The 1968 California Golden Bears football team was an American football team that represented the University of California, Berkeley in the Pacific-8 Conference (Pac-8) during the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. In their fifth year under head coach Ray Willsey, the Golden Bears compiled a 7–3–1 record (2–2–1 in Pac-8, fourth) and outscored their opponents 243 to 114.^[1][2] Home games were played on campus at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California.

This year's team came to be known as "The Bear Minimum", led by defensive lineman Ed White, an All-American and future member of College Hall of Fame. Relying on its defense, Cal ranked as high as eighth in the AP poll in early November. The Bears won 21–7 at Michigan in the season opener and shut out No. 10 Syracuse 43–0 in late October. Earning three shutouts, California held its opponents to 10.4 points a game.^[3] As of 2011, The Bear Minimum still held Cal's records for opponents' average gains per play – 3.60, as well as the fewest rushing touchdowns per season – five (same as the 1937 "Thunder Team"). Its average yards per rush was 2.51 which is still second only to the "Thunder Team" with 2.50 yards per rush.^[4]

California's statistical leaders on offense were quarterback Randy Humphries with 1,247 passing yards, Gary Fowler with 665 rushing yards, and Wayne Stewart with 679 receiving yards.^[5]

^[17]