California head coach Justin Wilcox, experienced in leading the Golden Bears on cross-country road trips to venues like Auburn, Mississippi, and North Carolina, now faces the challenge of increased travel as Cal and Bay Area rival Stanford embark on their inaugural season in the ACC. The unique geographical distribution of ACC schools will necessitate frequent long-distance trips for both teams.
Stanford will kick off their ACC campaign against Syracuse on Friday, with Cal following suit by playing Florida State the next day. Wilcox, confident in his team’s preparation following a recent win at Auburn, highlighted the structured routine his team follows to cope with travel, ensuring they are physically and mentally ready for games.
Both teams have adjusted their travel schedules to acclimate to the demands of long flights and time differences. Stanford players have been advised by the nutrition staff to focus on staying hydrated during flights and preserving their sleep schedules to aid in adjusting to time changes. Heading to Syracuse for the Friday game and then to Clemson the following week, the Cardinal aim to manage travel efficiently without staying back East between games.
Apart from Cal and Stanford, other former Pac-12 teams transitioning to the ACC or Big Ten are also set for lengthy road trips for their conference games. The matchups in new venues provide players with an exciting opportunity to compete against unfamiliar opponents and revisit connections from their past. Players like Stanford’s backup quarterback, Justin Lamson, embrace the chance to play at former schools’ stadiums, experiencing the electric atmosphere as a visitor.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza of Cal, a Miami native, anticipates facing teams like Florida State and Miami, schools he grew up watching compete in rivalry games. These upcoming matchups hold special significance for Mendoza, who looks forward to playing against teams that were central to his football upbringing.