--- title: "Wake Forest Prepares for High Expectations Before Cal Game" url: https://newscentral.site/wake-forest-prepares-for-high-expectations-before-cal-game/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Sports" published: 2026-10-15T18:08:43.000Z updated: 2026-10-15T18:49:30.085Z id: 3a539e67-1756-43e0-acb0-f10d41b6ba75 source: "Yahoo Sports https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/wake-forest-vs-cal-preview-180843188.html" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/wake-forest-prepares-for-high-expectations-before-cal-game/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Wake Forest Prepares for High Expectations Before Cal Game The Demon Deacons have a 5-1 record and sit atop the ACC standings after an impressive performance, earning them a spot at number 21 in the current AP Poll. Wake Forest is preparing to face Cal in Berkeley on Saturday night, but before that they must contend with a different kind of opponent: high expectations. The Demon Deacons have been riding a wave of success, boasting a 5-1 record and sitting atop the ACC standings. Their impressive performance has earned them a spot at number 21 in the current AP Poll, a far cry from their preseason prediction to finish 13th in the conference. Head coach Jake Dickert is now navigating the pressure that comes with being a top-ranked team, using some of his time to preach about staying present and focused. Dickert's own success has earned him a spot on the candidate list for the prestigious Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award. Meanwhile, his players are reaping individual accolades, winning ACC awards each week. It seems that the team's newfound status is bringing out the best in them, but it also presents challenges as they strive to maintain their momentum. The Wake Forest team is still feeling the effects of their game against Miami, with the first half continuing to weigh heavily on their minds. Coach Dickert has made it clear that he doesn't focus on what could have been, instead emphasizing the importance of preparing for each new opponent. He believes that his team's performance in the last six games should not influence their approach to upcoming matches, and that every week brings a fresh challenge. Dickert only found out about being considered for the Dodd Coach of the Year award when it was mentioned during an interview with him earlier this week. The matchup between Wake Forest and Cal promises to be an intriguing one, with both teams showcasing their strengths on the field. Brousseau's impressive performance against VA Tech is a testament to his skills as a quarterback, having completed 29 of 43 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown. A key factor in this game will be how well Cal's new offense adapts to its second-half adjustments under Pat McCann, who took over play-calling duties from Jordan Somerville at halftime of the UNLV game. This change has had significant implications for the team's strategy, and Wake Forest coaches are closely monitoring their tendencies. Dickert has a good understanding of Brousseau, having recruited him during his time at Washington State. He describes the quarterback as an "absolute winner who is expected to return to the field once he clears concussion protocol. This assumption will likely influence the team's game plan and strategy. Cal's aggressive defensive style, which was evident during Lupoi's tenure as defensive coordinator at Oregon, has resulted in a high number of interceptions, with the team tied for ninth in the country with seven picks. Sophomore defensive back Kingston Lopa has been particularly effective, accounting for five of these turnovers. Wake Forest's defense has been impressive in forcing turnovers, and sophomore defensive back Kingston Lopa has been particularly effective, accounting for five of these turnovers. The team will need to maintain this level of performance if they are to contain Cal's offense, which often blitzes from multiple points on any down. This aggressive strategy keeps the opponent off-balance and can lead to big plays. As Coach Dickert noted, Third and long is a danger zone, and his team must be prepared to respond. The Family Business While Gabe Kirschke focuses on getting to Cal's quarterback, his father Travis will be honored in Southern California this weekend. A member of the 1993 class at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, Travis was inducted into the California High School Football Hall of Fame, a prestigious group that includes Keyshawn Johnson and Pat Tillman among others. Travis Kirschke went on to have an impressive NFL career with Detroit, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh, where he won two Super Bowl rings. His accomplishments are well-known to Coach Dickert, who said, Gabe's dad was a really good player." Gabe's personality is shaped by his father's influence, which is evident in his strong will and desire to excel on the field. He shares many of the same traits as his dad, including a willingness to learn from coaches and strive for greatness in every aspect of his game. The Cal team has also been generating buzz off the field with their unique tribute to Bay Area music icons, the Grateful Dead. Their helmets will feature prominent logos paying homage to this legendary band. We shared images of the uniforms with Coach Dickert, who expressed some disappointment that they weren't entirely tie-dye designs. Even Bill Walton, a noted fan of the Grateful Dead, would have appreciated such an approach, although he confessed to not being part of their devoted fan base. As it turns out, Coach Dickert has a different musical preference, favoring country music over the iconic rock sound of the Grateful Dead. --- Source: [Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/wake-forest-vs-cal-preview-180843188.html) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/wake-forest-prepares-for-high-expectations-before-cal-game/