The 2018 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bears went 7âÂÂ6 during Justin Wilcox's second year as head coach. The Bears upset #15 Washington 12âÂÂ10 and defeated USC 15âÂÂ14 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles to snap a 15-year losing streak to the Trojans, but at the same time, they also snapped a 18-year losing streak to USC in the Coliseum. They lost 10âÂÂ7 in overtime to TCU in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl.
Cal's offensive efficiency ranked as the second worst among all Power Five teams. This ranking was in direct contrast to Cal's offensive performances under Cal's previous coach Sonny Dykes; in 2014 Cal was ranked No. 11 in nation in points scored, and in 2015 was ranked No. 13 in total yards. However, there was an inverse contrast in team's defensive performance as Wilcox's 2018 team was ranked No. 15 in total yards allowed as opposed to consistent bottom of the charts performances under Dykes. Two standouts of Cal's defense were second team All-Pac-12 linebacker junior Evan Weaver who had 155 tackles and two interceptions, and first team All-Pac-12 senior Jordan Kunaszyk who had 143 tackles, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovered; Kunaszyk went undrafted but was later signed by the Carolina Panthers.
On December 5, 2017, defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro left the Golden Bears after one season to become the new defensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins under Chip Kelly.
The Golden Bears had two individuals selected in the 2018 NFL draft.
The Golden Bears signed a total of 21 recruits.
<small>Listed in the order that they were released</small>
The 2018 Pac-12 media days were set for July 25, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Justin Wilcox (HC), Patrick Laird (RB) & Jordan Kunaszyk (LB) at Pac-12 media days. The Pac-12 media poll was released with the Golden Bears predicted to finish in fourth place at Pac-12 North division.