Gameday

The following is a Q&A between Josh Yuen, sports editor of The Daily Californian, and Josh Kirshenbaum, sports editor of The Daily. The two editors have known each other since they were in preschool, and their families have remained close friends ever since. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

If an upset is going to happen, the Bears need to win at least two of the three facets — offense, defense, special teams.

Saturday’s matchup, and perhaps the shape of the Pac-12 North for a few years to come, are going to hinge on whether some of the Bears coaching staff can manage to outflank an old mentor.

There is one term that holds a universal darkness in the sports world — injury. The scary, six-letter word that no one likes to speak of has undoubtedly affected Cal football in 2018.

Desperately trying to will his team back into the game, McIlwain was forced into dire situations, throwing two interceptions and surrendering the ball to the defense twice, including a scoop-and-score that put the Bears down by 30 points.

When you have to look at a team’s punter as the highlight of the game, it is likely that something has gone wrong. Nonetheless, have a day, Steven Coutts — somebody had to.

Weaver’s made it this far, and if all goes according to plan, he’ll go even farther. But like his transition from high school, he’s got a few more things to accomplish before his time at Cal is up. First up on the docket? Not simply making it to a bowl game, but winning one.

Anyone who’s watched Cal in the last two years will tell you Alexander’s impact is unmistakable. The secondary, which used to simply roll over and make every opposing quarterback look like a genius, now plays with a swagger and confidence rarely exhibited on a college field.

Because Bunting seems to have not made a crisp turn and the linebacker is breaking toward him, McIlwain has to overcorrect and put the throw toward the sideline to give Bunting a shot.

Thus far this season, the answer to any such question has been a resounding no. The Bruins are off to their worst start since Franklin Roosevelt was in office, but to what degree is that Kelly’s fault?