Bear Territory : California CF25

**bayers3** · 08-23-2024, 09:29 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

The 2025 Heisman race will at least start out with some variety, the list isn’t just QB and the favorites aren’t one either. It’s hard to see either of the non-QB winning, the odds just aren’t in their favor, but it isn’t unheard of in recent history.

TOP CONTENDERS

Kentucky WR Barion Brown

Mark Stoops has done quite a job at Kentucky, and figuring out a way to get his best player a Heisman would be quite the accomplishment. Brown is definitely going to be a top draft pick, but he’s going to need Kentucky to pull off numerous upsets for his star to shine above a number of passers that are likely to put up gaudy numbers. Place your bets at your own risk.

Brown is an early betting favorite, can he hold off the QBs?

Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton

James Franklin is swimming against the tide in the Big 10, and you would be forgiven for thinking that Penn State has fallen by the wayside. Ohio State and Michigan are the headliners, and the addition of USC and Oregon has sucked up a lot of oxygen in media circles, but Penn State quietly put together a 9-3 season to finish #5 before getting blown out by Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff. A player like Singleton will be front and center with the Nittany Lions if they can improve on 2024, and now the starting HB spot is all his. After going through a 1A-1B situation with Kaytron Allen, the speedy Singleton has been named the lone starter by Franklin. If he can produce more homerun type plays, he’ll have a chance to finish the season still on this list.

Liberty QB Kaidon Salter

The first QB on the list opens his senior year with Jalen Milroe comparisons that might be a little unfair. Salter failed to crack 3,000 passing yards but his 30TD and 681 rushing yards make him a dangerous player, he will definitely need to improve his numbers and lead Liberty to the College Football Playoff for him to have much of a chance. It isn’t fair that he could have the same season as Milroe and fall off this list due to Liberty’s schedule, but that’s how the voters work.

Texas QB Quinn Ewers

The early 2024 favorite is back, but now the hype has died down to the point that a bizarre player is garnering bets (more on that later). Ewers biggest issue in his final season will be turnovers, his 3,620 yards and 30TD were very good but his 7INT hurt him last year. Even with a 75% completion rate, he really needs to have a great season and lead Texas deep into the College Football Playoff to shake off the doubts many voters point to.

Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava

A fresh face on this list, Iamaleava combines all the upside of Ewers and Salter while also combining their problems. Iamaleava threw for 3,411 yards and 37TD, but like Ewers he has issues with ball security. His 9INT are hurting him, he’ll have to cut way back on those to get more attention. He also ran for 414 yards and 3TD, but much like Salter and Ewers he’ll need to lead the Volunteers to a great season in a brutally difficult SEC. They start 2025 #11 after finishing with a 10-3 record last year, mostly due to sitting out the Playoff.

OBLIGATORY MENTION

Texas QB Arch Manning

Yes, you read that correctly. With Ewers staying for his senior year, you would think the pecking order in Austin is clear. The gambling public does not feel the same, and the fact that Ewers wasn’t spectacular last year has conspiracy theorists believing that Manning is going to pip him for the starting job before the season starts. The odds are long, but the fact that he’s getting action means it needs to be mentioned.

**redsox907** · 08-23-2024, 11:25 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

another surprise season like last year and hopefully you can get interest from more than one 5*

My money is on the 8 million dollar man for the Heisman. Unless of course a surprise Golden Bear makes the list lol

**bayers3** · 08-24-2024, 08:39 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

**bayers3** · 08-25-2024, 03:24 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

CORVALLIS, OR - Cal started the season in unfamiliar territory; ranked. Though they would be able to enjoy some familiar territory; Reser Stadium. After beating the Beavers at home last year, one of their shorter road trips of the season would be a welcome opener against an opponent they were heavily favored to beat.

“It would be a mistake to write them off,” said Justin Wilcox before the game, “they are a good team, and this is their house. We can’t sleep on anyone.”

It turned out to be sage advice, but Wilcox’s modesty is seeming more and more like a tool for keeping his players focused.

The 1st quarter would see Cal struggle to reach any semblance of an offense, with HB Larry Hall fumbling the ball with his first touch of the season. Oregon State’s Amarion York would recover the ball, and three plays later QB Gevani McCoy would find Jeremiah Noga for a 48 yard TD pass and a 7-0 lead.

Fernando Mendoza would hit Jack Endries for a 7 yard TD to make it 7-7 in the 2nd quarter, but then he’d give it right back with an ugly 53 yard pick six by Jesse Pinter. Wilcox would be seen speaking with Mendoza immediately after the play, and whatever he said must have clicked. The very next play Mendoza would hit Noah Short for a 79 yard TD, tying the game at 14-14.

