Oregon 42 California 3: Grade the Bears
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 3:53 PM PDT
in California Golden Bears Football
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PrintThis thread is for discussion of the Cal-Oregon game only. If you want to discuss other games, please scroll below this post to the post titled "Non-Cal Football Open Thread II" to talk about the remaining games. Thanks!
We love him and all, but this one's on Tedford.
There's no humidity, no East Coast malaise, no depth problems, no severe injuries, no real excuses. Cal got outplayed from snap to whistle, on almost every play.
The offensive linemen couldn't handle any of the blitzes Nick Allotti threw at them, Kevin Riley held onto the ball a little too long and oversailed his receivers. the receivers couldn't make crucial catches early and made critical mistakes, the Ducks stacked the box and dominated Jahvid Best for the second year running, the playcalling was as unimpressive as Utah and Oregon fans had warned us about, the defense couldn't adjust to the outside/screen passing game, Gregory played it safe and dared a guy who couldn't complete half of his passes to complete them, and he did, and the defense didn't adjust, and they turned Duck turnovers into...Golden Bear turnovers.
All of these issue permeate from the top, and the Bears did not adjust and adapt until it was far too late. Cal looked completely unprepared to play this game, and Oregon played a disciplined, smart, strategic plan that took the Bears by surprise and obliterated them from the beginning. It's the Murphy's Law game.
However, let's keep in mind, it's only game one of a long Pac-10 slog. Although we don't control our own fate anymore, a lot can happen if we get back on track next week. Oregon is back to their winning ways, and they're clearly going to be a formidable team the rest of the year. If they have any pride, the Bears will be burning to redeem themselves after this one.
Let's retool and refocus for USC. This season is not over, not by a long shot.
More detailed postgame thoughts later on. In the meantime, fill out your report cards (click here for the link or fill it out after the jump) and discuss the game in the comments! Deadline will be Monday at noon again, I'll try to get the final post up by Tuesday.
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In Tedford we do not trust
I have never seen a worse game since JT arrived at Cal. A thorough embarrassment, makes me wonder about the future of the program.
Easy now
Tedford has brought Cal from the darkness into the light. Despite this one game, they’ll come back around.
But, minor defense aside, this was the worst loss of the Tedford Era. By far. Easily the largest margin of defeat, the worst offense outing, and the worst defensive performance. Front-to-back terrible. If it wasn’t for a couple of Oregon turnovers, this game is a 50+ beatdown.
It’s disturbing because the other big losses under Tedford could be explained by something: inexperience, injury, lack of motivation, whatever. And even those losses showed flashes of competence — we still scored some touchdowns. We had none of that this time. This team is experienced, has been relatively fortunate with injuries, and should have been very motivated to win, yet this was officially Tedford’s Worst Loss Ever. It doesn’t speak well for the future of the program.
It’s not just that it was a loss, it’s that it was a total breakdown in all phases. This is the kind of thing that makes fans turn off on the team.
ROSE BOWLLLLLLLLLL
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
Why even put any other poll option other than the last?
Sick of JT sucking on the road!
Sick of Gregory laying an egg on his defensive plan 2- 3 times per year!
Sick of having shitty QBs!
Did I miss anything?
"Stanford has no fear of losing versus Cal, as they have done so every year but one for the last 20 years. They are, however, very afraid to get injured and indeed fear for their safety." - Furd Rugby Coach on forfeiting 2001 Rugby game vs. Cal
We’re not laughing. We enjoyed the hell out of this win, but we don’t have to look too many weeks back to see ourselves on the wrong end of an embarrassing blowout. Oregon has apparently turned it around, and no sane football fan doubts that Cal will, too. Start by doing everyone a favour and taking down SC next week.
"Heaven and earth alike revolt against a parched and withered duck." (Stephen Maturin)
so what happened
So. Like most fans and most players right about now I am at a lost for words. Did we just lose on all sides of the ball?
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 4:09 PM PDT reply actions
That’s a good way to sum it up.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Our special teams actually performed fairly well. Too bad they weren’t out there very often.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
OMG, I get it!
