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Cal Football: Updated game-by-game predictions for 2020 season

By Sonny Martinez

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Chase Garbers #7 of the California Golden Bears looks to pass scrambles with the ball for a first down against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of the RedBox Bowl at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Chase Garbers #7 of the California Golden Bears looks to pass scrambles with the ball for a first down against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of the RedBox Bowl at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Cal football vs. Arizona State (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

If you like a game between two great quarterbacks, this game is for you.

Jayden Daniels leads a team that won eight games last year and much like Cal, is on an upward trajectory. Three of the Sun Devils’ losses were by five points or less. If they can win those close games, Arizona State could end up winning the division.

Daniels threw for 2,943 yards with 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Arizona State has a ton to replace on offense. Its top running back and four of its top five receivers are gone, but under a second year quarterback, Daniels should ease the pains.

The Sun Devils’ defense returns seven starters, but their pass defense really has to improve after giving up 268 yards per game. With almost its entire secondary back, there’s reason to believe those improvements will happen.

Arizona State is another sneaky team. They’re one of the rare teams that’s good enough to win the division but could also still be overlooked. It’ll be a great quarterback battle and truly a flip game. Either team winning should not be a surprise,

Final Score: Cal 40, Arizona State 34 (8-1)

Much of what was said about Arizona can be copied and pasted here. It’s yet another team that’s in a job deciding year, as Chip Kelly’s job is on the line. This game could be a deciding factor.

It’d be an understatement to say things haven’t gone as expected in UCLA’s Kelly era. At just 7-17 over two years, the Bruins have failed to get anywhere close to expectations.

UCLA was actually 4-2 in conference last year before getting steamrolled by Utah and USC and closing with a 10-point loss to Cal.

Chip Kelly’s weak spot over his coaching career has been his defense. With three starters back on the 113th ranked defense from last year, don’t expect that to change in 2020. UCLA’s goal should be at least .500 this year, but with no non-conference games, three likely wins are now off the table.

It’s likely to be another rough year in Westwood, and closing against Cal could lead to some negativity that bleeds into 2021.

Final Score: UCLA 20, Cal 52 (9-1)

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