Cal @ USC 11.08.08 Pregame Open Thread
by ragnarok on Nov 8, 2008 7:00 AM PST
in California Golden Bears Football
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PrintHere are some CGB posts from this week: Cautious Optimism, B-Ball versus Seattle Pacific, Inside The Numbers, Cal-Oregon highlights, Q+A with Conquest Chronicles, YouTube Thursday, Pac10 Roundtable, Cal B-Ball FanFest, Hating USC, Top25.
Not a lot of great matchups this weekend, but there are a couple of stellar games at the top of the ticket; for those dedicated couch potatoes amongst us, I'm sure there'll be something to keep you entertained for most of the day. Moreover, this will be the first weekend (of just three) all year to feature five Pac-10 conference games. Everyone's in action this weekend, and some teams make a play for the top of the conference, others try and position themselves for bowl eligibility, and the Washington schools provide some much-needed victories for the Arizona schools.
Broadcast TV:
#1 Alabama @ #16 LSU, 12:30PM - CBS
#3 Penn State @ Iowa, 12:30PM - ABC
#21 California @ #7 USC, 5:00PM - ABC
Well, obviously, for all of us the main course comes this evening on ABC, but CBS has got a mighty intriguing game on this afternoon as an appetizer. Alabama takes its brand-new #1 ranking to Baton Rouge to face off against #16 LSU. The Tigers don't have anything particularly impressive on their résumé, and their blowout loss at Florida suggests that they may be overrated at #16, but given the Tide's relatively soft SEC schedule, I'm not completely sold on them, either. If Alabama gets by this game, I predict they will be undefeated heading into the SEC title game, most likely against Florida.
Basic Cable:
Michigan @ Minnesota, 9:00AM - ESPN
#11 Ohio State @ #24 Northwestern, 9:00AM - ESPN2
Baylor @ #4 Texas, 9:00AM - Comcast Sports Net Bay Area
Iowa State @ Colorado, 10:37PM - Versus
Clemson @ #22 Florida State, 12:30PM - ESPN
Stanford @ Oregon, 12:30PM - Comcast Sports Net Bay Area
Kansas State @ Missouri, 4:00PM - Comcast Sports Net Bay Area
Notre Dame @ Boston College, 5:00PM - ESPN
#5 Florida @ Vanderbilt, 5:00PM - ESPN2
#9 Oklahoma State @ #2 Texas Tech, 5:00PM - ABC
What amazes me most about the weekly mediocre Big 10 matchups on ESPN at 9:00AM is that fans in Big 10 country continually put up with 11:00AM (local time) start times. I'm told farmers get up with the sun, but personally, there's no way that I'm fueled and ready to go for a football game before noon. Just no way.
And the actual games on TV? Nationally, nothing really seems to pose much significance. Ohio State @ Northwestern is a meeting of ranked teams, but the Wildcats are one of those "I need some teams to fill out the end of my ballot and they've got a nice record" kind of ranked teams. Buckeyes should roll. Clemson at Florida State is a little bittersweet with the end of the Bowden Bowl; without that sideline intrigue, it's just another matchup of mediocre ACC teams fighting their way towards 7-6 and 8-5 records.
However, an important matchup in the Pac-10, as Oregon tries to bounce back from a tough loss against resurgent Stanford, who sits just one win short of bowl eligibility. If the Cardinal can't win in Autzen, they'll need to either beat USC or Cal to play in a bowl game.
Premium Cable:
Purdue @ #18 Michigan State, 9:00AM - Big Ten Network
San Diego State @ #15 BYU, 11:00AM - The Mtn.
Marshall @ East Carolina, 12:30PM - CSTV
Colorado State @ Air Force, 3:00PM - The Mtn.
Cincinnati @ #25 West Virginia, 4:00PM - ESPNU
If you haven't been paying attention to Colorado State (and my guess is you haven't), they've been quietly having a pretty decent season. The Mountain West has been surprisingly good this year, not only with Utah, BYU, and TCU all threatening to take a BCS bid, but Air Force has put up another 7-2 record as well. Can the Rams somehow bust through into the top half of the conference? I don't know that Cal still has a shot at having the type of season where the record of their non-conference foes could have impact on their postseason destination, but it sure couldn't hurt for bragging rights next year.
Pay-Per-View or No TV:
#20 Georgia Tech @ #19 North Carolina, 9:00AM
#13 Georgia @ Kentucky, 9:30AM
Utah State @ #10 Boise State, 11:00AM
Arizona @ Washington State, 2:00PM
Oregon State @ UCLA, 3:00PM
Arizona State @ Washington, 4:00PM
Arizona should get to 6 wins and bowl eligibility today, while Arizona State should snap its 6-game losing streak. However, the most interesting games in the Pac-10 involve the Oregon schools. OSU tries to maintain its tiebreaker advantage over USC, but they'll have to take down a UCLA squad that has lately been the bane of Mike Riley's existence.
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The concussion right?