Special teams does well, rest of the team does bad. So vs. USC, make sure the special teams does horrible so we are winnars!
by CaliforniaCMB on Sep 27, 2009 1:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah definitely a loud intimidating stadium but that doesn’t account for 39 points.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
Whoops, my mistake, fixed.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Fuck this. From now on I’m watching LPGA on Saturdays.
by danzig on Sep 26, 2009 4:11 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
A Moment of Zen
http://www.fieldgulls.com/2009/9/25/1055194/justin-forsett-proves-riemann
The man they call JForce.
That was a great post
John Morgan (the Seahawk SBN writer) still isn’t sold on him as more than a third down back though.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions
ST Looked good
If someone told me that ST would rock on Sat, I wouldn’t have believed them.
Its like some bizarro world where ST was the best thing about this game. Or maybe a flash back to earlier Cal days.
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 4:14 PM PDT reply actions
I hate my life
I root for the Giants and Cal.
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
I haven't seen a Rose Bowl/World Series in my lifetime
I ain’t 50
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
World Series in 2003
You saw it, you just wish you could forget that fastball from felix down and in to Spiezio
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Wait
I thought a meteor hit, and the World Series was cancelled that year?
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
Just checking
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
Giants did not play in the World Series in 2003. Some "fans" you are....
by 33SwisherSweet on Sep 26, 2009 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions
-_-
In too much mourning to get dates right.
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I rooted for C-Webb’s Kings, the Bills and Cal.
I think it’s a tie between you and me.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I also rooted for C-Webb's Kings
I hate the NBA now
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
The suffering
will make the winning be more sweet. Right? Right? Right?
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
No kidding. Jump on the Laker bandwagon???
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions
HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
I root for the Indiana Pacers, Vancouver Canucks, Cal, Oakland A’s, U.S.A. soccer, and Vancouver Grizzlies.
I think I have a right to be included in this tie.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Whatever. At least you had Reggie pushing off on everyone.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions
No, that was before I was really aware. I got people pushing everyone, sure, but they also followed up those pushes with punches.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I root
for, besides the already mentione Cal and Giants, the Sharks (don’t get me started talking), Bobcats (these days), U.S.A. Soccer. I want in too
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
Two of the most ugliest incidents in the history of professional sports in the United Stats have happened this decade to 2 of my favorite teams. Your teams just suck. My teams suck, and then seriously injure others.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
holly shit. I totally rooted for C Webbs Kings! This feels like the final Lackers game. I lived in Sac at the time. Those were very depressing days. By that time I had grown too weak to get mad. That is how I feel now. Fuck it. All of sports are just a game, and we are ultimetaly only spectators. Espn is showing replays now. Oh well.
"Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect."
Vince Lombardi
by CaliSeth on Sep 27, 2009 2:39 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I’m not sure if those Kings ever got blown out this bad. Maybe in 2000, but even that was expected.
Those are REALLY painful losses. Some of the worst I’ve experienced as a sports fan.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 27, 2009 3:13 AM PDT up reply actions
that sucks
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
I root for the Giants, 49ers, and Cal
Thank goodness for the Lakers.
Another 49er here
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
cal, dodgers, A's...
and yes, thank goodness for the lakers.
by atomsareenough on Sep 26, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions
MadBum, i’m right there with you.
This has been a soul-crushing week for both our teams.
Gary Darling, go DIAFF.
by The Enchanter on Sep 26, 2009 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Comcast Sports Net Bay Area is replaying the Big Spike
In case you don’t want to discuss this.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:18 PM PDT reply actions
This glenlivet 18 year isn't doing its job.
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Haven't had hard in 3 months and just moved across the nation.
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow
I hope it goes slow. It should start working in no time.
I gave an F on every category
and I think I gave them too much credit
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
Oh man
I knew these grades would be bad. Even the reasonable commenters are spewing rage.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:25 PM PDT reply actions
I'm unreasonable
I can’t think of anything we did right
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
ST was alright
Minus the anger shanks
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions
what did you expect?
I sent you a chat invite on gmail
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions
I think this game goes far beyond reason.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
I am pretty sure I used as many swear words as regular words.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions
One game...
