BearInsider

Hoping to watch the TCU Colorado game before the MG and Bears kick off. Any choices near the Stadium?

Cal's defense was its worst under Wilcox last year by far. The Bears lost three of their best DL to injury and three starters in the secondary went down as well. More pointedly, the depth behind them wasn't good. Cal lost only one defensive starter and added a lot of big time talent in the portal. Plus, the entire DL returned including the three injured players. Here's a preview of UNT from Cal's best online site - wonder if it's at all accurate? UNT Preview

Cal fan here. Really looking forward to coming out to Denton and watching the game in person next week. A few things about this Cal team: The Bears transfer portal class was top 20 nationally Cal's defense will be its strength. 10 of the 11 projected starters have started games in the past. The only three newcomers are a safety who was the MWC DPOY last year, a CB who was an all MWC performer last year and RS freshman ILB whose the best athlete on the Defense. 1st team AP12 ILB Jackson Sirmon leads the group. If the defense has a weakness, it's the pass rush. The strength will be in the secondary where the Bears have four pre-season All-Conference players and a freshman AA is now relegated to a back up role Offensively, Sam Jackson will be the starter at QB and he's a first-time starter and clearly the biggest unknown on the team. He was a high four-star recruit, he's undersized at 5'11, he's got a big arm and is very athletic. How he plays this year will likely dictate the type of season the team will have The OL is the weakest unit on the roster. The hope is that former UNT OC and OL coach Mike Bloesch will be a difference maker. All five players are former starters so there's a lot of experience but last year this group was truly bad. They are better-run blockers than pass protectors Our RB Jaydn Ott is a difference maker. Got some Freshman AA recognition last year. He's the team's clear-cut star and can do it on the ground and as a receiver The WR corps is very deep and experienced. A lot of big WRs. Some speed but only one proven difference-maker in Jeremiah Hunter TE group are more blockers than receivers. Former UNT TE Alberding has locked down the back up role and will play a lot This is Justin Wilcox's deepest and most talented team. That may be damning with faint praise. And his ability as a HC is suspect given the mediocre record. He hired Jake Spavital as the OC who struggled as a HC but was among the best OC/QB coaches in the Pac 12 and a lot is expected from Mike Bloesch It's hard as an outsider to handicap UNT. New coaching staff with quite a bit of personnel turnover. Feels like the MG have a strong RB room, a solid WR room and that the OL may be the best unit on the field? Can your new starting QB run - is a he a dual threat?

The Golden Bears are an exceptionally well coached team with an elite defense and an offense that is still very much a work in progress. Cal returns nine starters from a defense that by most advanced metrics was top 10 nationally last year. It's got a tremendous secondary, an All American ILB and very good depth and talent everywhere save for DT/NG. The team can be run on between the tackles, otherwise it's tough sledding. Offensively, last year was horrific with a ton of turnovers and defensive touchdowns scored against the team. This year, the talent at RB, WR and TE is improved. The starting QB is in his 2nd year and has yet to establish himself as a passer. He can run and is tough both mentally and physically and so far this season has avoided bad mistakes. The OL is down three starters making pass protection and penalties a problem. However, that unit rose to the occasion and ran the ball down UWs throat last weekend. The Bears will be looking to establish their passing game against UNT to build some confidence going into the meat of the schedule. This is a potential trap game coming off the big win vs. the ranked Huskies and before a long road trip to play Ole Miss the following week. Would be great if you guys could post over at www.bearinsider.com (Growls Forum) and fill us in on the Mean Green

Great options here: Muir Woods, Napa, Alcatraz all great pre and post game spots. BART ride is easy from SF or Downtown Oakland hotels to Berkeley. Shuttles will pick you up there to take you to the stadium. The best nearby hotel is the Claremont followed by the Graduate.

Cal fan here. There's not a lot of easy parking to facilitate tailgating for Cal games. Couple of suggestions: Faculty Glade/Faculty Club - Great indoor/outdoor area that often sees visiting fan bases utilize before games - https://www.berkeley.edu/map?facultyglade Faculty Club serves food and alcohol Cal has a fan fest on our practice field (Maxwell Field) just outside the stadium (northside) with music, food and drink - family friendly Plenty of good watering holes in Berkeley - Try Henry's, Raleigh's, Kip's, Jupiter, etc - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32066-d469269-Reviews-Henry_s_Restaurant_Bar-Berkeley_California.html They now serve Beer at the Stadium and if your seats are in one of the clubs, you can get hard alcohol a well. Hope you enjoy the game, Cal and the beautiful setting of Memorial Stadium