Pac-12 North: Separating the contenders from the pretenders

Sep 19, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) reacts in the final seconds against the Texas Longhorns during the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Cal beat Texas 45-44. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

California Golden Bears

The Cal Bears were electric on offense last year, scoring almost 50 points per game. Led by quarterback Jared Goff, the explosive Bears’ offense was arguably the best in the conference in 2014, and this year so far there has been no setbacks. Cal opened their 2015 campaign by stomping Grambling State 73-14, and in week three they hung 45 points on the Texas Longhorns in Austin, in a wacky win that featured a missed extra point as the margin of victory.

Cal has the offense to compete with anyone in the nation, and so far this year the defense has been a bit better. They allowed just 21 point in the first two weeks, although they did give up 44 to Texas. The Longhorns threw for 11.7 yards per attempt and ran the ball 5.5 yards per carry. Those are still bad numbers, and Cal fans everywhere are hoping that the game in Austin was a fluke and that the early season dominating wins over San Diego State and Grambling State showed the real Bear defense.

Still, head coach Sonny Dykes has to be impressed with the fact that his team won a big time road game against a power five school. Texas is not the powerhouse of old, but it is still a major program with great athletes and a raucous fan base. Walking into Austin and putting 45 points on the board would feel good for any team. The problem going forward is the schedule, of course. After easing into Pac-12 play against the Washington schools, Cal faces Utah, UCLA, USC, and Oregon in four consecutive weeks.

That stretch looks tough, but if you want your program to be respected, then you have to start winning some of those games. This year, Cal will win a couple of those games, at least, and be in the mix to the bitter end. They probably will falter, but at least they have achieved relevancy.

Verdict: Contender

Next: Stanford Cardinal