I just hope the team keeps this in perspective. Everyone has a bad game now and again (and I suspect this is the worst game any top-10 team has had in the history of the sport). The key is to not let it turn into another Cal-lapse. Go Bears, Beat the Trojans!
(and I suspect this is the worst game any top-10 team has had in the history of the sport).
Doubtful.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
USC Stanford anybody?
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
A 39 pt beatdown to an unranked team? Has it happened before?
by Tony Macaroni on Sep 26, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
That implies that Oregon is a bad team. Which they are not.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Not saying that it isn’t up there with the worst, but losing as a 42 point favorite to Stanford or to Appalachian State is pretty bad.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
Oklahoma 65, Texas Tech 21.
You might argue Oklahoma was a great team, but I feel Oregon is pretty good too. And Cal hadn’t done enough to earn their top 10 yet.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey, remember when we were ranked number 6? Everything was going great. I miss those times.
Wait, that was this morning!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
I don't remember this
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
The good news is there’s precedent in the Pac-10 for getting your ass kicked in conference but still climbing into the top 10: Oregon got shellacked at home (45-13) by USC but ended the regular season #5 and just short of the BCS. So as if it hadn’t be said enough, no, the season isn’t over yet.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
The bad news is Oregon got hosed out of a BCS bid too.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Are you really going to mind if we miss out on the BCS this year?
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
In the 3% chance we go 10-2/11-1, YES!
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions
The bad news is that USC was not starting Jeremiah Masoli at QB that year.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions
You raise the non sequitur to an artform.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
You are saying we could be like Oregon that year. But when USC destroyed them, their quarterback was Matt Leinart. When we got destroyed, it was by Jeremiah Masoli, who was averaging less than 10 completions per game heading into today. There is a big difference between getting destroyed by Matt Leinart and getting destroyed by Jeremiah Masoli.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Masoli has his moments, he’s just not a pocket passer. The way Oregon used him today was perfecto.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions
On the bright side
My brother won 1K today on this game. He owes me some King Crab. Hurray!
And for the grades
the only non F I can see is rushing, ST, and…nothing else
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
Same here!
but I can’t write either :(
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
I'm looking forward to the grades in a weird way
I want to see how creative people can be while giving all F’s.
"it's like an alarm clock, WOOT WOOT!" -Bubb Rubb
by secret ASian man on Sep 26, 2009 4:34 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
PASS DEFENSE!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!??!?!?
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Pass Defense
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
Seriously, the ducks are a bunch of cocksuckers.
Act all day, dance all night. Let's get it poppin'... I'm in Bombay, trick!
THIS!!!!!!!!!
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
Thoughts
Terrible coaching. No way you can single out a particular player today, it was just an awful performance without a hint at a silver lining (unlike a lot of our previous losses of this sort)
But some of the things we have learned in the JT era include (1) This does not mean we will never win again (see 2006) (2) It does not mean every player will decommit (3) It does not mean we have peaked, and will never be in the Top 10 again.
It just means that today, we were awful. God awful.
Long season ahead, the conference is wide-open. It would be nice if we went out and beat USC this week.
by Tedfordisgod on Sep 26, 2009 4:38 PM PDT reply actions 4 recs
Yeah, a win next week and we're ok
A loss and we’re in 2007 levels of trouble.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions
A win next week would nice
but right now, me thinks a 4-8 season (WSU is our only hope!)
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
Given how bitter some people are, I don’t know if you are kidding or not.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm kidding
but right now I’m so frusturated. I have 2 essays I have to write, and anger is clouding my writing. That pisses me off more
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
I don’t know if I agree. Next week is USC. If we lose our next 2, then we are absolutely screwed. But if we play USC tough, then I think we are fine.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t know about that. Coming into this season @ Oregon and vs USC were both probable losses if not likely losses. If we drop @ UCLA then we’re in trouble, or UCLA is really good again, which would still mean we’re trouble, or at least you guys would be, I’m a Bruin alum. Whoo fence-sitting powers.
I am a horrible bruin-bear crossbreed.
HALFBREED TRAITOR!
