Cal Bears' Rollercoaster Ride to the ACC Championship – Don’t Get Too ExcitedCal Bears Ride to the ACC Championship
Article By: Debbie Downer: Cal Bears' Rollercoaster Ride to the ACC Championship – Don’t Get Too Excited
Well, here we are, folks. The California Golden Bears, somehow, someway, have clawed their way into the ACC Championship game. But before you pop the champagne, let’s not pretend this was some sort of heroic march to glory. No, this season has been a chaotic blend of frustration, false hope, and—let's be real—a whole lot of luck. If you’re one of those eternally optimistic Cal fans, you might be riding high right now. But if you’re like me, you’re probably bracing for the inevitable letdown that’s sure to come.
A Season Full of Smoke and Mirrors
Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? The season started with the usual dose of mediocrity. The Bears stumbled out of the gate, alternating between wins that were more gifts from incompetent opponents and losses that were too predictable to even be disappointing. Remember the Florida State game? Of course, you do—how could anyone forget Roydell Williams running through our defense like it was made of wet tissue paper? Or the Vanderbilt debacle, where the Commodores torched our secondary and left us questioning why we even bother to field a team?
But then, just as it seemed like the season was about to spiral into the abyss, the Bears managed to string together a few wins. And I use the term "wins" loosely. The victory over Miami was about as pretty as a mudslide—barely scraping by a winless team. Then, somehow, we pulled off a win against Pittsburgh, a game that had more turnovers than a bakery. We should’ve sent the Panthers a thank-you note for handing us that one on a silver platter.
The Big Game That Wasn’t So Big
Just when the Cal faithful (and I use that term generously) thought things might be turning around, we had the so-called “Big Game” against Stanford. Sure, we won—if you can call beating a team that’s been as hapless as the Cardinals this season a victory worth celebrating. We grabbed The Axe, but the truth is, the game was more about Stanford’s ineptitude than any brilliance on our part. Six interceptions? Really, Stanford? It was like they were trying to gift-wrap the game for us, and they succeeded. But hey, we’ll take it, right? Because at this point, beggars can’t be choosers.
The SMU Stumble – Back to Reality
Then came the SMU game, a chance to prove that maybe, just maybe, this team had finally found its footing. Spoiler alert: they hadn’t. We were outcoached, outplayed, and frankly outclassed. SMU ran all over us—literally. Their running back, Jaylan Knighton, treated our defense like it was a mere suggestion, not an obstacle. And just like that, the Bears’ hopes of controlling their destiny went up in smoke. What’s that? You were expecting a different outcome? Well, clearly, you haven’t been paying attention.
A Backdoor Entry into the ACC Championship
So how did we end up in the ACC Championship game, you ask? Divine intervention, perhaps. Or maybe it was just the football gods deciding to have a little fun at our expense. Boston College and Miami, the only two teams standing between us and an early offseason, decided to implode in spectacular fashion. BC collapsed like a house of cards, and Miami, well, they did what Miami does best—choked when it mattered most.
And just like that, the Bears backed into the ACC Championship game. It’s like being the last kid picked for dodgeball, except instead of dodging rubber balls, we’re about to face a team that’s been licking its chops, waiting to make an example out of us.
ACC Championship Preview: Déjà Vu All Over Again
So, here we are, gearing up for the ACC Championship game, and who’s standing in our way? None other than SMU, the same team that just handed us our hats a week ago. The Mustangs went undefeated this season, steamrolling opponents with a relentless ground game and a defense that seems to know exactly what you’re going to do before you do it. Sound familiar? It should—because we’ve already been on the receiving end of that beatdown.
SMU’s Jaylan Knighton ran roughshod over our defense last time, racking up yards like he was playing Madden on rookie mode. And their quarterback, Preston Stone, barely had to break a sweat as he carved up our secondary with surgical precision. Meanwhile, our offense sputtered and stalled, looking more like a collection of nervous freshmen than a unit ready to compete for a title.
So what’s going to be different this time around? Well, if you’re hoping for a miraculous turnaround, I’ve got some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you. The truth is, this SMU team is as good as advertised, and unless Cal suddenly figures out how to stop a nosebleed on defense, we’re in for another long day.
Debbie Downer’s Prediction: Brace Yourself, Bears
Look, I’d love to sit here and tell you that Cal is going to rise to the occasion, that they’re going to pull off the upset of the century and bring home the ACC title. But this isn’t a fairy tale, and I’m not your fairy godmother. The reality is that SMU is the better team, plain and simple. They’ve proven it once, and unless something drastic happens, they’re going to prove it again.
My prediction? SMU wins the ACC Championship, 38-17. The Bears will put up a fight, sure, but in the end, it’s going to be another case of "close, but no cigar." So, Cal fans, enjoy the ride while it lasts, but don’t be too surprised when this season ends the way so many others have—with a sigh, a shrug, and a resigned, "Maybe next year."
Debbie Downer, Associated Press
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