Can Cal Football Make ESPN's Top 25 Rankings This Season?
As I sit here watching the latest Cal football practice, I can't help but wonder if this might finally be the season we crack ESPN's Top 25 rankings. I've been covering college sports for over fifteen years now, and something about this Cal team feels different - the energy, the chemistry, the raw talent that seems to be clicking at just the right moment. It reminds me of watching championship teams in other sports find their rhythm during crucial moments, much like what we're seeing unfold in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, where everything comes down to one last day of elimination round play to determine how the Final Four will take shape.
Looking at Cal's schedule and returning roster, I'm genuinely optimistic about our chances. We've got 18 returning starters, including quarterback Fernando Mendoza who threw for 2,000 yards last season despite only starting eight games. The defense brings back 85% of its production from last year's squad that held opponents to under 24 points per game. These numbers matter - they're the foundation upon which ranking arguments are built. What really excites me though is watching how Coach Wilcox has evolved his offensive scheme. I was at spring practices, and the offense looks more dynamic than anything we've seen in Berkeley in recent memory. They're running more RPO concepts, incorporating creative misdirection plays, and frankly, it's beautiful to watch when it works.
The comparison to volleyball's elimination rounds isn't accidental - both sports share that same pressure-cooker environment where every game matters. In the UAAP tournament, teams face that single elimination day that makes or breaks their Final Four aspirations. For Cal football, our "elimination day" comes in the form of those crucial conference matchups against USC, Washington, and Oregon. Win two of those three, and I believe we're seriously talking about Top 25 consideration. Lose all three, and well, it's another season of what-ifs. I've seen this program come close before - remember 2019 when we started 4-0 and nearly cracked the rankings before injuries derailed everything? That experience taught me how fragile these opportunities can be.
What gives me confidence this time is the depth. Last season, we used 12 different offensive line combinations due to injuries, and while it hurt our consistency, it gave valuable playing time to younger players. Now, those same players are pushing for starting jobs, creating genuine competition at nearly every position. I was speaking with offensive coordinator Mike Bloesch last month, and he mentioned how different the energy is this year - players are fighting for roles rather than just accepting them. That internal competition breeds excellence, and it shows during scrimmages.
The special teams unit deserves more attention than it typically gets. Dario Longhetto returns after hitting 15 of 18 field goals last season, including a 51-yard game-winner against Stanford. In close games - the kind that determine whether you're ranked or not - having a reliable kicker is worth at least two wins per season. I'd argue his leg might be the difference between 7-5 and 9-3 this year.
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room - our schedule does us no favors. We open against UC Davis (should be a win), then face Auburn on the road. That Auburn game is massive for our ranking prospects. Win there, and we immediately catch the attention of voters. Lose competitively, and we might still earn some respect. Get blown out, and well, we're probably having a different conversation entirely. The Pac-12 schedule is brutal as always, but I actually think that works in our favor if we can steal some upsets. Voters respect quality losses more in power conferences, something I've noticed covering college football for years.
The receiving corps might be the most improved unit on the team. Jeremiah Hunter returns after 58 catches last season, but it's the emergence of freshmen like Nyziah Hunter that has me most excited. During summer workouts, that kid was making catches that defied physics. Pair that with Trond Grizzell's reliability in the slot, and Mendoza has weapons he simply didn't have last season.
I keep thinking back to that UAAP volleyball tournament structure - how everything culminates in that final elimination day that determines the Final Four. For Cal football, our "elimination period" is really that three-game stretch in October against UCLA, Washington State, and Oregon. Survive that with two wins, and we're positioned beautifully for a ranking push in November. The timing matters too - if we can enter November with 6 or 7 wins, we'll catch the attention of casual fans and voters who start paying closer attention as the season winds down.
The defensive secondary deserves special mention. We intercepted 12 passes last season, but what impressed me most was how they improved as the season progressed. In the final four games, they allowed just 185 passing yards per contest - that's top-25 caliber production. If they maintain that level, combined with our offensive improvements, we become a complete football team.
Here's what I believe separates potentially ranked teams from the rest: the ability to win close games. Last season, we went 3-2 in games decided by one score. Improve that to 4-1 or 5-0, and the win total jumps significantly. The coaching staff has emphasized situational football all offseason - two-minute drills, red zone efficiency, third-down conversions. During a recent practice, I watched them run two-minute scenarios for nearly an hour. That attention to detail pays off when the pressure mounts.
Ultimately, making ESPN's Top 25 requires more than just wins - it requires moments that capture attention. A dramatic comeback, a stunning upset, a highlight-reel play that gets shared across social media. I believe this Cal team has those moments in them. The talent is there, the schedule provides opportunities, and the coaching has evolved. Will it happen? I'm cautiously optimistic. The pieces are in place for a special season in Berkeley - one that could finally end with that coveted number next to our name.