I think he’ll see some time.
by CaliforniaCMB on Nov 8, 2008 8:20 AM PST up reply actions
Herbstreit calls us more athletic than his Buckeyes
and still predicts us to be blown out.
...nuh nuh nuh gone
The line is moving against us
The line is up to 22 pts. It started at 17. So I guess most people were (are, it was 21 yesterday) betting on USC to beat us by 3 touchdowns at least because the money is still going on that side. Ouch. Go Bears beat the spread. Who’s got the numbers on how often we cover or beat the spread.
For those who believe the Bears will win this one
Cal Moneyline is floating at +1025 (bet $10, win $102.5)
by BearsNecessity on Nov 8, 2008 9:20 AM PST up reply actions
If the Bears offense takes care of the football
It will be very, very difficult for USC to blow the Bears out. Cal’s defense is too good, and USC’s offense isn’t good enough. Indeed, this is the core of the cautious optimism that many of us share: Sanchez and Co. will press too hard to “make a statement”, playing into the hands of the Bears’ ball-hawking defense. And Cal can afford to be patient, when they bring a defensive weapon like Bryan Anger to the fight. You know, if I was one of those clever guys that did the “keys to victory” graphics for the ABC telecast, at the top of the list I’d put for USC: “Anger Management”.
It’s hard to imagine Cal winning tonight without Anger being named Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week.
Go Bears!
I actually have Big-11 experience on my CFB resume
11 AMs aren’t too tough if you start drinking Friday night and, after 4 h of sleep, start drinking at sunup. I’m not even kidding. It’s not just a few fans either. It’s all of the fans who will be going or watching the game on TV. Wisconsin fans, like many CFB fans, have tremendous optimism every season. When that “L” occurs, there is big time disappointment but it eventually turns to a “we will get ’em next time” attitude.
Crisp autumn Saturdays in the Big-11 where towns like Madison, filled with honest and friendly people who passionately root on their Badgers, become the quintessential American experience.
I do not have any experience in the Big-12 or SEC…I would be curious to hear anyone elses experiences. My buddy and I would like to do a Red River Shootout and maybe an Iron Bowl.
Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.
I say this almost every week, but Terrelle Pryor is ridiculous. Ohio St. will run the table next year in the Big-10.
Scott Ostler wrote a sappy piece on Cal walk on Tyre Ellison
“The guys here (on the team) are cool,” Ellison said. “They embrace the young guys, make you feel like part of the family. Even the scout team, you feel like you’re a Bear. Who ever thought I’d be at Cal?”
Could we have a Manderino in the making?
Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.
Beast Mode
Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.
no...reports are that Longshore to start, Riley's "available"
Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.
off to the game
I’m off to tailgate and then the game to cheer for our Bears. if I don’t come back, please avenge my death. thanks.
by the federer express on Nov 8, 2008 11:27 AM PST reply actions
Take a small stack of one dollar bills with you. If you find yourself in trouble, throw the stack up into the air. Trojans swarm to money like moths to the flame. They’ll turn on each other in a second to horde the cash, especially with so many of their trust funds hurting in these hard economic times. You should be able to escape in the tussle and confusion that ensues.
by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 11:37 AM PST up reply actions 4 recs
Cheers. BTW, how much does it suck to be Minnesota right now. The worst Michigan team in 30 some odd years comes into their house and blows them out. Once again, no Brown Jug for the Gophers.
Picture this.
We win out from here for the Rose Bowl.
BUT so does Michigan State, beating Penn St and others for the Rose Bowl.
Creating, uhoh, CAL v Mich St in the Rose Bowl. hmmm
Rose Bowl committe again passes over CAL for a “more marketable” matchup. OY
I think a USC v. tOSU rematch is more likely , regardless if both teams were champions and did not go to NC then I believe the Rose Bowl would host the re-match. If the BCS makes no sense the Rose Bowl is in a parallel dimension.
How the heck are we supposed to watch the TTech vs. OSU game when our game is on instead?
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Wow, it just dawned on me that the top 3 teams in the nation could conceivably all lose this afternoon/evening.
if they all do, and USC beats us, I think they're almost just about right back into the NC fight
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
win, b/c we control our destiny. if we lose, we have to hope that USC goes to the NC
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
too much has to happen for USC to go to the NC should we lose to them, whereas so little has to happen for us to go to the RB if we beat USC
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
how far the mighty have fallen?
michigan guaranteed a losing season. Tennessee guaranteed a losing season…
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
How funny would it be if Rich Rod beat Ohio State, after all the abuse he’s taken this year.
by BearsNecessity on Nov 8, 2008 1:01 PM PST up reply actions
i should have started pryor today against you, he threw for 3 TD passes today
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
I’m not watching any college football today. That USC game is going to be too exhausting on its own.
