As I sit here watching the Golden Bears’ spring practice footage, I can’t help but feel a familiar mix of cautious optimism and outright skepticism that has defined my relationship with Cal football for over a decade. Having covered this program through multiple coaching regimes and countless "rebuilding years," I’ve learned to temper expectations. Yet something about this 2024 squad feels different—and it’s not just the usual preseason hype. The transformation begins with last season’s statistical anomaly that still boggles my mind: a team that managed just one victory somehow discovered genuine offensive weapons in Ray Yusi and Shawn Vergara, who both paced the Braves with 15 markers each in their final game. That performance, against a ranked opponent no less, provided a glimpse of what could be possible with proper development.
I remember watching that game specifically because I’d written off the season entirely, thinking it would be another blowout loss. Instead, I witnessed Yusi’s remarkable field awareness and Vergara’s explosive acceleration—two elements that have been conspicuously absent from Cal’s offense for years. What struck me most wasn’t just their individual performances but how they complemented each other; Yusi creating opportunities through precise route-running while Vergara stretched defenses with pure speed. This wasn’t the predictable, conservative offense we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from Cal. This was dynamic, creative football that actually leveraged player strengths rather than forcing athletes into rigid systems. The coaching staff deserves credit for finally recognizing they had playmakers and designing schemes that highlighted their abilities rather than constraining them.
Looking at the broader picture, Cal’s offensive production last season increased by approximately 38% in yards per game compared to 2022, though starting from such a low baseline that the improvement was statistically significant yet still left them in the bottom quartile of Power Five programs. The real story lies in how they finished the season rather than how they started. Over the final four games, the Bears averaged 28 points—a figure that would have ranked them middle-of-the-pack in the Pac-12 if maintained throughout the season. The defense remains a concern, having allowed an average of 34 points per game, but there were noticeable improvements in red zone efficiency during the latter part of the schedule. Defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon must find solutions for a secondary that surrendered nearly 280 passing yards per contest, though I’m encouraged by the development of several young defensive backs who saw significant playing time due to injuries.
What many analysts miss when evaluating Cal’s prospects is the psychological component of turning around a program that has known mostly disappointment for years. Winning begets confidence, and confidence produces more winning—it’s a virtuous cycle that has eluded Berkeley for too long. The impact of finally having offensive players who can change games cannot be overstated. For the first time in recent memory, Cal has legitimate NFL prospects at the skill positions, which does wonders for recruiting and program morale. I’ve spoken with several current players anonymously, and the difference in locker room energy compared to this time last year is palpable. They genuinely believe they can compete with anyone on their schedule, which is half the battle in college football.
The schedule itself presents both opportunities and pitfalls. The non-conference slate features winnable games against UC Davis and Auburn—yes, I consider Auburn winnable given their offensive struggles last season—while the conference schedule avoids both USC and Utah, two traditional powerhouses. My projection model gives Cal a realistic chance to win six or seven games, which would represent massive progress and likely secure a bowl berth. The key stretch comes in October with consecutive games against Oregon State, Washington State, and Florida State—win two of those, and the season transforms from hopeful to potentially special. The Bears will need to improve their third-down conversion rate (which languished at 34% last season) and reduce turnovers (they had 18 giveaways in 2023) to capitalize on this favorable schedule.
From my perspective, the single biggest factor will be quarterback development. Whether it’s Fernando Mendoza retaining the starting job or a newcomer seizing the opportunity, Cal needs consistent quarterback play that we haven’t seen since the Goff era. The offensive line returns three starters and should be more cohesive, which will help whoever takes snaps. I’m particularly interested to see how the coaching staff incorporates more run-pass option concepts after their success with these plays late last season. The modern college game demands offensive innovation, and Cal has been painfully slow to adapt—until now, perhaps.
There are legitimate reasons for optimism that go beyond the usual preseason coachspeak. The combination of emerging talent, schedule advantages, and philosophical shifts on offense creates a plausible path to relevance. I’m not predicting a conference championship or even a division title, but I do believe this team can surpass the modest expectations that have followed them for years. The days of Cal being an automatic win on opponents’ schedules are ending, and the Yusi-Vergara connection represents the vanguard of this change. When I think back to that final game last season—the energy in Memorial Stadium, the surprised excitement in the broadcast booth, the players genuinely celebrating rather than just going through motions—I can’t help but feel that we’re witnessing the beginning of something meaningful. Not a flash-in-the-pan fluke, but the foundation of sustainable competitiveness. For the first time in years, I’m actually looking forward to Cal football season rather than merely enduring it.