Peter Sirmon would head into the half wondering if Cal would ever fix their problems on defense. They would hold Oregon State to short gains, but just like the past two seasons, they would still be prone to giving up big plays. McCoy would hit Darius Clemons with a 52 yard bomb and put the hosts back up. Cal would manage a short TD pass to Short, his second of the half, to head into the break 21-21.

Whatever Wilcox and Sirmon did in the locker room, they need to bottle that and save it for the rest of the season. The Golden Bears came out a completely different team and crushed the Beavers on both sides of the ball.

Over and over in the second half, Cal would come up big on defense. On 3rd and inches in Oregon State territory, Ricky Correia would sack McCoy and force a punt from their 27. Twice a sack would knock the Beavers out of field goal range, points they would desperately need as the Golden Bears’ running game would get hot and help them stretch their lead.

Byron Cardwell would finish with 236 yards and 3TD on 35 carries, most of which came in the second half, helping Cal score 35 unanswered points. After a slow start, the high scoring offense of 2024 was back.

THE TAKEAWAY

Cal’s offense is ready to keep rolling like 2024. 276 rushing yards and 5TD showed that Wilcox isn’t going to be wishing for Jaydn Ott. The returns are early, but Short looks like a pretty good replacement for Tobias Merriweather.

UP NEXT

California : Home against Minnesota.

**redsox907** · 08-25-2024, 05:28 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

nice opening win of the season. Cardwell looks primed to have a big year replacing Ott

**bayers3** · 08-26-2024, 10:38 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

Originally posted by redsox907

nice opening win of the season. Cardwell looks primed to have a big year replacing Ott

In retrospect, due to the way the game kept changing the difficulty to All-American, I cannot tell how much of the 2025 season was played on Heisman.

**bayers3** · 08-27-2024, 09:24 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

CORVALLIS, OR - Cal started the season in unfamiliar territory; ranked. Though they would be able to enjoy some familiar territory; Reser Stadium. After beating the Beavers at home last year, one of their shorter road trips of the season would be a welcome opener against an opponent they were heavily favored to beat.

“It would be a mistake to write them off,” said Justin Wilcox before the game, “they are a good team, and this is their house. We can’t sleep on anyone.”

It turned out to be sage advice, but Wilcox’s modesty is seeming more and more like a tool for keeping his players focused.

The 1st quarter would see Cal struggle to reach any semblance of an offense, with HB Larry Hall fumbling the ball with his first touch of the season. Oregon State’s Amarion York would recover the ball, and three plays later QB Gevani McCoy would find Jeremiah Noga for a 48 yard TD pass and a 7-0 lead.

Fernando Mendoza would hit Jack Endries for a 7 yard TD to make it 7-7 in the 2nd quarter, but then he’d give it right back with an ugly 53 yard pick six by Jesse Pinter. Wilcox would be seen speaking with Mendoza immediately after the play, and whatever he said must have clicked. The very next play Mendoza would hit Noah Short for a 79 yard TD, tying the game at 14-14.

Peter Sirmon would head into the half wondering if Cal would ever fix their problems on defense. They would hold Oregon State to short gains, but just like the past two seasons, they would still be prone to giving up big plays. McCoy would hit Darius Clemons with a 52 yard bomb and put the hosts back up. Cal would manage a short TD pass to Short, his second of the half, to head into the break 21-21.

Whatever Wilcox and Sirmon did in the locker room, they need to bottle that and save it for the rest of the season. The Golden Bears came out a completely different team and crushed the Beavers on both sides of the ball.

Over and over in the second half, Cal would come up big on defense. On 3rd and inches in Oregon State territory, Ricky Correia would sack McCoy and force a punt from their 27. Twice a sack would knock the Beavers out of field goal range, points they would desperately need as the Golden Bears’ running game would get hot and help them stretch their lead.

Byron Cardwell would finish with 236 yards and 3TD on 35 carries, most of which came in the second half, helping Cal score 35 unanswered points. After a slow start, the high scoring offense of 2024 was back.

THE TAKEAWAY

Cal’s offense is ready to keep rolling like 2024. 276 rushing yards and 5TD showed that Wilcox isn’t going to be wishing for Jaydn Ott. The returns are early, but Short looks like a pretty good replacement for Tobias Merriweather.

UP NEXT

California : Home against Minnesota.

**bayers3** · 08-27-2024, 06:20 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

BERKELEY, CA - The big win in Corvalis would help propel the Golden Bears to #9 in the rankings, but that would mean nothing if they couldn’t handle P.J. Fleck and the Golden Gophers. Minnesota have been moving in the wrong direction under Fleck lately, but once again it wouldn’t mean that Cal could look past them.

“P.J. is a great coach, he’s got them rowing the boat,” said Justin Wilcox when asked about his approach to Minnesota “they will be ready, I just need to make sure we are as well.”

