We want to make a statement that we’ve had a tough season, but we’re coming back hard and strong. – BYU running back Adam Hine
PROVO — BYU travels to take on Cal this Saturday in a game that holds a lot at stake for both teams.
For Cal (5-6) the game is a last chance to become bowl eligible after slugging through a tough Pac-12 schedule. For this reason, Cougar players expect the Bears to come out strong.
"Cal is a solid team, and just by looking at their record, it doesn't reflect how great of an offense and defense they have," said receiver Mitchell Juergens. "They come out fighting every single game, and they've had some tough losses, but we … know we have to come out strong."
For the Cougars, a Miami Beach Bowl invite is secure, but that shouldn't diminish the importance of Saturday's game, according to players.
“We want to make a statement that we’ve had a tough season, but we’re coming back hard and strong,” said running back Adam Hine. “And that we are BYU football players and we’re not going to give up … we want to make a statement that we’ve come to play.”
The Cougar season has been on the upswing after three straight wins against very questionable competition. For this reason, players and coaches feel a strong performance against a team like Cal can serve as the sort of validation that was relatively impossible to achieve against lowly opponents such as Middle Tennessee State, UNLV or Savannah State.
“We’ve beat pretty good teams, but if we beat Cal it will really solidify our confidence, I guess you could say,” said linebacker Alani Fua.
According to Fua, a win against Cal will also work to improve BYU's standing as a program after the 2014 season comes to a close.
“I think everyone knows that we’re trying to go to another conference — get to a big conference. Winning games like this is going to give us an argument to get into conferences like that," he said. "So the more we can show we can play with these other teams that are part of power five conferences, the more chance we have to get into one.”
Defeating Cal won't be easy.
The Bears are four-point favorites and present a type of passing attack that most feel will be the toughest challenge yet for the Cougar defense. The Bear offense is led by sophomore quarterback Jared Goff, who has thrown for 3,580 yards and 31 touchdowns on the year.
As a team, Cal averages 38.5 points and 488.7 yards per game.
On defense, however, the Bears give up 39.5 points and 509.2 points, which the Cougars could certainly take advantage of.
“I think it’s an intriguing game,” said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall. “And it’s fun at the end of the year to have an intriguing matchup and a challenge.”
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney