Cal vs. Texas: Golden Bears' Future Comes Down to Zach Maynard's QB Play

Cal has become a breeding ground for star running backs. Now if they can just find a quarterback worthy of the big stage.

Jeff Tedford was anointed a quarterback guru only to see the proud Cal Golden Bears falter many times from shoddy quarterback play. They finally have a sizable presence under center with a huge arm in Zach Maynard. 

Cal has had their shot at glory before. It all came crashing down with a blunder to end all blunders from former Cal starter Kevin Riley. The video is rife with cringe-worthy mistakes. 

The Holiday Bowl is nowhere near as pressure-filled as that fateful day that could have seen the Bears take the No. 1 spot in the nation. However, it will go a long way to determine if Cal finally has the quarterback they have been promised for years. 

Maynard has indeed shown flashes of being a mobile quarterback that can launch the ball with precision. There have also been some forgettable games that will have Cal fans thinking more Justin Vedder than Aaron Rodgers. 

It's hard not to like Cal's chances to upset as Texas shuffles their own quarterbacks and the Golden Bears settle in with a young man who has thrown for 2,802 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

We can't forget the 11 interceptions and the ability for Maynard to turn ugly at the snap of a finger. Cal fans will no doubt point to a horrendous game against UCLA that saw their QB toss four picks in a rout. 

Cal is no football powerhouse, but they have been on the cusp pf greatness a few times in their storied history. If they are going to make a bid for the Rose Bowl or greater ventures in the next couple seasons, it will happen behind the efforts of a promising Zach Maynard. 

How he does under the lights of the Holiday Bowl will answer whether he is the right man for the job or just another quarterback that Jeff Tedford fails to ever see blossom. 

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