FSU football: What do 2024 California Bears bring to the table?

FSU football will look to get their first win of the 2024 season when they host the California Bears on Saturday night. It's a game most FSU fans considered a win before the 2024 season. However, the betting lines only have FSU as a slight favorite at -2.5. The Bears come into the matchup 3-0, including an road upset over the Auburn Tigers two weeks ago.

Their three wins are already halfway to their six-win total from last year. The Bears finished last season No. 44 overall in FEI advanced metrics. They had the No. 49 offense and No. 39 defense. Though three games, they rank No. 37 overall, No. 49 offensively, and No. 27 defensively.

California averaged 5.25 yards per play and lean on the run much more than Memphis. The Bears run the ball 55 percent of their plays and average 4.18 yards per rush. Also, like Memphis, they rely on the traditional run game and don't have much of a threat to run at QB.

We saw the FSU defense limit Memphis on the ground, and I expect the same in this matchup. However, I don't think California has the passing offense that Memphis does. California only averages 6.8 yards per pass.

Defensively, California isn't special and benefitted from a +8 turnover margin. They forced five turnovers against Auburn and only mustered 21 points.

The FSU offense has struggled with turnovers lately but can win this game if they can limit them Saturday night. FSU can't play any worse offensively and could benefit from getting one of their starting offensive linemen back.