When Cal visits Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday night in the Bears’ historic Atlantic Coast Conference debut, two related questions will figure in the outcome:
— Are the Bears as good as their 3-0 record?
— Are the Seminoles as bad as their 0-3 mark?
Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who grew up at the opposite end of Florida in Miami, is familiar with the Seminoles, defending ACC champs and a college football power for most of his lifetime. He’s not buying that FSU has become an easy mark.
“Last year they won 13 games, which is pretty incredible,” Mendoza said. “And although Florida State has an 0-3 start and a lot of people might be ragging on them on social media, they’re still a really good team.”
Everyone thought that would be the case. The Seminoles were No. 10 in the preseason AP Top-25 but have become the first team since 1976 to complete an undefeated regular season and lose their first three games the next year.
With defeats to ACC rivals Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland, and Boston College at Tallahassee, the Seminoles fell to 0-2 in conference play and reside in last place. Last weekend, FSU lost 20-12 at home to Memphis, where ‘Noles coach Mike Norvel previously coached.
Adding insult to injury was a fire alarm that sounded at the end of Norvel’s post-game news conference and this recorded message on the PA: “You must leave the building.”
Norvel earns $10 million as part of a contract that runs through 2031 and carries a $65 million buyout, so he’s likely to be leaving the building anytime soon. An offensive specialist, Norvel must figure out why FSU has no rhythm in its attack and is averaging just 15.3 points — 19 points fewer than a year ago.
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei transferred from Oregon State, where last season he threw five touchdown passes in the Beavers’ 52-40 win over Cal. He has thrown just one in three games for FSU. It hasn’t helped that the Seminoles are gaining just 2.2 yards per rush attempt.
Cal coach Justin Wilcox says his team will not judge the Seminoles by their win-loss record.
“The records are the records, but if you sit down in our office and turn the tape on, you see what you see and you trust that,” Wilcox said. “They’re a very gifted team, they’ve got really good coaches and they’re a prideful outfit.
“So we know what’s in store and we’ll have to play our best game.”
The Bears are confident they have yet to play that game, delivering three victories despite playing without as many as seven injured starters in their 31-10 win over San Diego State last week.
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Wilcox said star running back Jaydn Ott, among those out last week with an ankle sprain, is probable to return. Two offensive line starters, guard Sioape Vatikani and center Will McDonald, may be ready to make the season debuts. And outside linebacker David Reese, the Bears’ top pass rusher, also is on the mend.
Tight end Corey Dyches, a transfer from Maryland who caught his first TD for Cal last week, is eager to see continued growth.
“We have a great team and we’ve yet to play our best football,” Dyches said. “We’re going to come out and have our best game this weekend.”
Mendoza, whose only FBS scholarship offer came late from the Bears, was asked how the high school version of himself would digest the idea that he would be the starting quarterback for an undefeated Cal team playing at Florida State in its ACC opener.
“He wouldn’t have believed you,” Mendoza said, laughing. “The high school senior Fernando thought we were going to Yale and playing in the Ivy League.”
