Editor's note: This is the 10th in a series previewing each of the opponents BYU, Utah and Utah State will face this season.
The matchup
California at Utah, Oct. 10
Time, TV TBA
Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City
California came oh-so-close to being bowl eligible in 2014.
The Golden Bears' seven-point loss to BYU in the season finale left them one win short of six victories and bowl eligibility last season, but there are signs this year that Cal could break back into the postseason.
The Golden Bears return plenty of talent, including eight starters on offense and seven on defense, and were picked to finish third in the Pac-12 North in the league's preseason media poll. Leading the way is junior quarterback Jared Goff, who threw for 3,973 yards and 35 touchdowns last season and already owns 19 school records.
A huge hurdle for California, though, is the team's schedule in the difficult Pac-12. The Golden Bears play five road games in league play to four home contests, and that includes a stretch where they play four teams in a row — three on the road — that finished last year ranked in the top 25: at Utah, at UCLA, vs. USC and at Oregon.
The Deseret News caught up with Jeff Faraudo, who covers California football for the Bay Area News Group, to discuss what the Utes should expect from Bears quarterback Jared Goff and what expectations California has in 2015.
DN: The Golden Bears narrowly missed bowl eligibility last season. What needs to happen for Cal to turn the corner and get back in the postseason for the first time since 2011?
JF: The offense, which averaged 38.2 points and 495 yards per game, should continue to be productive. Cal’s running game improved as the year went on, and its efficiency will be key to the offense making progress. Obviously, the defense must be markedly better. Cal allowed eight opponents to score at least 36 points, and its pass defense was the worst in the nation. The coaches believe they have better depth and talent in the front seven, which they hope generates a better pass rush.
DN: BYU had its chance to face Jared Goff last year, and now Utah will get its turn in October. What makes Goff so dangerous and in what ways can he still grow?
JF: Goff has improved each year, and the coaching staff says he has a still better handle on Cal’s no-huddle, fast-tempo offense. His interception rate is low and he avoids sacks fairly well. He has grown increasingly comfortable in his role as a team leader. Now the coaching staff wants him to improve his ability to find his third and fourth targets — often short dump-offs — which will keep the offense moving.
DN: Beyond Goff, who are some of the other players to watch on offense?
JF: Senior Daniel Lasco, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards last season, leads a deep corps of running backs. The Bears also have a good group of receivers, including 6-foot-3 junior Kenny Lawler, who caught nine touchdown passes last year and is very good in goal-line situations. The best offensive linemen are guards Chris Borrayo and Jordan Rigsbee.
DN: Who are the players to watch on defense and special teams?
JF: The Bears expect to be more stout up front with defensive tackles Mustafa Jalil, a former elite recruit who finally is healthy, and Wake Forest transfer James Looney, the younger brother of San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Joe Looney. The linebacker corps is deeper than in recent years and features Hardy Nickerson, Michael Barton and Jalen Jefferson. Cal’s kicking game is ordinary, but return man Trevor Davis brought back two kickoffs for touchdowns last season against Washington State.
DN: What major question marks does the team need to solve in fall camp?
JF: The Bears’ biggest question mark, without question, is a secondary that was riddled by 42 opposing TD passes a year ago. Cal recruited hard at the position, including a pair of junior college prospects who are expected to provide immediate relief. But presumed starting safeties Stefan McClure (quad) and Griffin Piatt (knee) both begin fall camp on a limited basis and aren’t 100 percent certain to be ready for the season opener. Cal must find a placekicker and a center after redshirt junior Matt Cochran was dropped from the team following spring ball.
Email: bjudd@deseretdigital.com; Twitter: @brandonljudd