Cal @ USC 11.08.08 Pregame Open Thread

by ragnarok on Nov 8, 2008 7:00 AM PST in Football

Here 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.

0 recs | Comment 129 comments | Add comment

Read Related

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

GO BEARS!!!

by elbarto83 on Nov 8, 2008 7:22 AM PST reply reply 0 recs

You're up early!

Go BEARS!

by CaliforniaCMB on Nov 8, 2008 7:38 AM PST up reply reply 0 recs

We’re all up early. I actually managed to sleep in to 7 today. But that prolly bc I was in the City at a jazz show till like midnight. Triple le sigh.

EXCEPT THE SHOW ROCKED!

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

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 8, 2008 7:40 AM PST up reply reply 0 recs

ah i'm a New Yorker Bear

by elbarto83 on Nov 8, 2008 8:33 AM PST up reply reply 0 recs

Up bofore 1030 on a Saturday? Unbelievable!

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

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 8, 2008 2:05 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

Miller lists Cattouse as questionable

I hope he plays… He’s athletic!

...nuh nuh nuh gone

by Thoroughbred on Nov 8, 2008 7:44 AM PST reply reply 0 recs

The concussion right?

I think he’ll see some time.

by CaliforniaCMB on Nov 8, 2008 8:20 AM PST up reply reply 0 recs

He also called him "Cathouse"

ಠ_ಠ

by Berkelium97 on Nov 8, 2008 11:39 AM PST up reply reply 0 recs

I love how the people of Baton Rouge boo USC 100x more than they boo any SEC rival on College Gameday

...nuh nuh nuh gone

by Thoroughbred on Nov 8, 2008 7:58 AM PST reply reply 0 recs

Herbstreit calls us more athletic than his Buckeyes

and still predicts us to be blown out.

...nuh nuh nuh gone

by Thoroughbred on Nov 8, 2008 8:33 AM PST reply reply 0 recs

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.

by YleeXOtee on Nov 8, 2008 8:55 AM PST reply reply 0 recs

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 reply 0 recs

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!

by California Pete on Nov 8, 2008 9:30 AM PST reply reply 0 recs

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.

by carp on Nov 8, 2008 9:43 AM PST reply reply 0 recs

I say this almost every week, but Terrelle Pryor is ridiculous. Ohio St. will run the table next year in the Big-10.

by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 11:04 AM PST reply reply 0 recs

Yes. Yes he is.

...nuh nuh nuh gone

by Thoroughbred on Nov 8, 2008 11:49 AM PST up reply reply 0 recs

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.

by carp on Nov 8, 2008 11:13 AM PST reply reply 0 recs

Beast Mode

Can he chew with this thing?

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Nov 8, 2008 11:15 AM PST reply reply 0 recs

Do we have any updates on Riley this morning?

by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 11:16 AM PST reply reply 0 recs

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.

by carp on Nov 8, 2008 11:19 AM PST up reply reply 0 recs

Thanks.

by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 11:21 AM PST up reply reply 0 recs

ESPN bottomline shows that Riely is out

by CountDuku on Nov 8, 2008 12:11 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

Okanes said this info is incorrect

http://www.ibabuzz.com/beartalk/2008/11/08/football-quarterback-update/

...nuh nuh nuh gone

by Thoroughbred on Nov 8, 2008 1:48 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

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 reply 0 recs

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 reply 4 recs

Brilliant! Rec'd

ಠ_ಠ

by Berkelium97 on Nov 8, 2008 11:55 AM PST up reply reply 0 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.

by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 12:00 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

It makes me feel more confident about our away game at Minnesota next year. I was surprised when they entered the top-25 this year.

ಠ_ಠ

by Berkelium97 on Nov 8, 2008 12:06 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

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

by YleeXOtee on Nov 8, 2008 12:11 PM PST reply reply 0 recs

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.

by CountDuku on Nov 8, 2008 12:15 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

Isn’t the Rose Bowl required to take the Pac-10 champion unless that team qualifies for the NC game?

by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 12:22 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

Yeah, I think the RB is required to take the Pac-10 winner unless they go to the NC game.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 8, 2008 12:33 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

It’s required to take both.

by CountDuku on Nov 8, 2008 12:58 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

How the heck are we supposed to watch the TTech vs. OSU game when our game is on instead?

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 8, 2008 12:32 PM PST reply reply 0 recs

You have to throw down four or five bucks to pick up the game on ESPN game plan.

by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 12:36 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

Alright, i’m on my couch with two TVs on. i have the bama/lsu game and oregon/furd game on.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 8, 2008 12:40 PM PST reply reply 0 recs

furd just fumbled opening kickoff return, oregon recovers

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 8, 2008 12:42 PM PST reply reply 0 recs

bama fumbles the ball out of opponent's endzone for touchback

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 8, 2008 12:42 PM PST reply reply 0 recs

Unbelievable. That was a smart play by the LSU defender.

by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 12:43 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

Touchdown Iowa.

by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 12:44 PM PST reply reply 0 recs

looks like another wet and rainy day in Eugene

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 8, 2008 12:45 PM PST reply reply 0 recs

Wow, it just dawned on me that the top 3 teams in the nation could conceivably all lose this afternoon/evening.

by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 12:45 PM PST reply reply 0 recs

if they all do, and USC beats us, I think they're almost just about right back into the NC fight

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 8, 2008 12:46 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

Yes. USC would be in the strongest position and Florida would be right back in it as well.

by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 12:47 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

So, do we have a better chance of the Rose Bowl if we lose or win against USC??

by YleeXOtee on Nov 8, 2008 12:50 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

win, b/c we control our destiny. if we lose, we have to hope that USC goes to the NC

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 8, 2008 12:51 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

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

by HydroTech on Nov 8, 2008 12:52 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs

Agreed. And since all the pundits have been taking a shit on the Pac-10 this year, and probably rightly so, there’s no way the conference would get two teams in the BCS.

by The Hombre on Nov 8, 2008 12:55 PM PST up reply reply 0 recs