PAC-12 Preview Part V
California
The California Golden Bears led by senior quarterback Chase Garbers will go as far his arm will take them. This is coach Justin Wilcox 5th year with a 21-21 record so it time to get back over .500 ball.
This team will have ten players coming back as super seniors due to the one time exemption with 12 returning starters as a whole. Garbers offensive line looks to be the most experience group with starters and depth after last year woes.
The defense has been the Bears backbone under Wilcox tenure, no different this year. Be on the lookout for the bears dual linebackers Kuony Deng who stands 6’6 with extraordinary versatility and length. Then Cameron Goode on the opposite side always a force in the backfield of the opponents.
Overall this should be one of the better performing Bears team ready to move up the ladder in the competitive PAC-12 North. The Bears will use their 21-17 victory over Oregon to push them into this 2021 season as open up at home against Nevada.
Prediction 7-5
Stanford
The Stanford Cardinal will still be search for that magic to lead the PAC-12 and be ranked in the Top 25 at end of the year. Head coach David Shaw in his eleventh year has the coaching pedigree to produce champions but they need a spark. This Cardinal team will be searching for an identity of years past maybe feared for strong running game with a new quarterback at the helm.
The offense only returns six starters back with senior receiver Michael Wilson and running back Austin Jones as only returning skilled guys who will need to help put points on the board to keep up with the high powered offense of the PAC. A balanced attack will not be the key to success but running the ball and shortening the game will be on display Labor Day weekend at AT&T Stadium where the Cardinal open up in a marquee game verse Kansas State on September 4th.
This defense bring back defense end Thomas Booker who stands out when you look at the Cardinal front seven. They will need to improve this year with playing the gaps to stop the run and make teams play to their strength which is the secondary. The secondary is all back this season so know how to play together and communicating will be instinctive which should allow them to fly to ball.
We all know the Cardinal have solid teams, we just have to see if this team can make some moves fast to grown as a team and win a few big games at home this year.
Prediction 6-6