*any other college football games
I usually am a fiend, but today I’ll pass.
by BearsNecessity on Nov 8, 2008 1:09 PM PST up reply actions
Watch college football bets erode on my Blackberry
As I take the train to Berkeley to watch the game with college friends.
by BearsNecessity on Nov 8, 2008 1:10 PM PST up reply actions
And cringing everytime someone mentions "upset Saturday"
Being down 14-7 or 7-3 in the first quarter does not entail anything of the sort. (This might give you an idea of who I bet on.)
by BearsNecessity on Nov 8, 2008 1:12 PM PST up reply actions
Prefer to keep the online sportsbooks I use private, simply because the moment it becomes public the book starts to either (a) suck, or (b) close itself to American customers. Email me about it if you want, I’ll follow up.
by BearsNecessity on Nov 8, 2008 1:14 PM PST up reply actions
Technically. But no one enforces it. The next person I hear who’s been caught making online bets would be the first.
by BearsNecessity on Nov 8, 2008 1:27 PM PST up reply actions
but the credit card company you use chooses to allow you to bet using it? they don’t close themselves off to online sportsbooks?
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Yeah, most credit card companies won’t allow you to transfer. Some people use prepaid credit cards to get around that, but they can only deposit in small 100/200 increments.
The most effective way is wiring money to someone out of the country, and they’ll deposit it in your account. Seems shady, but it’s worked everytime. Then when you have enough money you can transfer in between sportsbooks.
by BearsNecessity on Nov 8, 2008 1:35 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t mean to anyone outside the country, but to an actual sportsbook representative of course. You’ll have to talk to customer support of said sportsbook to get said instructions.
by BearsNecessity on Nov 8, 2008 1:37 PM PST up reply actions
Gambling transactions are illegal, but there are always backdoors around that.
by BearsNecessity on Nov 8, 2008 1:28 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, and I might check in on our fantasy playoff and pretend to know what the score is.
I love this instant comments thing, it allows for twitter stream of consciousness.
by BearsNecessity on Nov 8, 2008 1:13 PM PST up reply actions
Hey look Hydro, you're not the only bonehead in our head-to-head
Royster’s sitting on my bench. He’s on pace for 176 and 3 touchdowns against the supposed fierce Iowa.
They announced on CSN that
there’s a vendor selling “University of California, Eugene” shirts near Autzen
...nuh nuh nuh gone
I would buy one of those.
I tried to find a picture online, but I haven’t yet been able to find any.
ಠ_ಠ
OMG THE DUCKS HAVE FUMBLED 9000 TIMES TODAY
Please do not give furd bowl eligibility
...nuh nuh nuh gone
Shades of last week
Oregon fumbled a punt just outside their own endzone but recovered it. They then were half a year short of giving up a safety. Two plays later the snap goes over the QB’s head and out of the endzone. Safety. Stanford now trails 22-27.
ಠ_ಠ
did you see that???
wow, furd almost does an oregon! fumble out of the endzone (almost).
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Arizona gave up 14 points to WSU by halftime
That’s pretty terrible given WSU’s inability to score anything.
ಠ_ಠ
That makes the Cal Furd game a lot more interesting
They sure will be up for it since it will be their last chance for bowl eligability
it would be funny if Stanfurd lost from here on out and didn't become bowl eligible
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
that was a piss poor attempt
at “The Play” there at the end
I'll
send Harbaugh a copy of the film so his team can review it and see how it’s done
Whenever teams attempt the play, the second or third guy always thinks he can take it to the endzone himself. It’s a team effort.
Beavs and Bruins tied at 3 in the second quarter
This is a huge game for determining our bowl game. Mike Riley has never won at UCLA.
ಠ_ಠ
New Thread as we enter the last hour of the wait.
Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.
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Golden Bears Football Schedule
| Fresno St. | Sat 09/03 | W 36 - 21 |
@
Colorado
|
Sat 09/10 | W 36 - 33 |
| Presbyterian | Sat 09/17 | W 63 - 12 |
|
@
Washington
|
Sat 09/24 | L 23 - 31 |
|
@
Oregon
|
Thu 10/06 | L 15 - 43 |
|
USC
|
Thu 10/13 | L 9 - 30 |
|
Utah
|
Sat 10/22 | W 34 - 10 |
|
@
UCLA
|
Sat 10/29 | L 14 - 31 |
|
Washington St.
|
Sat 11/05 | W 30 - 7 |
|
Oregon St.
|
Sat 11/12 | W 23 - 6 |
|
@
Stanford
|
Sat 11/19 | L 28 - 31 |
|
@
Arizona St.
|
Fri 11/25 | W 47 - 38 |
|
@
Texas
|
Wed 12/28 | L 10 - 21 |
Pacific-12 Conference Standings
(updated 1.2.2012 at 11:12 PM PST)
| North | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
Oregon Ducks
|
8 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
|
Stanford Cardinal
|
8 | 1 | 11 | 2 |
|
Washington Huskies
|
5 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
|
California Golden Bears
|
4 | 5 | 7 | 6 |
|
Oregon St. Beavers
|
3 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
|
Washington St. Cougars
|
2 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
| South | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
USC Trojans
|
7 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
|
UCLA Bruins
|
5 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
|
Utah Utes
|
4 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
|
Arizona St. Sun Devils
|
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|
Arizona Wildcats
|
2 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
|
Colorado Buffaloes
|
2 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
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