Cal came into the 2025 season with mixed expectations as a newly constructed roster and consecutive six-win seasons leaving many questions. The Bears started the year with three straight wins until a loss against San Diego State threw a wrench in their plans. Cal has managed to salvage a 4-2 record halfway through the season, most recently losing decisively to Duke at home. 

Now facing North Carolina, the Bears have an opportunity to go 5-2 to start a season for the first time since 2015, back when Jared Goff was quarterback. The Daily Californian’s football beat writers Stephania Bitton and Ethan Teeguarden try to navigate the Bears’ rollercoaster of a season so far.

What is Cal’s most glaring issue halfway through the season?

Ethan Teeguarden: Cal’s offense ranks No. 14 in the ACC overall, which is simply not good enough. Last year, the Bears were mediocre on offense, but they still put themselves in winnable situations by having the second best defensive unit in the conference. Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has obviously been a highlight of the offense, but in Cal’s two losses there have been plenty of the inevitable freshman woes. If the Bears want to turn blowout losses like the one against Duke into winnable games, they have to make up for their lack of offensive prowess by playing exceptional defense and not turning the ball over.

Stefania Bitton: Cal’s most glaring issue is their inability to sustain momentum once the game turns against them. The Bears have a tendency to unravel the moment a play doesn’t go their way — a single turnover or blown coverage can snowball into a full-blown collapse. We’ve seen it repeatedly: they lose games they should win yet somehow pull off upsets against stronger opponents, such as their win against Minnesota. Whether it’s a lack of preparation or shaken confidence, Cal hasn’t shown the mental resilience needed to stabilize once things start slipping. Their homecoming game against Duke was the clearest example. After jumping out to a 14 point lead in the first quarter, the Bears surrendered four straight scoring drives in the second and finished with four interceptions. Until they learn to weather those in-game swings, Cal will keep finding itself on the wrong end of winnable matchups.

What has Cal done well so far?

ET: I think the biggest issue with this Cal team is that it hasn’t done anything outstandingly well so far, at least statistically. If anything, the Bears have done well to get past the horror show in San Diego to still be 4-2 halfway through the season. Cal has shown signs of being a great team even in a loss, like in the first half against Duke. While the Bears’ schedule is light compared to last year, wins against Minnesota and Boston College could have easily been losses if a few plays went differently. That ability to keep it pushing has put the blue and gold in a position to finally get to 5-2 for the first time since the Goff era.

SB: Cal has done a solid job in developing its transfer players and reinvesting in the talent that stayed after last season’s roster shakeup. The Bears brought in several transfers with varying levels of experience, and many have quickly become key contributors. Mason Mini has emerged as a reliable scoring threat, while Hezekiah Masses, Harrison Taggart and Jacob De Jesus have each made meaningful impacts on both sides of the ball. For all its inconsistency, Cal has shown progress in turning new additions into core playmakers.

What will the Bears’ final record be? 

ET: 7-5. My 6-6 prediction at the beginning of the season was largely based on my lack of faith in Cal to close out games it should win. So far, there has been one glaring loss in a game that the Bears should have been able to win. Being 4-2 puts Cal in a good spot, and I really only see two heavily unfavorable matchups remaining — No. 18 Virginia and Louisville. The remaining games are up for grabs, and if the Bears can pull off back-to-back wins at home coming off their bye week, they could build enough momentum to finish with seven or eight wins.

SB: 7-5. At the beginning of the season, I predicted the Bears would finish 7-5, not because I doubted their talent but because I wasn’t sure they could make it through a full season without slipping up. Now, as they head into this matchup against North Carolina at 4-2, that projection still feels about right. If Cal can take care of business against North Carolina, Stanford and SMU, it’ll be right on pace. But to get there, the Bears will need to clean up their turnovers, keep the offense efficient and prove they can close out tough games down the stretch — something that’s eluded them all season.Â