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, I agree. If I think back before the season, the Oregon game was probably the most likely loss, followed by USC. If we win against the Trojans, things still are looking real good. Lose and things aren’t that bad. But fall to UCLA and I have to feel that we will be struggling to get to the Emerald Bowl.
by Tedfordisgod on Sep 26, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions
No, it doesn’t mean that we will never win again. It just means that winning will not mean much this year, for we fans who’ve been with the Cal program since 1956 again. This team had everything going for it and it still couldn’t even look credible on the road. It had talent, speed, depth, and it looked like it finally had commitment. Well, we saw what commitment we got. I’ve never had my hopes higher than this year. Everything I saw in camp and on the field the first 3 games made me “know” that this was the year. This isn’t the year, and I don’t think that year is coming before I croak. I’ll watch Basketball the rest of the season. Someone tell me how this turns out come Dec.
I know we're down.
And i know I probably couldn’t legally drive at this point.
But hope springs eternal. Yeah Cal kicked us in the balls today. This year with a bunch of golfing cleats.
But we’re fans, thick and thin. We gotta believe in the kids for the rest of the year. We owe it to them.
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 4:39 PM PDT reply actions
I don't owe them anything
but I’m in this thing!
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
Positive from the day
I saw Rags at a bar today, while I was in pissed off mode and looking for some Oregon fans to jump
Act all day, dance all night. Let's get it poppin'... I'm in Bombay, trick!
If rollonubears has yet to commit sepuku, you and him should get together for a “I take sporting events way too seriously” conference.
The Tyrant Boy-King Is Returning!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
I felt I was fairly calm today…
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I havent checked the game threads and likely will never. I can only imagine it was like spending a night in a Turkish prison. But worse.
I actually had a fun time at Manny’s Taproom, chilling with friends while, what I vaguely recognized as a college football team, played on the TV>
The Tyrant Boy-King Is Returning!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Just want to say thanks for an entertaining week between the two blogs (CGB and ATQ)
Sorry the game got out of hand…I guess it was fun for one side to watch. All I can say is I still think Cal is a better team, just Oregon had a better game plan. BTW thanks for giving us our TE Dickson back.
Now go beat the hell out the University of Spoiled Cokeheads!!!!!!!
by Matt Daddy on Sep 26, 2009 4:39 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
You’re going to be out of here if you don’t be friendly with non-troll opposing fans.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Or, you know, you could discourage fans from a team that just killed us from immediately coming here afterwards and writing all sorts of patronizing messages. Just saying.
Act all day, dance all night. Let's get it poppin'... I'm in Bombay, trick!
I see only one patronizer on this thread, and he worships at the feet of Arthur Kade.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Dammit, you caught me.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Man, if we hammered a team, the last thing I would do is go to the opposing team’s blog and post “lol guys, sorry we beat you, good luck on your next game!!!”
Or maybe I’m just pissed off like hell.
Act all day, dance all night. Let's get it poppin'... I'm in Bombay, trick!
by Rishi on Sep 26, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You need to take your advice
“DRINK O’CLOCK”
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions
It is cake o’clock for me. Luckily the cake was almost finished before I started.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You’re making a better decision than most.
by Yes We Cannon on Sep 26, 2009 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions
I would too
but ATQ is CGB North, so I forgive them
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
I think with the result of this game CGB might be ATQ South until next year.
by Yes We Cannon on Sep 26, 2009 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions
At least we’ll have a trial for Monday’s DBD.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, even if s/he wasn’t trying to be patronizing, this is not the time for words of condolence and empathy.
I want opposing fans to be treated here the way we want our commenters to be treated on other sites. Maybe his timing was bad, but I doubt he meant to be condescending.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with Avi. How do you want the opposing fans to act? This seems to be the least worst outcome IMHO.
The Tyrant Boy-King Is Returning!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Let me clarify: personally, I think the comment was fine, there was no motive of condescension, and I’m grateful at the lack of trolling. But in the Internet world, going to another team’s board RIGHT after a beatdown to let them know everything’ll be ok will predictably lead to unfriendly responses. That is why I said that that was not the right time.
