Alex Dunlap
Texas comes into the game focused, having already had a night in California, then all day to go through its normal routines. The defense will have to worry about three good-to-very good WRs and one dangerous RB as weapons for Cal's elite QB Davis Webb. The offense, however, will have very few worries on the defensive side of the ball for Cal and should be able to score most every time they get the football. The Texas defense will bring enough pressure to rattle Webb early, and while the Golden Bears may do a good bit of damage to a still-developing Texas defense, it won't be enough. Longhorns go into the bye week 3-0.
Texas 48 - Cal 38
Geoff Ketchum
Like last week, this game is all about the Texas defense and whether or not it allows its opponent to settle in and potentially engage in a shootout. It didn't happen a week ago, but UTEP was essentially playing with an arm behind its back. This week the Longhorns take on a team with a pulse at quarterback, which means we're going to learn a little more about Charlie Strong's defensive troops. Cal is absolutely wretched on defense, so the Longhorns are almost certainly going to drop 40-50 points on the Bears in this game, but it remains to be seen whether they'll score those 50 in a comfortable win or a fourth-quarter shootout. I'm going with the former, but won't be shocked if it's the latter.
Texas 49 - California 27
Dustin McComas
On paper, Texas is the much better team than Cal, who has struggled to begin the season. But this game will probably be closer than people think.
Yes, this is a different Texas team compared to last season. However, until the Longhorns go on the road and take care of business, I can't completely assume this game will go like the matchup on paper says. This is a very young football team making its first road trip of the year, and will kickoff and play a game much later than normal.
That being said, the Texas defense should rattle Davis Webb enough with pressure to force some big mistakes, and the offense should, although it didn't run the ball as effectively against a horrible UTEP defense as it should have, move the ball against a defense that's been awful. But don't be surprised if this one is back and forth for a while, especially if Texas' injury issues pop up again.
Texas 44 - Cal 38
Anwar Richardson
Winning a road game is the final obstacle Texas needs to conquer in this turnaround season. Texas scored 44 points against Cal with Shawn Watson's offense, so Sterlin Gilbert's system should have the same success against the Golden Bears. The only uncertainty is how freshman quarterback Shane Buechele will react in a hostile environment. I get the feeling Buechele will be just fine.
Texas 55 - Cal 31
Jason Suchomel
Texas going on the road for the first time is a bit of a concern, but the Longhorns should have enough talent on offense to overcome any adversity they may face in this one. Part of me wants to predict a high-scoring shootout win, but my gut tells me Texas beats Cal up with the ground game, which will keep the clock running and essentially shorten the game a bit. Cal will move the ball on a Texas defense that still has to prove itself, but I just don't see the Cal defense getting enough stops to get the win.
Texas 41 - Cal 31
Texas comes into the game focused, having already had a night in California, then all day to go through its normal routines. The defense will have to worry about three good-to-very good WRs and one dangerous RB as weapons for Cal's elite QB Davis Webb. The offense, however, will have very few worries on the defensive side of the ball for Cal and should be able to score most every time they get the football. The Texas defense will bring enough pressure to rattle Webb early, and while the Golden Bears may do a good bit of damage to a still-developing Texas defense, it won't be enough. Longhorns go into the bye week 3-0.
Texas 48 - Cal 38
Geoff Ketchum
Like last week, this game is all about the Texas defense and whether or not it allows its opponent to settle in and potentially engage in a shootout. It didn't happen a week ago, but UTEP was essentially playing with an arm behind its back. This week the Longhorns take on a team with a pulse at quarterback, which means we're going to learn a little more about Charlie Strong's defensive troops. Cal is absolutely wretched on defense, so the Longhorns are almost certainly going to drop 40-50 points on the Bears in this game, but it remains to be seen whether they'll score those 50 in a comfortable win or a fourth-quarter shootout. I'm going with the former, but won't be shocked if it's the latter.
Texas 49 - California 27
Dustin McComas
On paper, Texas is the much better team than Cal, who has struggled to begin the season. But this game will probably be closer than people think.
Yes, this is a different Texas team compared to last season. However, until the Longhorns go on the road and take care of business, I can't completely assume this game will go like the matchup on paper says. This is a very young football team making its first road trip of the year, and will kickoff and play a game much later than normal.
That being said, the Texas defense should rattle Davis Webb enough with pressure to force some big mistakes, and the offense should, although it didn't run the ball as effectively against a horrible UTEP defense as it should have, move the ball against a defense that's been awful. But don't be surprised if this one is back and forth for a while, especially if Texas' injury issues pop up again.
Texas 44 - Cal 38
Anwar Richardson
Winning a road game is the final obstacle Texas needs to conquer in this turnaround season. Texas scored 44 points against Cal with Shawn Watson's offense, so Sterlin Gilbert's system should have the same success against the Golden Bears. The only uncertainty is how freshman quarterback Shane Buechele will react in a hostile environment. I get the feeling Buechele will be just fine.
Texas 55 - Cal 31
Jason Suchomel
Texas going on the road for the first time is a bit of a concern, but the Longhorns should have enough talent on offense to overcome any adversity they may face in this one. Part of me wants to predict a high-scoring shootout win, but my gut tells me Texas beats Cal up with the ground game, which will keep the clock running and essentially shorten the game a bit. Cal will move the ball on a Texas defense that still has to prove itself, but I just don't see the Cal defense getting enough stops to get the win.
Texas 41 - Cal 31
