BearTalk

The Golden Bears (15-8) are No. 26 in today’s RealTimeRPI.com computer ratings — the highest-rated team with as many as eight defeats.

The reason? Their No. 4 strength-of-schedule.

Here’s how some of the teams that Cal played prior to the Pac-10 have fared:

– Kansas is 22-1, ranked No. 1 in the RPI, and unbeaten and alone in first place in the Big 12.

– Syracuse is 23-1, ranked No. 2 in the RPI and in first place in the Big East.

– New Mexico is 21-3, ranked No. 10 in the RPI and tied for first in the Mountain West Conference.

– Ohio State is 18-6, No. 35 in the RPI and tied for second in the Big Ten.

– Murray State is 22-3 overall and first in the Ohio Valley Conference at 13-0.

– Pacific is in first place in the Big West at 8-2.

– UC Santa Barbara is second in the Big West, one-half game back at 8-3.