By Morris Phillips
SAN FRANCISCO–Successful college football coaches compartmentalize. That’s what they do: within the hyped-up world of rabid fan bases, blithering blitherers, realignment, and further talk regarding realignment, the big-time head coaches emphasize blocking assignments, play calling, and seizing and maintaining momentum within a game.
If the only thing that floats your boat is high-flying, cross-country storylines that zeros in on perennial, heavyweight squads losing for a second, third, or even a fourth, consecutive week, don’t tread here. Coaches and players don’t have time for that stuff, blitherers do. For seven plus seasons, Coach Justin Wilcox has always been among the best at keeping the main thing the main thing.
This is the week Wilcox and his unwavering focus really comes into focus.
The Bears play their first-ever ACC football game in a sold-out stadium in Tallahassee, Florida where the team, the coach and the quarterback are about to be run out of town without any wait til season’s end grace period. The Top 25 (for the first time since 2019) and the direct leadup to a bigger showdown in Berkeley on October 5 are at stake. Suddenly, and momentarily, everything is possible for Cal, including an ACC Championship Game berth, if they win.
Wilcox did say enthusiastically, that winning “would mean we went out and played our best game of the season thus far and had an opportunity to go 4-0. And so, as I mentioned, there’s only so many chances you get, and it’s going to be a great venue. We’ve never been down there before. Again, in a different place with some great players and coaches. So it’s an unbelievably exciting opportunity.”
Wilcox knows a great season can only achieve its beginning on September 21. He also knows a failed season starting Saturday could manifest a lot faster. So being level-headed and detail-oriented is what Wilcox is preaching.
“I think they’re a very, very talented football team. The games haven’t gone their way from one reason or another. We recognize how slim the margins are in playing great football and not great football. And they’re a very gifted team. They got really good coaches, and they’re a prideful outfit. So we know what’s in store, and we’ve got to be, we’ll have to play our best game, and our guys are expecting that.”
FSU hasn’t shown pride yet. In their opener, the Seminoles scored first, didn’t commit a turnover, and managed a slight edge in time of possession against gritty Georgia Tech. But the Noles’ defensive line got outplayed, and three lengthy scoring drives by Tech stood up in their 24-21 upset win.
Boston College made big plays early and led Florida State 14-6 at halftime. A deeper lethargy froze FSU’s offense in the third quarter, and they found themselves in an insurmountable hole before losing 28-13.
Memphis led 20-3 halfway through the third quarter before DJ Uiagalelei and company started making plays. But that was too late, and the Noles fell to an unthinkable 0-3.
Uiagalelei obviously isn’t playing well; missing throws and an inability to stretch the field with deep balls are his biggest faults. But he needs help, and his teammates on both sides haven’t provided any.
“I think it’s a feel from the entire offense,” coach Mike Norvell said. “Obviously, DJ has to help that transition for him individually and offensively. We’ve got to make sure that we’re doing that. That’s something that we’re definitely working to make sure they have a heightened sense of awareness to the detail.”
On the heels of Boston College, especially, the Bears defense could again leave the Noles stuck in the mud. Defensive tackle Aidan Keanaaina, linebacker Teddye Buchanan, and corner Nohl Williams are Cal’s stars, but the entire defense has displayed a confident, veteran presence. The Noles rank second-to-last in rushing nationally with just 52 yards per game.
“They are very multiple in what they do, fronts, coverages they mix it up as good as we’ve played up to this point this year. They do a really nice job of just the effort, the passion, the energy. They are a big, long, physical defense,” said Norvell. “They’ve got good playmakers. They’ve done a really nice job in putting together a defense that plays to a standard, and those guys have been very opportunistic when that ball’s in the air.”
The Bears are hoping Jaydn Ott’s return will take pressure off quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who to date hasn’t had to win a game with his arm. Mendoza has completed 70 percent of his passes, and avoided mistakes, but can he maintain that ascent in a game that’s competitive in the fourth quarter on the road?
FSU stopped the run against Memphis, which ranks 90th nationally, but they weren’t stout against Boston College and Georgia Tech. DL Daniel Lyons, linebackers Blake Nichelson and Justin Cryer can make plays, but the third down efficiency has to improve. FSU is 124th in that category and they’ve been repeatedly unable to get off the field.
Norvell could position his young, talented secondary to make plays this week. KJ Kirkland and Conrad Hussey head a group that’s been sticky in coverage while improving each week.
Cal’s Nyziah Hunter will draw the most attention, he has 12 catches this season, four for touchdowns. Jonathon Brady, Corey Dyches, and slot receiver Maven Anderson have been active as well for Mendoza.
A close game feels inevitable between teams that aren’t blessed with explosive offenses. Turnovers will be key, as well as third down situations. Wilcox knows that means execution and belief will be paramount for his Bears.
“(Won-loss) records are records but if you sit down in our offices and turn on the tape, you see what you see and you trust that, and our players do the same thing,” Wilcox said. “So we know how gifted they are and how good of coaches and scheme they’ve got. So we’re going to need to play great football on Saturday.”
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