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Head Coach: Justin Wilcox, 7th year, 30-36
Cal Golden Bears Football Preview 2023
The Cal Golden Bears are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2022 season in which they went 4-8 overall and 2-6 in Pac-12 play. The Bears have made some big changes in the offseason, including hiring new head coach Justin Wilcox and bringing in a number of transfers.
Key Players
- Quarterback Chase Garbers is the returning starter at quarterback. He threw for 2,101 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, but he also threw 10 interceptions. Garbers will need to be more consistent in 2023 if the Bears are going to be successful.
- Running back Jaydn Ott is the leading returning rusher for the Bears. He rushed for 897 yards and four touchdowns last season. Ott will need to be a big part of the offense in 2023 if the Bears are going to be able to run the ball effectively.
- Wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter is the leading returning receiver for the Bears. He caught 48 passes for 660 yards and four touchdowns last season. Hunter will need to be a big target for Garbers in 2023.
- Defensive end Brett Johnson is a returning starter on the defensive line. He had 3.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss last season. Johnson will need to be a leader on the defensive side of the ball in 2023.
Team Statistics
- 2022 Record: 4-8 overall, 2-6 Pac-12
- Offensive Points Per Game: 24.3
- Defensive Points Per Game: 32.0
- Total Yards Per Game: 423.8
- Total Yards Allowed Per Game: 445.3
Prediction
The Bears have a lot of new faces in 2023, but they also have some talented players returning. If Garbers can play more consistently and the Bears can improve their defense, they could be a surprise team in the Pac-12. I'm predicting that the Bears will win 6-7 games in 2023.
Schedule
The Bears have a tough schedule in 2023, but they also have some winnable games. Here is a look at their schedule:
- September: vs. UC Davis, at TCU, vs. Sacramento State
- October: at Oregon, vs. Arizona State, at Colorado, vs. Washington State
- November: vs. Stanford, at Arizona, at Oregon State, vs. UCLA
Conclusion
The Cal Golden Bears are a team on the rise. They have a new head coach in Justin Wilcox and they have brought in some talented transfers. If Garbers can play more consistently and the Bears can improve their defense, they could be a surprise team in the Pac-12 in 2023.