spark to a huge first half of the season. Assuming Cal is 3-1 – losing at Notre Dame but beating UC Davis, UNLV, and Arizona at home – beating Wazzu would be massive with a week off to follow before a winnable road game at Colorado. Beat the Cougars, and 5-1 is possible with Washington and Oregon in Berkeley up next.
Cal Golden Bears: 2021 Fun Stats
– 1st Quarter Scoring: Cal 77 – Opponents 33
– Fumbles: Opponents 12 (lost 7) – Cal 7 (lost 2)
– Rushing Yards Per Attempt: Cal 4.9 – Opponents 3.9
Keys To The Season | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Cal Top 10 Players | Cal Schedule & Analysis