Normally any UCLA Football vs. Cal game in the past is almost an afterthought following the USC game. While both teams enter this game looking for bowl eligibility the Bruins are carrying a much heavier load into this match up.
In a battle of the UC system the UCLA Football Bruins are again finishing up their schedule with the Cal Golden Bears with bowl eligibility on the line. Let me say this first. The rivalry with Cal is one of the Bruins’ oldest and most traditional rivalries. The fact that this game comes after the Crosstown Showdown is an absolute joke for both programs. Rivalry week should be reserved for your greatest rival that you might even harbor some deeply seeded disdain for. Not for a “sibling” rivalry.
Okay now that we are past that let’s get caught up quickly with both teams.
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The Bruins come into this game on the heels of Jim Mora’s firing as UCLA Football head coach. The firing didn’t just come as a surprise to media and fans as the social media response to the firing was mostly expressions of gratitude and shock from players. Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch has been named interim head coach for this game and a bowl game presumably should the Bruins win. The players have made it clear they’re playing this game for Mora and that should give them a little extra boost in motivation that was lacking in last year’s trip up to Berkeley.
On the other side of the field the Golden Bears showed early promise with wins over North Carolina and Ole Miss. The team under first year head coach Justin Wilcox was showing a toughness in both the defensive and offensive line that had been somewhat lacking in past years. Yes the Bears have had a viable ground game in the past seasons but this year they’re showing an ability and willingness to ground games out with teams.
As quickly as the 3-0 start brought hopes for what might be a huge season Cal then went 0-3 in conference play. They took a talented USC team to the edge but ultimately couldn’t finish the job. Then they were crushed by northern rivals Oregon and Washington and its clear to see this young unit has some growing up to do. If there was a shining moment in this season it was a stomping of then #8 Washington State at home. That glory wasn’t to last.
That huge win was sandwiched by an overtime loss to Arizona and a defensive collapse against Colorado. Cal did manage a win over bottom feeder Oregon State to get their fifth win but a hard fought and closely contested loss to nemesis Stanford last week means this is the last chance for the Golden Bears to become bowl eligible in Wilcox’s first season.
No game on your schedule is a throw away. While this game isn’t placed where it should be by rivalry standards there is no mistaking what this game means to each squad. Cal would love nothing more than to end this season on a high note marking Wilcox’s first as a step in the right direction for the program. The Bruins on the other side want to ensure that the only college head coach they’ve ever known is remembered correctly. Both need this game to make those desires a reality.
Cal Offense
This isn’t your Jared Goff or Davis Webb Cal offense. Wilcox has brought in former Eastern Washington head coach Beau Baldwin to command this offense and bring balance to a very pass heavy attack. He’s found his field general in red-shirt sophomore Ross Bowers. Not gifted with eye popping measurables, Bowers is a gamer. While most of his throws have come in the intermediate zones he has the arm to go over the top of defenses. Still he’s had his bumps in the road with 12 interceptions including a four interception loss to the Trojans.
At running back the Golden Bears found a gem in Patrick Laird who carried the ball eight times in 2016 for 59 yards. This year he’s exploded for 159 carries totaling 949 yards and eight TDs on the ground. Baldwin’s offense has made him a prime target out of the backfield. 40 catches for almost 300 yards make Laird a multi-threat back that teams have struggled to stop this season. When Cal wants to give Laird a breather or just hammer opposing defenders they sub in Vic Enwere. Listed at a generous 245 pounds, Enwere had a breakout year in 2015 but has yet to recapture that magic and stay healthy. Still, he presents a tough challenge for LBs to bring down and has more than enough wiggle to make you miss in the open field although he’d rather lower the shoulder.
Cal has four players with at least 35 catches this season. Not only can they throw it essentially when they want but Bowers has done a good job of spreading the ball around as well. Vic Wharton III is the name you want to know here. He’s capable of breaking tackles to take it the distance and beyond Laird might have the best connection with Bowers. Kanawai Noa thrives in the open space that Baldwin’s offense creates and is a very effective compliment. He’s not a true number one receiver but Noa can take over in spurts. Veasy is the big bodied receiver who functions out wide. He’s been up and down with drops but presents a mismatch with his imposing size.
Bowers doesn’t typically throw to the tight end but Gavin Reinwald sees plenty of action in this offense. Used more as an H-back you’ll see Reinwald function as a safety valve and lead blocker although Bowers prefers to check it down to Laird over his young TE. Cal shows plenty of 11 personnel with two wideouts to one side and one isolated on the backside of the formation. This formation is gaining massive popularity in the college game since it gives you so much flexibility in terms of play calling. The UCLA Football defense might not give much attention to Reinwald given his relatively quiet season but play-action might just open up space right behind the Bruin LBs for him to exploit.
Youth and inexperience haven’t avoided making their mark on the offensive line. While this group has improved in run blocking they’ve also given up 34 sacks on the season. The right side of this offensive line is very young. Right tackle Jake Curhan is a red-shirt freshman and right guard Michael Saffell is a true freshman. They’re not huge along the line but are strong run blockers capable of moving defenders off the line or creating holes in stretch situations but they will struggle with mass.
Cal Defense
This defensive line shows offenses plenty of looks up front bouncing between three and four man fronts. Typically playing out of the 3-4 front Chris Palmer is an intimidating force at 330 pounds. UCLA Football center Scott Quessenberry has played better this season than 2016 but last week was a reminder that powerful defensive linemen can have their way with him if his technique falters.DE James Looney has NFL bloodlines and NFL ability. He flashes the ability to be stout and shed blocks and is due for at least three big splash plays a game.
Devante Downs would have been the name to know for this group before he was lost to injury for the season against Washington State. As a result of his injury the defense, particularly in run support, has dropped off but there are still capable players in this unit. Washington transfer Gerran Brown and red-shirt junior Jordan Kunaszyk bring size and athleticism to the position with Kunaszyk being a downhill thumper but struggling to go sideline to sideline.
Elijah Hicks headed to Cal was a little bit of a recruiting surprise but he’s proven to be one of the young freshman this team is going to lean on as this program moves forward. Camryn Bynum has two picks so far on the season and gives the Golden Bears a very solid starter on one side. He’s not afraid to mix it up in the run department either which is valuable given how without Downs this front seven doesn’t defend horizontally very well. Ashtyn Davis and Jaylinn Hawkins make a strong safety combo but Davis has been beaten repeatedly over the top this season. Still they are going to face the best QB they’ve seen all year in UCLA Football QB Josh Rosen. This unit certainly will be tested by a QB/WR combo that has the ability to go over the top.
Prediction
This game is huge for both the UCLA Football Bruins and the Cal Golden Bears. For the seniors and those planning to declare early this could potentially be the end of their football journeys. Look for the Bruins to devote numbers to the box to keep the Cal offense from doing what it really wants to do and that’s run the football. The Bruins’ secondary has stepped their game up over the course of the season and likely play a ton of man against a WR unit that features very good but not great talent. Another reason to go heavy man outside is to dare the spunky but still inexperienced Bowers into some bad decisions.
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With an defense and offense that had some of it’s best production a week ago and an axe to grind for their former coach look for the UCLA Football Bruins to overwhelm Cal at home and send their seniors out the right way with a 45-20 win.