Coach Justin Wilcox has four weeks to prepare the Golden Bears for their Sept.1 opener against North Carolina and its flat-earth devotee of a coach.

Unlike the Tar Heels’ Larry Fedora, Wilcox won’t need to waste any time explaining to his players (or their parents, not to mention the campus faculty) why he recently denied any relationship between football and CTE.

Even so, Wilcox and his staff have a full plate as they begin fall practices. Here are five issues that need addressing before Michael Jordan’s alma mater comes to town:

* Find a defensive line: The Bears’ defense leaped from abysmal to competent last season for two primary reasons: It generated 24 turnovers and improved at stopping the run. Cal was one of the nation’s worst run defenses in 2016, allowing a whopping 272.8 yards per game. Last fall, that number was slashed to 164.1.

But end Luc Bequette is the only full-time starter back in the front three. The Bears are counting on Rusty Becker and Chris Palmer to deliver as seniors, hope Zeandae Johnson returns to health, and await the contributions of JC transfer and New Zealand native Lone Toailoa.

Wilcox says he’s more excited than concerned to see what this group looks like. Anything short of 2017 standards could flip-flop that outlook.

* Replace the defectors at wideout: Cal lost three would-be returning receivers during the offseason, none more impactful than Demetris Robertson, who transferred to Georgia. The Bears have no one with Robertson’s deep-threat skills, but they do have some options.

Freshman Nikko Remigio was a four-star recruit out of Mater Dei High, which beat De La Salle for the California state title. Michigan transfer Moe Ways provides a big target at 6-4, 220. And the Bears have as many as nine tight ends on the roster, giving offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin the option to mix a variety of alignments.

* Solidify the O-line: Yes, the Bears return all five starters here. That’s the good news. The bad news? Cal ranked 10th in the Pac-12 in rushing offense and allowed 35 sacks. The status quo is not an option.

Center Addison Ooms and tackle Patrick Mekari are the Bears’ best up front, but creating depth will be critical. Can senior Semisi Uluave stay healthy? Will sophomore Michael Saffell continue to develop? Is Will Craig ready to contribute as a true freshman?

* Find a No. 2 running back: Patrick Laird joked at media day that the coaching staff won’t give him 43 carries a game, but he is the roster’s only proven back. Someone else has to step forward.

The Bears went heavy on running backs during recruiting, and any or all of them could find a place in the rotation. Freshmen Johnny Adams Jr. (5-10, 195) and Christopher Brown Jr. (6-1, 220) offer speed and power, respectively. JC arrival Marcel Dancy is regarded as an excellent receiver out of the backfield.

* Settle the quarterback picture: Incumbent Ross Bowers, who threw for more than 3,000 yards with 18 touchdowns last fall, is the favorite to retain the No. 1 spot. But Brandon McIlwain, a transfer from South Carolina who offers a running threat, will compete for the job, or at least a role.

Asked if he could envision potentially using both quarterbacks, Wilcox said everything remains on the table.

“When we get to be a few days out from the game I’ll have a much better idea,” Wilcox said. “Just as a disclaimer, I probably won’t tell you much.”