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Bye Week Open Thread

Bear_tiny by ragnarok on in Football

And to think, my Thanksgiving weekend was going so well.

I drove down to San Diego on Wednesday to visit the in-laws for Thanksgiving, had a lovely dinner, got some drinks with some of her friends, did some holiday shopping, and watched Battlestar Galactica for the first time.  I even taught my mother-in-law how to play Wii for the first time.  That was fun.  I was going to drive back to the Bay Area this morning, hoping to get back early enough to catch part of the Civil War, and then help a friend move on Sunday, but alas, it is not meant to be.  Found out late last night that my car refuses to start, and I don't know why (already tried jumping it).  Gonna call AAA in the morning, but until this gets figured out, I'm stuck in Southern California until further notice.  No plans, nothing to do but sit around and watch a bunch of football today.

So, anyway, here's what I'll be watching:

Broadcast TV:
#22 Georgia Tech @ #11 Georgia, 9:00AM - CBS
Auburn @ #1 Alabama, 12:30PM - CBS
#4 Florida @ #20 Florida State, 12:30PM - ABC
#3 Oklahoma @ #12 Oklahoma State, 5:00PM - ABC

Four rivalry games featuring seven ranked teams, and I'm really only expecting Oklahoma at Oklahoma State to be close.  An upset Cowboy victory would straighten out the Big XII South and send Texas Tech to the conference title game, leaving Texas the luxury of sitting around and waiting for a BCS bid.  Oklahoma, on the other hand, could use some style points to stay ahead of Texas; simply beating the 'Pokes may not be enough to get them to Kansas City.  Either way, I think the only way Texas is denied a BCS bid is if Oklahoma wins, but so poorly that Texas passes them, where the Longhorns somehow lose to Missouri in the title game.

Meanwhile, Alabama and Florida get tuneups before the SEC title game, though, as the cliché goes, rivalry games can be unnecessarily difficult.  I think both the Crimson Tide and the Gators assure themselves of a BCS berth simply by winning today.

Basic Cable:
Virginia @ Virginia Tech, 9:00AM - ESPN
South Carolina @ Clemson, 9:00AM - ESPN2
Kansas @ #13 Missouri, 9:30AM - Versus
Maryland @ #21 Boston College, 12:30PM - ESPN2
Baylor @ #7 Texas Tech. 12:30PM - Comcast Sports Net Bay Area
Kentucky @ Tennessee, 3:30PM - ESPN2
#23 Oregon @ #17 Oregon State, 4:00PM - Versus
Notre Dame @ #5 USC, 5:00PM - ESPN

I hope you get Versus; if you don't, find a friend (or a bar) that does.  With a Rose Bowl berth on the line, I'm expecting this Civil War to be a doozy; let's say ... decided late on some clutch (or not-so-clutch) field goal kicking.  If that doesn't sufficiently intrigue you, know this:  in all likelihood, an Oregon State victory sends Cal to the Holiday Bowl, while an Oregon upset kicks the Bears down to the Emerald.

The rest of the slate features some surprisingly non-intriguing rivalry games.  Battles in Virginia and South Carolina just don't compel me, and calling Maryland at BC a rivalry only proves how screwed up the ACC expansion was.  I will be shocked if ND or Baylor comes within 4 touchdowns of USC or Texas Tech, and the thing that puzzles me most is this:  Tennessee has, like, 4 different rivals in the SEC (Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Vanderbilt), and they end the season with Kentucky?  Kentucky?  Maybe I'd care if it were a basketball game...

Pay-Per-View or No TV:
Syracuse @ #16 Cincinnati, 9:00AM
Washington State @ Hawai'i, 8:00PM

Cincy has already clinched the Big East title, making their home game against Syracuse even less compelling.  Meanwhile, Wazzu mercifully ends its season in Hawai'i, which is a pretty nice consolation prize for such a terrible, terrible season of football.

Oh, and when the Civil War is done, since I'll still be stuck in SoCal, I'll turn to my trusty ESPN Gametracker to follow the finals of the Global Sports Classic featuring:

California vs. Florida State, 7:30PM

In case you hadn't heard, the Bears topped UNLV in the tournament's opening game last night (no, those two games last week don't count) 73-55.  I especially liked Jerome Randle's line:

18 points on 5-11 shooting, including 4-5 beyond the arc and 4-4 on free throws, 6 rebounds, 8 assists to only 4 turnovers, and a steal.

