California vs. TCU: Cheez-It Bowl preview and predictions
California (7-5) vs. TCU (6-6)
Location: Phoenix | When: Dec. 26 (9 p.m. ET) | TV: ESPN | Line: Cal -1
HOW THESE TEAMS GOT HERE
Cal: After a 3-3 start, Cal clinched bowl eligibility with a stretch of four wins in five games, including upsets of Washington and USC, the Golden Bears’ first win over the Trojans since 2003. In just Justin Wilcox’s second season, Cal will play in a bowl game for the first time since Jared Goff’s final collegiate game.
TCU: The Horned Frogs overcame a slew of injuries to reach a bowl game for the 16th time in 18 seasons under Gary Patterson. TCU started 2-0 before proceeding to lose six of its next eight games. Behind the efforts of fifth-year senior third-string quarterback Grayson Muehlstein, however, TCU beat Baylor and Oklahoma State in its last two games to clinch bowl eligibility.
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH
First, and most importantly, you cannot miss the first Cheez-It Bowl. We are very much hoping the winner is awarded a trophy full of Cheez-its. It would be a shame otherwise. On the field, this is a game for all you defense lovers out there. Nationally, Cal has the 16th-best defense and the 110th-best offense. TCU has the No. 26 defense and the No. 91 offense. Points could be hard to come by.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Patrick Laird, RB, Cal: While Cal has often rotated different quarterbacks in and out, Laird, a former walk-on, has been a workhorse for the past two seasons, combining for 2,059 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. He also has combined for 95 receptions for 613 yards and five more scores in that span. The senior would love to cap off his career with a bowl victory.
Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU: Despite playing with three quarterbacks this season, Jalen Reagor has had a great season. The sophomore is fifth in the Big 12 with 72 catches and sixth with 1,061 yards. His nine touchdowns are tied for sixth. Along the way, Reagor has had five games with at least eight catches.
WHAT’S ON THE LINE
Cal: The Golden Bears can win their first bowl game since 2015, when they beat Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl in what was Jared Goff’s last college game. Now, the program can get a bowl win and an 8-5 record in Justin Wilcox’s second season as head coach.
TCU: A win here can give TCU a winning record in 14 of its 18 seasons under Gary Patterson. On top of that, it would give the program some positive vibes headed into the offseason, especially after a season filled with injuries that cratered after a positive start.
PREDICTIONS
Nick Bromberg: Cal 23, TCU 21
Sam Cooper: TCU 24, Cal 17
Pat Forde: TCU 20, Cal 17
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