**Editor’s Note: Each week during football season, we feature an essay from the opponent’s student newspaper on why Oregon will lose. This week’s edition is from Alaina Getzenberg, an assistant sports editor at The Daily Californian.**
Despite Cal football currently being on a three-game losing streak, the defense producing one turnover in the last two games and Jared Goff currently playing nowhere near NFL quarterback caliber (whatever that is these days), there is still some way that the Bears can walk into Eugene on Saturday and come away with a win.
At least, that is what I am supposed to be writing about.
But in reality, my trust that the Bears are going to come away with a victory is slim to nonexistent. They aren’t doing so hot at running the ball this year. All that bodes just amazingly for a road game on a Saturday night, where there will most likely be rain.
This team has gone from being an a Pac-12 surprise to an average competitor. The offensive line has struggled all year long, and while the Ducks’ defense isn’t what it used to be, Cal will continue to struggle in this game.
Most people would probably think that Mr. Perfect (Jared Goff) would be the sole reason why Cal has a chance of pulling off a shocker and coming out of this road trip on top. But it just isn’t the case anymore. He doesn’t look good. He has thrown seven interceptions in their three consecutive losses and only that many touchdowns.
Goff hasn’t been able to lead the offense down the field unless he is in a high pressure situation. Someone who is projected to be the top quarterback in the draft should really be able to lead a drive down the field throughout the game, not just during the last five minutes of the game.
While Goff was… well Goff-like in October, the defense really showed up against USC last weekend. But they also allowed Josh Rosen to put up 40 points against them coming off Cal’s bye week two weeks ago.
Somehow this unit is still tied for the most turnovers gained this season at 22, despite its recent failures. If the Bears are able to change this trend, then they could have a chance of making it more of a game against Oregon.
But this is how the game will actually go.
Royce Freeman will run for an absurd amount of yards against a weak Bears’ defense and score at least a pair of touchdowns. Vernon Adams Jr. will throw some himself.
And Goff will throw a pair too. But in the rain, a new concept for a team who plays in a state currently in the midst of a drought, if Oregonians weren’t aware, he is going to throw some interceptions. And running back Daniel Lasco will slip and stumble his way through the game, never being able to fully recover from his injury in the second game of the season.
Cal has found its seat back at the kiddie table away from its Pac-12 powerhouse friends. It will eat the chicken nuggets, while Oregon continues snacking on the fancy food that no one can pronounce.
So rest easy, people of Oregon. Jared Goff isn’t Aaron Rodgers. He never will be.
If an upset is brewing, it’s very hard to see. And the rain won’t help.