5 Bears scored in double figures, and the Cal defense held UNLV to less than 30% shooting.  They take on 6-0 Florida State tonight, and while I think this is a game the Bears can win, they haven't yet played back-to-back games this season, so we'll see how well the defense holds up on tired legs.

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Have you considered screaming really loudly at your car? That’s what I do.

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2008 7:31 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

Good news, everybody!

My car works again! Hurray! Good riddance, southern California.

Bad news…gonna miss most of today’s football action. Oh well, still beats fighting through Sunday post-Thanksgiving traffic.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Nov 29, 2008 12:02 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I really hope my plan worked. My washer wasn’t working yesterday, so I hit it really hard and then it worked. I’m a magician!

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2008 4:00 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Don’t sleep on Baylor! Robert Griffin, baby. Robert Griffin and track stars!

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 9:06 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

Don’t forgEt Max Zhang blocking 3 shots a game while only playing 6 minutes per. TOOT TOOT!

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 9:09 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

I'm rooting for Tech

and the triple option

A shame the Civil War is on Versus…then again, no one really figured this rivalry game to be that prominent on a weekend filled with rivalry games.

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Nov 29, 2008 9:29 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

I love that I can root for OSU today...

…not so much that I like OSU or dislike Oregon, but I don’t have to do something that makes me feel dirty, like hoping U$c or Stanfurd wins to propel us into the Holiday Bowl.

by LovinBlue on Nov 29, 2008 10:36 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

Wow. Anyone watching Mizzou play Kansas on CSN… Please stop telling me they have the BeSt OfFeNZ eVaIR

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 10:58 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

Georgia Tech-Georgia

This GT option offense is fantastic today. They’ve scored 26 unanswered points and have gone up 38-28.

(☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2008 11:55 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

Indeed

I love watching the option. I would hate trying to defend it, though.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Nov 29, 2008 12:00 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Yeah, it reminds me of the first quarter and a half against Air Force last year. That was a tough offense to figure out.

(☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2008 12:17 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Am I the only Cal fan who hates watching the option?

BOO!! THE FOOTBALL WAS MEANT TO BE THROWN

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 12:28 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

i know this game is high scoring

but can you really call it a “shootout” when GT is running the option?

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Nov 29, 2008 12:31 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

not yet you can't

georgia within 3

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Nov 29, 2008 12:37 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Dwyer for 63yds

3rd play of the drive. Guaranteed.

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 12:38 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Clemson is busted up Sout Carolina tpp

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 12:11 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

S E C ! S E C ! S E C !

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 12:12 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

*busting

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 12:12 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Who are Grambling State and Southern?

And why are they on NBC?

(☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2008 12:27 PM PST reply reply   0 recs

I don't know

but I’m sure they tackle better than Georgia’s LBs and Secondary

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 12:29 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

they are Historically Black Colleges

and their marching bands are fantastic. Grambling has 3 auditions to get into their band – music, marching, and dancing.

i think this game is on TV every year.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Nov 29, 2008 12:30 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Thanks. I can appreciate that.

(☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2008 12:35 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

It is

biggest rivalry of historically black schools

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 12:36 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Stuckey for Kansas is having a beautiful game in the secondary.

by BearsNecessity on Nov 29, 2008 12:33 PM PST reply reply   0 recs

ok, i'm outta here

enjoy the games, folks. go beavs!

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Nov 29, 2008 12:37 PM PST reply reply   0 recs

Kansas is really taking it to Mizzou.

by BearsNecessity on Nov 29, 2008 12:40 PM PST reply reply   0 recs

DINNER AT THE MANGINO'S!

I’m sure there’s plenty of food to go around (although I doubt any of it is leftovers)

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 12:45 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

He makes the Fridge look like Kate Moss.

(☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2008 12:55 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

That's funny

I imagine Twist makes Kate Moss look like the Fridge… from what I’ve heard around here

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 12:56 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

That is true. I do have a woefully inadequate penis.

