Cal Bears Football: Can the Bears Become a Legit Contender?

If you are a loyal Cal Bears fan, you can press rewind to the glory days for California. Ranked number two. A share of a Pac-10/12 championship. And the Bears can still win, but they aren't the same team.

But can they be?

The Bears do have talent. They started 2-0 by beating some teams that have talent, Fresno State and Colorado. Fresno State's potent offense was held in check by the Bears defense.

While transfer Zach Maynard wasn't at his best in Week 1, he guided Cal to a win, and in Week 2, he was stellar. Maynard threw four touchdowns, and hit Keenan Allen for a five-yard, game-winning score.

California won't get much, if any credit, for this week's game, a battle against FCS school Presbyterian, but next week, they take on 2-0 Washington, and following a bye, they take on Oregon, USC, and Utah.

In California's home opener, the Blue Hose travel to AT&T Park for what looks like an easy win for the Bears. If Cal prevails, they will improve to 3-0.

With Maynard at quarterback, the talented Isi Sofele at running back and Marvin Jones and Keenan Allen anchoring the receiving core, the Bears offense can answer questions. And the defense?

Cal's defense has been their main strong spot. Their core of cornerbacks and safeties consisting of Marc Anthony, Sean Cattouse, and Steve Williams is great, and Mychal Kendricks and D.J Holt are great linebackers.

While the home opener against Presbyterian is basically a lose-lose situation, their next five games have meaning. Keith Price and the Washington Huskies are 2-0, and they defeated a high-scoring Hawaii team.

Maynard and Price match up pretty well, and the Bears-Huskies tilt will be a good game. It will also be one of the many chances for the Bears to prove themselves, as well as Zach Maynard.

The Buffalo transfer is mobile, accurate, and talented, and he is the guy that Cal has been looking for since Kevin Riley went down. Brock Mansion was terrible, but with Maynard at the helm, the Bears are looking good.

Cal definitely has the potential to pull some big upsets, and grab the attention of the entire country. While no one expects it, it could happen. When Cal plays on consecutive Thursdays against Oregon and USC, they can grab the spotlight,

And they will.

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