Bowl chat: A step-by-step walkthrough of a hypothetical

Had Cal beaten UC Los Angeles to close the season, we might be playing in the Cactus Bowl tonight.

And because I can hear the complaints already—this is not some “boohoo we lost as usual” hypothetical. Just a genuine query that had we beaten the Southern Branch, would we be in this bowl tonight?

All times are Pacific.

• Heart of Dallas Bowl, 10:30 a.m on ESPN: Utah Utes vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
• Quick Lane Bowl, 2:15 p.m. on ESPN: Duke Blue Devils vs. Northern Illinois Huskies
• Cactus Bowl, 6 p.m. on ESPN: Kansas State Wildcats vs. UC Los Angeles Bruins