Lighten Up, Francis
Point Plankn!
by CalBandGreat on Sep 27, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
BTW
on the ESPN board, some guy is trying to say UCLA will win the Pac 10. LOL
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
I can believe it
I believe anything now.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
THE WORLD WILL END IN 2012
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
Could be virtually anyone
I think two losses is probably good enough to win the conference this year.
Go Bears!
by California Pete on Sep 26, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions
And if memory serves
the conference champ will go to some other bowl game, not the Rose.
So who cares, really? It would be galling to win the conference this year and get stuck in the Fiesta Bowl.
Incorrect
With the addition of the fifth BCS game, the conference champ will go to the Rose Bowl
Act all day, dance all night. Let's get it poppin'... I'm in Bombay, trick!
Definitley
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
Thanks for the correction
I forgot about the extra game.
I’m too bitter to make myself a normal meal. I’m going to make some bacon and eat chips and salsa.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
I'm going to starve myself
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
I’m destroying a Costco rotisserie chicken with my hands.
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m going to pass out and wake up and everything will be better.
Act all day, dance all night. Let's get it poppin'... I'm in Bombay, trick!
Maybe I can just wake up? (Please?)
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Pac-10 scoring updates, go here to discuss those games.
Arizona 7 Oregon State 0
Georgia 14 Arizona State 3
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 4:57 PM PDT reply actions
The dynamics of college football, with the added element of Cal
We see this sort of thing all the time. A decent but overrated team goes into a tough road environment, is schooled in every phase of the game, and disintegrates.
We kept waiting for a turning point, a Best run or a long pass, and it never happened – even with the Oregon turnovers.
The concern is that this is Cal, where one crappy game isn’t just one crappy game. It snowballs and the season falls apart. In a way, I take comfort in the fact that USC comes in next week. First, the Trojans are vulnerable. Second, we’re at home. Third, we have now done a perfect job of lowering expectations.
Here’s what we will see, even in the national media: Cal is lousy. Oregon exposed them as the frauds they are. There won’t be any hype about the big showdown with USC, because nobody will think Cal is any good. For all we know, this will encourage the Trojans to play another one of their aimless games.
But I’m assuming a loss. Cal will be 0-2 in the conference and written off. And then they’ll have a bye week.
Instead of a mid-season collapse, the season will be declared a failure early. That leaves Tedford and the players a chance to put things together, without media pressure or fan expectations. And the team will never look worse than it did today.
by bear88 on Sep 26, 2009 4:58 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Failure!
On the publicity note, I’m guessing that Gameday isn’t coming to Berkely anymore
Praying that Tim Alderson doesn't come back to bite us
We don’t know yet. Miami laid an egg too.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions
It’s still a huge game for the pac-10 race, and now they have the storyline of two teams fighting to regain their season. The only other game in competition is Miami-OU, but with Miami losing that losing it’s hype of being a top10 matchup, so now it’s just a top 25 matchup without the conference overtones.
I am a horrible bruin-bear crossbreed.
What about LSU @ Georgia? That’s a top 10 (possibly top 5) at a top 20. I feel its between these 3 games. We probably have a 30% chance.
I’m guessing this is where it ends up.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 27, 2009 1:37 AM PDT up reply actions
There should be an announcement tomorrow either way.
by Yes We Cannon on Sep 26, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions
It’ll probably come tonight, Kirk and Herbie usually let us know where they’re going.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
And the team will never look worse than it did today.
is it possible to look any worse than they did today?
by atomsareenough on Sep 26, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Why do you tempt Murphy’s Law?
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions
all i'm saying is
i gave them straight F’s across the board, and you can’t really go lower than that. they could lose by more than 42-3, i suppose, but this was a pretty terrible game, all-around.
by atomsareenough on Sep 26, 2009 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Losing by 42-3 at HOME would be much worse.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
But whats worse is that theres is nothing good to talk about. No fighting back, no moral victory. Just a morass of pain and failure.
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Moral victories are for losers
The Oregon game was a disaster, but it counts as one loss.
If Cal had played a lot better, we still might have lost 24-20. That would have been better for the rankings and national respect and all that. But it still would have counted as an L.
