Arizona Football prepares for Cal Bears in Homecoming matchup

Arizona Football (0-8, 0-5) battled against USC, but the Wildcats came up just short. Returning to action in week nine, the Cats hope to rebound against Cal.

We’re rolling along in the 2021 college football season, as Arizona Football enters Homecoming week, still in search of that elusive, first win of the year as well as in the Jedd Fisch era. And this week should provide a tough challenge as the Wildcats take on Cal.

Coming in, Arizona still owns the nation’s longest active losing streak at 20 games, and unfortunately for them, there are only four games left on the year to prevent the winless season.

Beleaguered with several injuries, particularly at quarterback, Arizona will have to replicate their offensive success from last week with quarterbacks Jordan McCloud and Gunner Cruz still out for the year with season-ending injuries.

Arizona will once again turn to Will Plummer, who played his best game in an Arizona uniform, and they also hope to get wide receiver Jamarye Joiner back as he left the USC game with an MCL Sprain.

The Wildcats have had a lot of recent success against the Golden Bears, winning the last five games, and hopefully, that success continues this week as Arizona looks to snap the losing streak on Homecoming Weekend!

Getting to Know the details with Arizona Football’s matchup against the California Golden Bears

Team: Cal Golden Bears

Conference: Pac-12

2021 Record: 3-5 (2-3)

2020 Record: Finishing with a 1-3 (1-3) record in the abbreviated Covid season, Cal ended the year with a 21-17 win over then No. 23 Oregon, before their last two games against Washington State and Arizona, were canceled.

Head Coach: Justin Wilcox enters his fifth season as the Golden Bears’ head coach and has compiled a 24-26 (13-23) record. Wilcox has also taken Cal to two bowl games in his time spent in Berkeley, sporting a 1-1 record in those bowl games.

Key Returners/ Starters:

Offense

Not necessarily an elite offensive group, this is an offense that is averaging a tad over 25 points per game, at 25.4 which ranks 86th in the country.

Led largely by signal-caller Chase Garbers, Chase has put together a rather solid season, throwing for 1,979 yards and 14 touchdowns to just five interceptions, while completing 171 of 268 passes (63.8 percent).

Garbers loves to spread the field, using a flurry of pass catchers that include Nikko Remigio, Trevon Clark, Kekoa Crawford, and Jeremiah Crawford. Together, the four have combined for nearly 70 of all of Chase’s production.

However, this is a group that likes to run the football, with Damien Moore and Christopher Brooks getting a lot of work combining for 837 yards on 158 carries for seven touchdowns. Chase is also always a threat to run the ball, as he has 376 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Defense

On defense, this is a pretty tough and talented group. Surrendering just 25.4 points per game, the Golden Bears excel in the running game, holding opponents to just 125 yards per game.

Largely led by defensive backs Elijah Hicks and Daniel Scott, the two have combined for 90 tackles (60 solo) with 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and five combined interceptions.

Outside of them, the Golden Bears have their fair share of playmakers on defense that include Luc Bequette (DL), Muelu Iosefa (LB), Marqez Bimage (LB), and Cameron Goode (LB).

Key Injuries/Absences: 

Cal

• DL/NT – Brett Johnson (Hip) – Jake suffered a broken foot and is out for 2021.

Arizona 

• LB – Jabar Triplett (Knee) – Still recovering from offseason knee surgery.
• QB – Jordan McCloud (Leg/Knee) – Suffered a leg injury against UCLA and is the rest of the year.
• QB – Gunner Cruz (Thumb) – Suffered a hand injury against Colorado and will miss the rest of the 2021 season.
• DL – JB Brown (Opt-Out) – JB has decided to sit out the rest of the 2021 season.
• LB – Treshaun Hayward (Personal) – Treshaun is once again out due to personal reasons.
• WR – Jamarye Joiner (Knee) – Questionable vs Cal as he suffered a knee injury against USC.

Game Information: 

When: Saturday, November 6th, 2021

Time: 12:00 PM MST (Arizona Time)

Watch: Pac-12, FuboTV 

Listen: 1290AM or 107.5FM (Tucson Radio)

Spread: +12.0 Arizona (Also, don’t forget to use WynnBet to enhance your betting experience)

Where: Arizona Stadium – Tucson, AZ (50,782)

Overall Series Record: 18-14-2 Arizona. The Wildcats have had quite a series against Cal, with this one typically being neck and neck, however, Arizona has won the last five straight between the squads.

Last Meeting vs. Arizona: The last time these two teams met, Arizona came away with the 24-17 in Tucson during the 2018 season.

My Prediction: Arizona 27 Cal 24 – I should know better, because every time this program gets my hopes up, those hopes are swiftly crushed as the Wildcats ultimately disappoint me. However, I am still hopeful for a victory, and after the fight, the Wildcats showed last week, it turns into a prosperous week as Arizona comes away with the tough win on Homecoming!