It didn’t take very long for fans to question if Fleck was successful at getting his team ready, it took them nearly the entire first half to put together a real offensive drive. They would go down 27-0 before a 12 play 82 yard drive would end with a 7 yard TD pass to Tyler Williams at 0:22 in the 2nd.

The Golden Bears would have 3 rushing TD in the first half, and they wouldn’t stop there. Byron Cardwell and Larry Hall would grind Minnesota into dust in the 2nd half.

Cardwell and Hall combined for a crushing ground game.

Cardwell (31 carries, 205 yards, 3TD) and Hall (14 carries, 184 yards, 3TD) would be an unstoppable force play after play. Most of the credit should go to Cal’s offensive line, making massive running lanes that resulted in 10+ yards carry after carry.

Not to be outdone, Jack Endries would finish with 7 receptions for 173 yards.

Underneath all the fireworks, Ricky Correia put up another solid performance. His 2 sacks and 7 tackles would be enough to land him the National and ACC Defensive Player of the Week awards. He was able to eat Greg Johnson alive right up the middle, Minnesota should have adjusted to double team him.

THE TAKEAWAY

Don’t give Cal a big lead before halftime. Mike Bloesch appears to be more than happy to run the ball down someone’s throat if they want to spot Cal a few TDs. The Cardwell-Hall backfield appears to be better than expected, teams won’t be getting a break when Cardwell sits.

UP NEXT

California : Away at San Diego State.

**redsox907** · 08-28-2024, 12:40 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

Minnesota got hit by a train, literally

**bayers3** · 08-28-2024, 02:39 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

SAN DIEGO, CA - The second shortest road game of the season would see Cal take their Top 10 ranking to a faltering San Diego State. With UNLV slipping into the rankings, it would be important for Justin Wilcox to keep the Golden Bears focused on the opponent in front of them.

“It isn’t about win-loss, this is their house, and we can’t be worried about next week,” said Wilcox when asked about their next game. “We just need to play our game, be sound on defense, and then when it’s all over we can think about them.”

It wouldn’t take very long for people to start tuning out the Aztecs, if this game is any indication of their season, it’s going to be a long one.

The very first drive of the game, just three plays in, AJ Duffy would be intercepted by Jabari Uwaezuoke to set up Cal on SD State’s 24. A short TD pass to Jack Endries would put Cal up 7-0, things would only get worse for the hosts from then on. A 3 yard TD run by Larry Hall would make it 14-0 in the 1st, the last quarter the Aztecs would see much of the ball before rapidly handing it back.

It’s hard to tell if poor defending, specifically tackling, or turnovers killed the Aztecs. It was probably both, with turnovers giving Cal a short field and poor tackling making it easier for them to score. The worst instance came with Mikey Matthews caught a pass for a first down, but then somehow managed to break five tackles, and stumble into the endzone for a 23 yard TD and a 21-0 lead.

Even the Aztecs’ bed drive of the day, going 75 yards in 12 plays, ended with them getting stoned on 1st and goal from the 5. They would kick a short FG to get on the board with 0:30 left in the first half, but their elation would be short-lived. The very next play, a short pass to Noah Short, would devolve into a 60 yard TD with just 0:08 left before the half.

The second half wouldn’t be much better, with Duffy finishing the game with four interceptions. He would be joined by three fumbles, all of which were recovered by Cal. Ricky Correia helped pile on the misery with a 9 tackle 2 sack performance that had Duffy running for his life.

Cardwell and Hall, who just could not be stopped around the endzone, finished with 272 rushing yards and 7TD combined. Hall would claim five of them, making up four of Cal’s second half scores. Endries would finish with 135 yards and 2TD on just three receptions, the Aztecs just didn’t have an answer when Fernando Mendoza looked his way.

THE TAKEAWAY

Difficult to take much from this game other than Cal can beat a bad team, especially when they keep handing the ball over. The season is only three games old and Correia is having a senior season for the ages. His (4) sacks lead the nation, and at this rate nobody is going to catch him.

UP NEXT

California : Home against UNLV.

**bayers3** · 08-29-2024, 08:53 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

**bayers3** · 08-29-2024, 08:11 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

BERKELEY, CA - UNLV, now up to #18 in the rankings, would come off their bye week with their hands full. A matchup of ranked unbeatens would be interesting on paper, but after what Cal has done so far few would hold out hope for the Rebels.

Just like San Diego State, this game would get out of hand for UNLV very quickly. They would go down 14-0 in the 1st, but would manage to get a turnover of their own when Fernando Mendoza tried to hit Jack Endries deep over the middle. It was one of his customary bad interceptions, trying to force the ball into one of his favorite targets.