I am concerned about what the team’s performance in this game implies about the rest of the season. Can we win on the road? Will we collapse under pressure? Is our defense overrated? Shoot, is Best overrated? Am I right to worry that Kevin Riley won’t ever be a winner?
But this game? It’s one big disaster. There won’t be any finger-pointing, but everyone sucked. In college football, on the road, this happens all of the time. Yeah, the final score was especially ugly. But was it really that much worse than the Maryland game just because we scored a few meaningless touchdowns at the end last year?
No. Oregon is a flawed but competitive team that just ended Utah’s long winning streak, also at home.
Yes
Last week’s special teams, with today’s offense and defense. Toss in a couple pick-sixes and you’re golden.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
This is a pretty good post
About what I hope USC feels going into this one.
But Carroll has too much respect for Tedford. It’ll be a close affair unless one team monumentally screws up.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions
USC is never going to overlook the Bears while Tedford and Carroll are both coaching.
I am a horrible bruin-bear crossbreed.
I'm not expecting the Trojans to sleepwalk
USC can’t lose again, and they know it. Playing Cal on the road is no picnic, and they know that too. But USC has problems of their own, and perhaps will lose some of their edge after seeing and reading about Cal’s humiliation.
Shoot, if I’m Pete Carroll, I don’t even show film of the Oregon game.
We kept waiting for a turning point, a Best run or a long pass, and it never happened – even with the Oregon turnovers.
I kept getting this feeling that Tedford/Ludwig was setting up Oregon for something based on his playcalling. But the other shoe never dropped, unless they were setting me up for a gut punch worth 42 points.
We had a couple of long balls that were a few feet from being caught, those could have changed the game slightly, I don’t know if we could have stopped them from putting so many points on the board. With more catches and more scores we would have increased our time of possession and maybe they would have scored less but those long balls – so close.
by CaliforniaCMB on Sep 27, 2009 1:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Think about that though. Football is a game of INCHES. Those balls were horribly thrown (though the receiver, I forget who, should’ve laid out for that ball along the right sideline. J-Ross?) But the balls to Tucker, Lagemann, etc. were all terrible.
Not all of them, some were so close, of course you can blame either the QB or the WR, but that JRoss one landed right in front of him – should’ve dove. I think Tucker had another close one. There were some terrible throws Riley did make – the Lagemann and various MJones throws.
by CaliforniaCMB on Sep 28, 2009 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Nestor's thoughts
http://www.bruinsnation.com/2009/9/26/1056046/bn-bye-week-saturday-open-thread
[Tedford’s] playcalling can be weird sometimes.
For example today .. when they first got the ball after Oregon TO … they went with three straight pass plays … with the best RB (still think Best is probably most prolific RB in the country) in the backfield. Mindboggling.
And the way their defense played … reminded me of how our defense used to show no heart during later days of Toledo.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:18 PM PDT reply actions
I REALLY did not like that first series. An Longshore Riley looked like a deer in the headlights on the first pass call, huge momentum swing.
I am a horrible bruin-bear crossbreed.
I guess Oregon stacked the box from the beginning. Maybe Ludwig was trying to open up the game with the passing, make the Ducks respect it, which would in turn open up bigger lanes for Best.
I’ll have to figure it out.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Why do they always start the game with Vereen? What point are they trying to make?
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions
When Best is out it’s almost assuredly so that he can use his energy elsewhere in the game. I’d guess they had Vereen in to pass block so Best would be fresh for some sort of big run they had planned/scripted for the start of the game.
I am a horrible bruin-bear crossbreed.
I guess the issue is why not leave Best in there so Oregon isn’t guarding tougher against the run and not dropping guys into coverage. Not really a question I have an answer to.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe Ludwig was trying to open up the game with the passing, make the Ducks respect it, which would in turn open up bigger lanes for Best.
