This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
UCLA blew the Pac-12's opportunity to go 10-0 in the bowl season, losing 37-29 to Nebraska. Even before the Bruins fell, I was tempted to pick against California in Tuesday's Armed Forces Bowl, just because the potential 10-0 record was so ambitious.
Tuesday's game
California (7-5) vs. Air Force (8-5), Armed Forces Bowl, noon MST, ESPN
Looking back at Cal's 5-0 start, which helped attract ESPN's "GameDay" program to Salt Lake City, the Bears' most impressive victory was a 35-7 victory over a San Diego State team that went on to dominate the Mountain West. That result speaks well for Cal's matchup with Air Force, which lost 27-24 to SDSU in the MW title game.
This will be a high-scoring game, with Cal quarterback Jared Goff racking up a bunch of yards and Air Force's option scheme thriving against the Bears' defense. AFA impressed me with its resurgence this season, beating Boise State and Utah State to win the MW's Mountain Division. I don't picture the Cal defense that gave up 222 rushing yards to Utah's Devontae Booker being able to solve AFA's offense. Air Force 42, California 38.
– Kurt Kragthorpe