UNLV’s best drive would run 12 plays and 66 yards before getting stalled with a 3rd & 10 from the 11. They would miss the FG, and Cal would enter the half with a shutout on hand.

More turnovers would fuel another big win.

The second half looked like a carbon copy of last week, more forced turnovers and Cal using their ground game to crush their opponent. Cardwell (25/257 yards, 5TD) and Hall (17/100 yards) would face tired defenders, regularly breaking off 10+ yard runs on their way to closing out the win.

The Golden Bears finish their non-conference schedule 4-0 and head into the ACC as the top ranked team.

THE TAKEAWAY

Don’t go down by multiple scores against Cal unless you can shut down their running game. The joy of the win would vanish quickly for some Cal fans, immediately after the game five star OLB Austin Wayne would announce his commitment to Oregon. Wilcox declined to comment on the announcement.

UP NEXT

California : Home against Virginia.

**Deuce2223** · 08-30-2024, 01:25 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

Great way to start the year. I still can't and probably never will get use to the idea of Cal being in the ACC.. Man I miss the Pac-12..

**bayers3** · 08-30-2024, 09:18 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

Originally posted by Deuce2223

Great way to start the year. I still can't and probably never will get use to the idea of Cal being in the ACC.. Man I miss the Pac-12..

I'm with you, I'm probably numb to it at the moment. I bet it hits me when I go to the Miami game and it gets real weird.

**bayers3** · 08-30-2024, 09:19 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

BERKELEY, CA - Cal fans, and college football fans, would wake up to a rather perplexing sight on Saturday morning. ESPN, among other outlets, would have Cal DT Ricky Correia listed as #2 on their Heisman watch lists. Alabama WR Kendrick Law would enjoy the top spot, but Utah QB Isaac Wilson and UCF QB Jacurri Brown have to be wondering about the voting process.

Perhaps it was the Heisman hype, or being #7, or being 4-0, but Cal were definitely distracted for their conference opener. The Cavalier came into this game 3-2 with QB Anthony Colandrea playing well enough, but nobody could have predicted the way this game would unfold.

Fernando Mendoza made things look routine on Cal’s opening drive, ending it with a 20 yard TD pass to Noah Short. Colandrea did a great job of fighting back with a long drive that ended in a 27 yard TD pass to Karson Gay, making it 7-7. After that, the game really fell apart and Cal found themselves struggling for the first time all season.

Things really fell apart when Mendoza threw one of his customary interceptions trying to find Jack Endries, this time it was near the beginning of the drive and Virginia got the ball on Cal’s 35. Colandrea would find Andre Greene from 15 yards out to make it 14-7, and their next possession would end with a humiliating 55 yard TD run right up the gut by Xavier Brown on 3rd & 15.

Larry Hall would fumble the ball on the ensuing kickoff, giving the ball back to Virginia. Luckily Cal managed to hold them to a FG, but they were clearly not playing up to their standards. It would take two big plays from Mikey Matthews and Short to get Cal down to the 1 just before the half, Donovan Hampton would catch a TD to finish it off and head into the break up 28-27.

Virginia had Cardwell’s number today.

The entire second half was a mess for both teams, with both coaches walking out of this one wondering how they could address these issues.

Virginia would start it off with a disastrous strip sack and scramble for the ball, they would recover but end up with 3rd & 32 from their own 3. It would work out for them anyway, with Byron Cardwell fumbling the ball on the next drive. Mekhi Buchanan would scoop it up and run back 59 yards for a TD, the 2-PT attempt would be successful and the game would be level at 35-35.

The excitement would reach a crescendo in the 4th quarter, starting with Cardwell’s second fumble of the day that would give the ball back to Virginia on their own 40 with 3:47 left in the game. Down by 4, Colandrea would hit Trell Harris for a TD on 4th & goal from the 1 to go up 45-42 with 1:16 left.

Bryan Warren would quickly learn that he made a mistake scoring so quickly, just taking 7 more seconds off the clock would have changed this game in their favor. Mendoza would lead the team down the field, and with 0:07 left on the clock he would find Short for a 4 yard TD pass and a 49-45 lead.

Justin Wilcox nearly made the same mistake, with Colandrea delivering a dangerous Hail Mary into the endzone that would be batted down by Cal on the final play.

THE TAKEAWAY

Despite nearly losing on the final play, and giving up 45 points, Cal’s defense played very well. Cal often gave Virginia a short field, thanks to three turnovers that included a scoop and score, but they made it really hard on them. Specifically, Colandrea will be very excited to know that he won’t see Correia again. The DT had an insane Heisman worthy day, logging (4) sacks on (7) tackles. Teams keep putting a Center one-on-one with Correia, and he’s making them pay.

UP NEXT

California : Home against North Carolina.

Bear Territory : California CF25

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