Another Thursday, another round of predictions.
Colorado 24, California 21: This week's upset special! The Bears look better on paper, and they whipped the Buffs 52-7 in Berkeley last year. But think about it: This is EXACTLY the type of game in which Cal throws up on itself.
- Of course, in his "What to Watch" piece, Miller says "the Colorado O-line is where an upset will start. Or end." Forgive me for being skeptical of a Steve Marshall-coached line.
- Jon Wilner picks the Buffs to win.
CAL (minus-5) at COLORADO: Hawaii is much better than Fresno State, and I refuse to believe in the Bears on the road until they give me a reason to do so. Pick: Colorado.
- All three of Yahoo! Sports' experts and 83% of their readers picked Cal to beat Colorado.
- Phil Steele does not provide a score prediction, but expects Zach Maynard and Marvin Jones to have solid performances. He says a 300-yard game (including rushing and passing) for Maynard is within reason.
- WhatIfSports ran a series of simulations and Cal won 62% of the time and won 23-21 on average. Marshall pulls a spectacular rabbit out of his hat and allows only 3 sacks while covering 4.0 yards per rushing attempt.
After the jump Kiesau and Ambrose prepare to return to their old stomping grounds, Tyler Hansen demands improvement from the Colorado O-line, and a man is in the hospital in serious condition following an altercation about porta-potties at Saturday's game. I can't even make this stuff up.
Football
- A man was beaten unconscious outside the Cal-Fresno State game on Saturday. Details are sparse, but it appears a verbal altercation between two 26-year-old males escalated into a physical confrontation. A suspect is in custody and the victim is in serious condition, but his injuries are not life-threatening. The Daily Cal's twitter indicates that this argument was over the use of porta-potties.
- The Bears move up to third in Jon Wilner's Pac-12 ratings.
- Eric Kiesau and Ashley Ambrose offer insight into how the Buffs will be feeling during Saturday's game and how to take advantage of matchups.
- Still in contact with many of the Colorado players and coaches, Kiesau must treat this as a "business trip."
- Jon Embree looks back at last year's loss to Cal. He noted a lack of effort and mentality where the team just wanted the game to come to an end.
- Colorado's QB Tyler Hansen recalls the horrific loss last year. Hansen says the offensive line must be tougher both physically and mentally if the Buffs want to have a chance.
- Da Raiduhs have released Trent Edwards which leaves Cal alum Kyle Boller as the only backup for Jason Campbell.
- If the Bears want to cement themselves back in the nation's top-25, they have to start consistently winning on the road says Monte Poole.
- The big focus was on special teams during Wednesday's practice. Jed Barnett filled in for a recovering Bryan Anger and was impressive in his place. Tavecchio, meanwhile, worked on his launch angle for PATs and field goals.
- Quick updates from Thursday's practice: Kaelin Clay (academics) will not make the trip to Boulder, Will Kapp (concussion) will probably not play, and Sean Cattouse (concussion) will be able to play on Saturday.
- Pendergast talks defense after Thursday's practice. He says Moala will get more playing time as the season goes on. He also said Chris McCain will play more, particularly as a rush linebacker on obvious passing downs.
Soccer
- Several Bears were named to US National Teams, including current Bears and Caitlin Leverenz and Catherine Breed, and alums Natalie Coughlin, Dana Vollmer, and Madison Kennedy.
- Diane Kwon, a former member of the golf team and current Cal student, died on Tuesday morning. No further details have been given. We wish her family the best in what is undoubtedly a very difficult time for them.