Miami’s head coach, Mario Cristobal, spoke on ESPN College Gameday on Saturday and discussed a variety of issues, including the team’s upcoming trip to California and game against the Golden Bears. While talking about the game, Cristobal also mentioned Cal’s head coach, Justin Wilcox, and the logistics of traveling 2,576 miles from Coral Gables to Berkeley—the longest trip in the continental United States for any team this season, according to Gameday.
Wilcox, now in his eighth season at Cal and a former player for the Bears in the late 1990s, has faced Cristobal multiple times. From 2018 to 2021, while Cristobal coached at Oregon, the two went head-to-head, with Cristobal holding a 3-1 advantage. Oregon won three of those four matchups, with the only loss to Wilcox coming during the shortened 2020 season.
Wilcox’s overall record at Cal stands at 39-44, but the team is off to a strong 3-1 start this year. Cal’s best season under Wilcox was in 2019 when they finished 8-5, including a victory over Illinois in the Red Box Bowl. The Bears also have a reputation for a strong defense, leading the nation in interceptions this season.
Cristobal commented on the painstaking preparation required for the trip, which marks Miami’s first game in the Pacific Time Zone since 2008. He also has personal ties to California, having been a member of the Hurricanes team that defeated Cal 52-24 in 1990. Miami will face a difficult test against California’s defense, which has been the strongest the Hurricanes have seen this season. Minimizing mistakes will be critical for Miami, especially after Cam Ward’s four turnovers against Cal earlier this season.
Cristobal, famed for his meticulous approach, is certain that Miami is up to the job. This game also brings back memories for Cristobal, since he has traveled from the West Coast when coaching at Oregon.
