Cal Faces No. 21 SMU Today in High-Stakes Post-Wilcox Showdown

UPDATE: The Cal Bears are set to host the No. 21 SMU Mustangs today at 5 p.m. PST at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, marking a pivotal moment in the post-Justin Wilcox era. With Wilcox’s recent firing following a disappointing 31-10 loss to Stanford, interim head coach Nick Rolovich leads the team into this critical matchup.

This game matters immensely for both teams. The Mustangs, currently holding an 8-3 record and ranked 25th in the AP Top-25, can clinch a spot in the ACC Championship game with a victory over Cal. A loss, however, could complicate their championship aspirations, leading to a convoluted tiebreaker scenario.

Cal enters this game with a 6-5 overall record and 3-4 in the ACC. Rolovich, who has served as the team’s senior offensive analyst, indicated he is open to remaining with the program, depending on the next coaching hire from general manager Ron Rivera.

Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has 2,787 passing yards this season and is just 117 yards away from surpassing Aaron Rodgers for the No. 10 spot on Cal’s single-season list. Senior defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina is also a player to watch, boasting 49 tackles, the highest for a Cal defensive lineman since Luc Bequette in 2019.

“We know what’s at stake today,” Rolovich stated. “The team is ready to play hard and show what we can achieve.”

On the other side, SMU’s quarterback Kevin Jennings stands out with 3,113 passing yards and 24 touchdowns this season. He previously threw for 225 yards and two TDs against Cal in their last meeting, a 38-6 victory last year.

Head coach Rhett Lashlee, who recently signed a contract extension through 2032, has led SMU to an impressive 14-1 record in ACC regular-season games over the past two years. He emphasized the importance of this game for his team’s championship goals.

Key stats reveal that Cal’s wide receiver Jacob De Jesus has made 53 catches in the last five games, leading the ACC and ranking third nationally with 87 receptions overall. He needs just 14 catches over the next two games to break the single-season program record.

Additionally, Cal cornerback Hezekiah Masses leads the nation with 17 passes defended, which includes five interceptions—the most in FBS. SMU, meanwhile, ranks in the top five nationally for both interceptions (17) and fumble recoveries (10), leading the nation with a total of 27 takeaways.

As kickoff approaches, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this high-stakes matchup unfolds. Both teams have much to gain, and the urgency is palpable. Will Cal manage to turn the page after Wilcox, or will SMU solidify its championship bid?

Stay tuned for live updates as this thrilling game kicks off shortly!