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The 2020 football season has been unlike anything the California Golden Bears have ever gone through. For that matter, it’s been unlike anything any of us have ever been through. The global pandemic has caused countless adjustments to everyone’s lives and in a micro-level, countless factors about the 2020 college football season.
The Cal Bears have had multiple schedule adjustments, short-notice games and local ordinances to have to deal with, all while dealing with playing the most physically demanding sport on a college campus.
So if that doesn’t sound like a recipe for disaster, I don’t know what is.
Now, sitting at 0-3, the Cal Bears schedule doesn’t get any easier from here on out, even with just two games left.
The Oregon Ducks are entering with an extra day of prep, having played last Friday. They are also entering this week’s matchup after a loss, and will almost undoubtedly be fired up to play. While they were exposed a bit last week in certain areas that may be cause for concern, the Oregon coaching staff is as good as any in the Pac-12 and should absolutely be big favorites after the way Cal has played this season.
The Bears sit winless and with the Ducks coming in motivated and angry, and with Washington State as their last game of the year, also eager to get back on the field. The Cougars have played just two games and have had the Apple Cup canceled last week. They also had to move this week’s game back to Sunday against USC, due to issues with COVID-19 for the Trojans.
All this to be said, it’s a big week ahead for the Bears and an even bigger week after that as that may be the only time to salvage a win this season.
In other news:
Two weeks ‘til Signing Day: Where the Cal football class stands | 247Sports
Cal Football: Saunders out for the season | Bear Insider
Cristobal updates injuries and unavailable players ahead of Cal | 247Sports
Cal vs Oregon set for 4 pm kickoff | Cal Bears Maven
Cal basketball suffocates Nicholls State | Daily Californian