Without rewatching the game—and pity the poor souls who feel obligated to rewatch this one—that’s my early assessment, too. But when Cal couldn’t get the passing game going (poor pass protection, inaccurate throws, dropped balls, take your pick), then Oregon grew more and more confident that Best running the ball was the only threat. Rather than loosening up the defense, this STRATEGY FAIL only served to tighten it up. Cal actually had some success running the ball in the first quarter, but Ludwig/Tedford seemed so stubborn trying to establish the pass, that the run game never really had a chance to get going. The Bears simply were not prepared today to win, and one almost wonders if Oregon was stealing Cal’s play signals because nothing the Bears did fooled them—in sharp contrast to what was going on when Oregon had the ball.
The one unit that I thought did OK, and at least fought hard most of the game and DISPLAYED SOME HEART, was the D-line. The pass rush could have been stronger, to be sure, but they stuffed a whole bunch of first- and second-down plays only to be let down my their mates behind them on third down. The secondary did not play well, and the linebackers were freaking horrible. I’m now growing worried that we did indeed have reason to be worried about losing those three seniors from last year’s squad.
Go Bears!
by California Pete on Sep 26, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions
You have to wonder if Aliotti recognized the tendencies of his former partner Ludwig. It isn’t out of the question. Might be a Sarkisian/Holt-Carroll situation.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
You could argue, or at least wonder that.
But familiarity is a two-way street.
Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Six-hundred and ninety-four yards of total offense.
Can someone explain to me why we keep Riley in the game so long?
Maybe I’m not seeing it carefully enough in Football in general, but when your QB is struggling so hard, why do we keep him in? It’s not like he’s a bad QB in general, but today he clearly was shocked. He wasn’t ready for Oregon’s D’s speed. He panicked, and in a lot of throws he just threw it to the wrong guy without even evaluating all his eligible receivers.
In baseball, the pitching coach is going to have a talk with you after you give a couple runs. You screw up again after that and you’re replaced. The Giants have no problem pulling Barry Zito out by the 4th inning. Why can’t we pull Riley out by the 2nd quarter? I feel like a lot of changes JT makes is way too late. Maybe Sweeney isn’t your go to guy, but today I guarantee he would’ve had a little better performance if he started in 2nd Q.
At least in Tennessee we gave Ayoob a chance to throw 2 TDs and rack up 187 yards. He’s more mobile than Longshore and to me it seemed he was a little better given our O-line couldn’t provide pass protection for crap and Longshore got sacked play after play.
Shrug, I guess in football your QB is THE QB. Putting anyone else in = backup. Well why do we put in relieving pitchers one by one when things go bad? I think we need to rethink this.
Riley was not the problem at all. He had no time to throw and in the first half he wasn’t doing badly considering he was dodging defenders. Putting in anyone else in was almost guaranteed to make things far worse. By the end of the third quarter, he looked bad but that was because Oregon knew that we had to throw the ball.
by Tedfordisgod on Sep 26, 2009 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, Riley definitely did miss some critical open throws, but he deserves a lot of credit for yet again not getting any picks (though once again he also had some luck from butter fingered secondaries).
I am a horrible bruin-bear crossbreed.
How many times did Riley get sacked? Too many! And there were some dropped passes – Tucker early – and some bad passes – Riley throwing behind receivers all day.
by CaliforniaCMB on Sep 27, 2009 1:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Football doesn’t work like baseball. Especially COLLEGE football. Game experience counts. You can’t put in a quarterback who’s never snapped before into that type of huge situation. You have to ride with the guy you have.
Ayoob was subbed in for Longshore because he had game experience and the game was over. I do agree that there should’ve been more adjusting, but it should’ve been in playcalling and offensive/defensive assignments and blitz recognition.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, exactly. With the pressure today, Mansion or Sweeney would have been torn apart.
by Tedfordisgod on Sep 26, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions
We fixed the kickoff problem!
What an inspired solution! Just don’t score! Problem solved!
by slaphancock on Sep 26, 2009 5:47 PM PDT reply actions 4 recs
Hahahahahahaha!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions
That opening day win seems like a long time ago.
