Because it's Big Game Week, the usual Tuesday luncheon was moved to Monday. One of the main topics was the Bears' ability to stay focused after the tough loss to Oregon. The combination of the Big Game and playing the #6 team in the nation seem to provide plenty of motivation for the team this week. Here's a quick sample of what Tedford and Chris Guarnero said, respectively.
On whether there is any concern of a negative carryover into the Big Game following the two-point loss to No. 1 Oregon
"You always worry about something like that, but I don't think that's any cause for concern this week because it's Stanford, it's the Big Game and there's a lot of tradition involved, pride and tradition in this game, in retaining The Axe and all that, that the kids look forward to and want to compete for. It takes a day or so to get over [the Oregon loss], no doubt about it, a hard-fought game like that when it doesn't come out your way. But I think our kids can take a lot of positives out of that game and put it to good use this week in preparation to play another great football team."
...CENTER CHRIS GUARNERO
On putting Oregon behind him yet carrying that intensity into the Big Game
"Disappointing - that's what Sunday's for though. If you win or lose, enjoy it; if you don't, just put it behind you, come back Monday and go back to work. I'd be probably more worried [about any letdown in intensity] if we were playing not the No. 6 team or it if wasn't the Big Game, but I feel like our guys will be focused and ready to go and Memorial will be hopping and cool atmosphere."
After the jump the Bears open as touchdown underdogs, Tavecchio addresses the missed field goal, Pendergast is named Rivals' coordinator of the week, Mohamed earns defensive player of the week honors, and Cal might be headed to San Diego this bowl season (with one extreme drawback).
Football
- Furd has opened up as a 7-8 point favorite over the Bears.
- Pendergast was named the Rivals coordinator of the week for what Rivals calls the best defensive performance of the year.
- Both Mark Schalbach and Andrea Adelson predict a Cal-Texas A&M Holiday Bowl, a rematch of that fine 2006 game. Unfortunately, both those scenarios are predicated on a Stanford Rose Bowl. Give me a bowl game in El Paso anytime over a bowl in San Diego if it means Stanford won't go to the Rose Bowl.
- Ted Miller predicts Cal will go to the Holiday Bowl.
- Bruce Feldman praised Cal's defense for shutting down the Oregon offense.
- Mike Mohamed earned Pac-10 defensive player of the week.
- Mohamed also earned praise as Ted Miller's defensive standout this weekend.
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Tavecchio talks to JO about responses from his teammates and fans (and non-fans) after Saturday's missed field goal.
- After Oregon State's loss to the Cougs, Cal has moved up to 5th in Ted Miller's Pac-10 power rankings.
- Wilner gave Cal a B for its near-upset over Oregon. The defense earned an A+++++++++ while the offense earned a D and the special teams received a predictable F.
- Faraudo has started his 20 questions segment again. Each week he'll ask 20 random questions to a member of the Cal basketball team. This week: Gary Franklin Jr.