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2008 4:01 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

hahahahahaha

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 29, 2008 1:03 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

The Fridge makes Kate Moss look like the Wasilla of Corvallis.

or something

Sheriff of the Welcome Team.
Welcome.
But Stop Arguing Nate vs. Kevin.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Nov 29, 2008 1:13 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I miss Sarah Palin. She was funny. I sort of wanted to see her be the VP just so we could have years and years of Tina Fey doing impressions of her.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 29, 2008 1:17 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I agree with HydroTech. The absolute boon of comedy would have WELL outweighed the epic global collapse.

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2008 4:02 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

"We’re gonna take it week by week. If she wins, I’m done," [Tina] Fey tells TV Guide in the Oct. 20 issue. "I can’t do that for four years. And by ‘I’m done,’ I mean I’m leaving Earth."

It's seriously too bad that there's no building or complex around that might have a large supply of sports drinks.

by thenick on Nov 29, 2008 11:25 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Just in time to switch over after the Civil War...

I just hope Randle isn’t worn out after doing everything last night

Go Bears!!

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 1:24 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Riley to Morrah in te Holiday Bowl baby

Whooo Whooo

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 1:03 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hot wings for everyone!

Care of Mangino.

(☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2008 1:04 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

And you mean EVERYONE

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 1:04 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I’M SO EXCITED FOR THE CIVIL WAR!!!

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 29, 2008 1:05 PM PST reply reply   0 recs

Me too. These great morning openers have me excited for the Civil War.

(☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2008 1:07 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Sort of ironic, how if Oregon State wins, that the Pac-10 will get two teams into the BCS when it’s arguably having a down year.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 29, 2008 1:06 PM PST reply reply   0 recs

Welcome to the genius of the BCS.

by BearsNecessity on Nov 29, 2008 1:07 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

It seems like every conference has 'had a down year' this year

except for Big 12. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a bad bowl record.

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 1:08 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

What happens to Mizzou

Hydro,

Mizzou just lost to Kansas… what happens if they lose the Big12 championship? Does this mean they miss the Holiday?

BTW: That game was the game of the year.

by danzig on Nov 29, 2008 1:09 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I’d love to give you an answer, Danzig. But that question is probably one for Ragnarok.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 29, 2008 1:11 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

It's the bowl's choice

it seems like it’s between OK State, Mizzou, Nebraska (assuming the Cotton takes Texas Tech)

And this is all assuming the favorites win out in the conference

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 1:11 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

The Cotton will take the loser out of the Big 12 South scrum (non-BCS one), probably Texas Tech; the Holiday Bowl probably takes Okie State, unless they have a huge mancrush on Chase Daniel.

by BearsNecessity on Nov 29, 2008 1:17 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

QUESTION FOR THOSE WHO WERE AT BIG GAME

What the heck happened on our failed PAT? They never really showed replays on TV. It looked like Nate got the snap down fine, but nothing happened. As in the kicker never even started his approach, so then Nate rolled out.

I know it wasn’t a fake PAT by the way the OL was blocking. So it definitely wasn’t a fake, but what the heck happened??? Did anyone get a better look? I didn’t even see the play, I was busy rolling up people.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 29, 2008 1:14 PM PST reply reply   0 recs

Botched blocking assignment = Nate goes down?

Sheriff of the Welcome Team.
Welcome.
But Stop Arguing Nate vs. Kevin.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Nov 29, 2008 1:31 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

bad snap (to longshores outside shoulder)

no way for him to get the ball down to kick, so he stood up….tavecchio tried to get outside for a pass (his asignment on a blown snap) and it all went nowhere.

Go Bears Go

by Rocksanddirt on Nov 29, 2008 2:49 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Thank you.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 29, 2008 6:14 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Don't sleep on Baylor!!! (on Versus)

QB Robert Griffin is just as studly as Pryor. They took it to Mizzou earlier this year.

13-7 after 1st Quarter

...Scuzzlin fo a Jack in Da Box

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2008 1:17 PM PST reply reply   0 recs

If Robert Griffin had more of a team around him, Griffin would be putting up comparable stats to like Vince Young.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 29, 2008 1:18 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Does anyone else feel like Tim Tebow’s apology to Gator Nation (back when Florida loss to Ol Miss) was sort of ridiculous?

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 29, 2008 1:28 PM PST reply reply