Rutgers 34, Maryland 13
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:50 PM PDT reply actions
Who would've thought
UCLA-Furd would be the big battle for California next week.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 5:59 PM PDT reply actions
(some) postgame quotes available at the official cal sports website: http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092609aab.html
i'm here to clean your pool but i don't have a pool *bowchica bowow*
Interesting quotes from Tepper about the noise level. Wonder why this wasn’t an issue in 2007.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Because we won, and because Autzen can get pretty quiet if things aren’t going well.
by Tedfordisgod on Sep 26, 2009 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions
shouldn’t they have expected the crowd noise though? it’s not like it was a surprise. was the simulated noise during practice not effective?
i'm here to clean your pool but i don't have a pool *bowchica bowow*
Uhhh Autzen>>>simulated crowd noise.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Holy crap, I got off to such a good start in fantasy football, then my quarterback and one of my running backs went down. Nothing is going right today.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
Holy shit, pick six by ASU
Sun Devils 17, Bulldogs 14
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 6:21 PM PDT reply actions
Man, these are some harsh comments
http://www.dailycal.org/article/106792/bears_silenced_by_ducks_in_pac-10_opener
I will say what some may be thinking as I watch the Bears get their lunch handed to them in Eugene, I think it is time for Cal to look for another coach to take them to the elite level. Tedford took the program from an embarrassment to being competitive, but he has not shown the ability to win important games consistently. If folks are content with 9-4 or 8-5 and a minor bowl every year, then Tedford is the guy. With the money being raised for facilities, I think the bar should be raised for the coach as well.
The coaching staff did not prepare the Bears and need to take much of the blame here … But it is also time to get the players to focus on the gameplan and NOT the self-indulgent messages they write on their eye black patches … Ban that Tedford!
I totally agree with you. Tedford has done some great things for the program. He rescued us and made us good contenders. But now, its time to move on. We should look elsewhere and get another head coach. Cal is a championship caliber team, but Tedford is not the man who will get us there
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 6:34 PM PDT reply actions
Sigh. Entitlement is a dangerous thing.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I should be a mod.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions
that first comment you quoted is pretty right on point and thoroughly rational, whether or not you agree with what he’s advocating.
i'm here to clean your pool but i don't have a pool *bowchica bowow*
I am perfectly happy maintaining 8 or 9 wins for the next decade if we regularly have a chance at the Rose Bowl.
People need to understand that the key to getting to 11+ wins is having lots of years in the 9+ range.
by Tedfordisgod on Sep 26, 2009 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Tedford has reached that plateau in five of his seven years. Ten wins twice. Good stuff.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions
there is nothing alive on the planet that i don’t wish a slow, lingering death upon right now.
dboneisloose
by HolmoePhobe on Sep 26, 2009 7:18 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
also, I hope the entire state of oregon is burned to a crisp. but the good kind of crisp! the kind where you have a chance to inform your loved ones and relatives first. so that I can stab them in the spleen.
dboneisloose
by HolmoePhobe on Sep 26, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
PS: I am taking this loss well.
dboneisloose
by HolmoePhobe on Sep 26, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
At least your roommate didn’t ask about the game!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I will bathe in his bloody remains
dboneisloose
by HolmoePhobe on Sep 26, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rec’d all around.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Sep 26, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions
...I'm guessing the 29 voters pleased with Cal's performance
are the jt crew from ATQ….
Maybe it’s the Joe Ayoob Cal fans who are still mad at you guys for booing him.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Probably right. I voted for “meh”. Sure I’m giddy with how Oregon played, but that was not the Bears I expected to see. I hope the real Bears return for a home win next week.
Last time I checked, there is no "Hall of Average." - Oregon Football Coach Chip Kelly
Maybe you were right about Ludwig?
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by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 26, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I voted "disgusted’. I really wanted to see both teams at the top of their game, with the Ducks coming out on top. And I’ll be in Berkeley next week rooting for the Bears, so I’d love to see them bounce back with a big win over the Trojans.
It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."
I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
are you fucking kidding me!!
Cal ha no one to blame but their self that was so bad of a performence that they put on the feild this saturday. THEY BETTER COME OUT OF THE TUNNEL PUMPED UP NEXT WEEK VS. USC!!!!!
Can i Get a hug?
I think we all need a hug after that swift quick to the balls.
by StudentDoctorBear on Sep 26, 2009 8:09 PM PDT reply actions