Florida State's Defense Is Improving But Is It Ready For Cal's Offense? 

Here we go again. Cal alumni here. The Bears are hurting. Ott hasn't been healthy all season and is still nursing injuries gained through training camp. The O-line is down two of their senior guys although it sounds like at least one of them is coming back for this game. Cal runs a ball control offense which predicates themselves on sustaining long drives. It's not that they cannot throw the ball downfield (with Mendoza they actually can) but since Justin Wilcox (the Cal HC) is a defensive guy, the team leans more into ball control and field position to shorten games. For all the talk about Cal's offense, do not overlook that this Cal team has steeled itself on playing against 5-star rated offenses for years and with the exception of a few of those games, managed to hold high octane offenses like Oregon, Washington, USC and the like down to 20-25 points a game either at home or on the road. The Bears travel well and, more specifically this season, have done the prep work because they knew they were doing the most road travel of any other team in the country (followed only by Stanford -- welcome to the ACC). Florida State should be able to throw the ball against this Cal defense since the secondary is younger this season, having lost a few veterans. If the Seminoles can establish a solid run game, like Cal Davis did in the season opener, it could put the Bears on the back foot. The tandem linebackers of Buchanan and Uluave have been wreaking havoc against teams so far this season and that could really disrupt things for Florida State if they don't pay them much attention. The Bears' defensive front 4 are stout in most cases but sometimes start slow so getting on them early gives FSU the best chance to really get going in the game. This game should be close and it is one that I think Cal can win but Florida State NEEDS to win. I'm still taking Cal and the +2.5 points as an underdog but being honest, I'm not expecting the Bears to win this game although starting the season 4--0 and having an undefeated record with Miami coming to Berkeley next week would be pretty awesome (and maybe line us up for a College Gameday visit). Good luck this Saturday!

Cal is dealing with a lot of injuries..if they can get any of those starters back FSU is in trouble.

I believe that Cal will be the best team that FSU has played thus far! Look fr another loss, 0-4!

Uh, we solved our running problem. We ran for 275 against SD State in our last game with our second and third string RBs. Go Bears!

i just love how little you do your research. Saying Jaydn Ott got shut down when he is hurt and on snap count against Auburn is crazy

Cal fan here. Very reasonable on our strengths and weaknesses. Good watch

Cal RB Jayden Ott, has been playing injured all year, plus they are down 2 starting WR since week 1. But the Bears still rollin' along. 🐻

All the negative talk about Ott but no mention of his injury early in the first game? He was "probable" for games 2 and 3 but didn't play. He's also "probable" tomorrow vs. FSU. Cal also had 2 starting linemen who have been out for the first 3 games. They are both expected to be back vs FSU. We might see a Cal running game tomorrow that has not been available all year.

BTW, I guarantee that you will NOT see a trick play. Wilcox's MO is always to turn these games into rock fights, where like a boa, we squeeze the clock and your possessions. The reason why there are no explosive plays isn't because the players aren't explosive. It's just that it doesn't fit the game plan. Watch as we convert a billion 3 and 1s and then score.

There were so much hype and talked down on Cal from Auburn. Cal humbled them in front of their house of 88000 people.

Dju may be the greatest practice player of all time. That's the only logic u can come up with with why he still starts

Go bears

Otts been hurt all year

Fsu is almost dead last in the country in rushing and since the DJ experiment is a smoldering dumpster fire, the defense has to step up and have its best game of the year and set up the offense with short fields.

Only way FSU wins this game is of they run the ball better than they have all year

haha yeah stick with "The book" We're definitely not a good running team so I hope your team prepares that way haha. I can't believe you talk with so much confidence and know literally nothing about Cal. Two starting Offensive line has been out the whole season so far, they're coming back. Jaydn Ott, one of the best RBs in the nation has been injured all season, he couldn't cut. He didn't play last week, we're hoping he's back but you never know with the kind of injury he had. Our 2nd and 3rd running backs are very good.

Florida St has their best chance to win their first game against Cal. Cal's offense is hobbled by injuries (starting RB, 2 starting WRs, and I believe 2 starting offensive linemen). In their first game against an FCS school, they barely had 100 years rushing, and were 2/13 in 3rd downs. This past week, they were lucky to he ahead at halftime 7-3 against a group-of-five school. There's probably a good reason oddsmakers still put Cal as the underdog.

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FSU’s defense can’t score, and God knows their offense can’t either. If Brock doesn’t start the offense is going to give up, and so will the fans!

Hows the defense improving? Giving up 20+points in every game and letting the run game be wide open?

I heard Cals run defense is really good too

Beside Ott. There are other 3 good running back! Go bears!

Should be more worried about their linebackers vs mike norvells pee wee offense

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What’s going to be horrible is fsu gives it their all and still loses 😂😂 like I think y’all are still in denial about how bad you are. I think y’all are thinking maybe there’s just something the coaches are doing lol

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