Golden Nuggets: Mike Silver Explains Why Cal Fans are Still Mad About the 2005 Rose Bowl

One of the most passionate Cal fans you'll ever find, Mike Silver describes just how Cal fans feel about the Rose Bowl snub following the 2004 season. It may be a topic we have beaten into submission on CGB, but Mike does an excellent job of of relaying to outsiders why we are unwilling to forgive Mack Brown after seven years.

As we revisit our enmity and prepare for a Mack Attack, I’d like to make some points for those who missed my tirades seven years ago: 1) I bear no ill will toward anyone associated with the Longhorns’ program, excepting Brown. I have nothing but respect for the great University of Texas and its attendees. Austin’s a terrific town, and Ricky Williams and I go way back. I rooted for Cat Osterman when she pitched. 2) Had this simply been a matter of getting into the BCS, and not a Rose Bowl-specific slight, Cal fans wouldn’t have sweated it much. The Rose Bowl is our Holy Grail, and until we go (ideally as Pac-12 champions) this won’t be made right. 3) In 2004, Cal was the third-ranked team in the country and played in the Holiday Bowl. This year, we’re not even close to ranked, and we’re playing in the Holiday Bowl. Ladies and gentlemen, college football in the 21st century! 4) Yes, I’m well aware that Cal went out and lost to Texas Tech (45-31) in that 2004 Holiday Bowl, while Texas, which had defeated the Red Raiders handily during the regular season, rallied behind Vince Young for a dramatic Rose Bowl victory over Michigan. Some would have you believe that Cal fans have no right to be upset about the Rose Bowl shaft because of this, but they are mistaken. It’s tough to get motivated for a game you know is a booby prize. We know Cal was a great team that year; our quarterback was Aaron (expletive) Rodgers. You see that greatness regularly on Sundays. Any questions? Didn’t think so. Also, USC, which barely held off Cal in a 23-17 regular-season victory, played Oklahoma, which shut out the Longhorns (12-0) in October, in the Orange Bowl, which that year decided the national championship. Final score: Trojans 55, Sooners 19. Any further questions? Didn’t think so. 5) Nothing that happens on Dec. 28 can heal the wounds of seven years ago. But if Cal plays a role in dispossessing Mack Brown of his headset, I won’t whine about it. That would be classless.

After the jump Arik Armstead speaks highly of his visit to Cal, Darius Powe commits to the Bears, and recent scuttlebutt suggests BYU QB Jake Heaps might transfer to Cal.

Football

• Defensive lineman Arik Armstead was pleased with his visit over the weekend. He has established a great relationship with Lupoi and he sees an opportunity for early playing time due to the departures of Ernest Owusu and Trevor Guyton. He spent Sunday with Monty and the basketball team.
• Four-star receiver Darius Powe committed to the Bears over the weekend. He is the third WR commitment for the 2012 class. Faraudo also reports that Stefan McClure underwent knee surgery to repair his torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus. He will be out 7-8 months and Tedford expects to play next season.
• Mychal Kendricks was named as a third-team All American. Faraudo also reports that BYU QB Jake Heaps is leaning towards transferring to Cal.
• Ted Miller picks Chris McCain as the Pac-12's best true freshman linebacker.
• Uncle Ted rates Pac-12 coaches' job security. Tedford is sixth among the eight incumbent coaches, ahead of Jon Embree and Mike Riley.