“We’re an ultra-talented conference”. “When the defense plays two under, it’s a good chance for the quarterback to pick up a few yardage”. “There’s too many good quarterbacks, too many good skill teams”. “I think you want to make any team one-dimensional”. In fact, the Bears have not beaten any of their three conference in-state rivals since Dykes took over in 2013, losing three times to UCLA and twice each to Stanford and USC. The Trojans looked like the team everyone expected to see this fall during their 42-24 rout of Utah.
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Last week against Utah, Jackson started on offense and played defense sparingly.
REELING VS. RIVALS: Cal has had trouble against a lot more teams than just USC.
“I think Daniel’s well”, Dykes said Tuesday.
Offense: Quarterback Cody Kessler, tailback Justin Davis, fullback Jahleel Pinner, tight end Taylor McNamara, receivers Jalen Greene and JuJu Smith-Schuster and offensive linemen Chad Wheeler, Damien Mama, Khaliel Rodgers, Viane Talamaivao and Zach Banner. Most prominently, the Bears are 125th in the FBS on Power Run Success Rate, measuring the team’s success rate when it has less than two yards to go on third or fourth down, according to Football Outsiders. Southern Cal Trojans rank at 7 for 379.0 road passing yards where as California Golden Bears rank at 47 for allowing 171.5 passing yards at home. “It created a fire in me to get aback to the Division I level”.
“I was ready last week, and I’m ready for this week”, Rodgers said.
“He’s just been a pain in our butt offensively”, Helton said.
As a junior, Goff faces a decision on whether to enter the 2016 NFL Draft or return for his senior season with Cal. There was no indication in the Times’ story that the scout hinted or revealed the quarterback that he foresees going ahead of Goff. When Adoree’ is on offense, you have players keying in on Adoree’. “Getting into a rhythm is the best way to describe it. Getting the run game going early so the defense has to respect that. Being physical, being more accurate with the ball”. Cal has won its past six games played on Halloween, unbeaten on October 31 since 1964.
Linebacker Cameron Smith, who made three interceptions last week, is sidelined to start the game.
Five of those interceptions came in Cal’s first loss of the season when they fell 30-24. Because of the line, Goff’s been throwing more short, quick passes, and the Bears have had trouble even trying to throw down the field.
“We get more turnovers, plenty of sacks, create pressure”, he said.
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The Bears will find out soon enough if they have answers for the Trojans and can set a course for the rest of their season.
