So, I'm not sure stats for the entire season mean that much at this time nor do I care about records to date. This game will come down to where each team's collective mindset is right now, a little coaching and some luck. I've watched every Cal game this season and 3 of your games-Arizona, UCLA and UW. You looked your best against UCLA but to be honest, they looked lazy and stoned when they played IMO. You probably looked good in your wins too but I didn't see them. We looked our worst against Oregon State and Oregon and our best against Northwestern and Arizona. In the rest of our games we just looked bad.
Last week and as I predicted, we each were taken to the woodshed. After our game sat., Utah will crush you and Stanford may set some records against us-We might get the worst beat down of the century at furd regardless of whether we win or lose this Saturday. Here are some general thoughts and observations:
Part I
Tini and his stupid altitude crutch
17-23 year old athletes don't notice or care. They are in shape. Fat or just out of shape ex-athletes, nerds and stoners (*cough* alumni) who have the income and taste to buy top shelf liquor and then walk up from Pearl Street do notice it though. The third worst hangover I ever had was after my last Boulder trip. The first one was at Cuzco Peru, the second was at some effed up high altitude place in Bolivia. You're somewhat correct Tini but for the wrong reasons. Besides, bears love Boulder despite the fact that you kill them for simple transgressions like trying searching for food on campus to feed their families during a drought. Maybe if they wore tie die shirts and said hey bro, "sign up for Greenpeace man"... they would be more welcome but enough about your kind, back to football.
Injuries
I don't even care anymore. We have had more than I thought possible. We beat your injuries of 2 years ago-which I didn't think was even possible. I can't even name some of our starters. Last week, our Freshman LB (who was 3rd string) was declared out for the season. Everyone else is a patchwork mix of true Frosh, RS frosh from other positions and a sprinkling of Sophomores and Juniors who really never played except for this season. Sound familiar? I empathized with you guys then. Empathize back now bitches. Here's the latest news (subject to more practice injuries):
Cal has 13 players who have started or were projected starters prior to the season that are either out for the season or have missed multiple games due to injury – Chris Adcock, Nathan Broussard, Matt Cochran, Darren Ervin, Nick Forbes, Mustafa Jalil, Daniel Lasco, Alex Logan, Hardy Nickerson, Stefan McClure, Brennan Scarlett, Avery Sebastian, Bill Tyndall. Five others – Michael Barton, Khairi Fortt, Jalen Jefferson, Khalfani Muhammad and Richard Rodgers – have missed one game each due to injury. Three players – Gabe King, Chris McCain and David Wilkerson – are no longer in the program.
and for more sh*ts and giggles:
Cal has a current offensive and defensive depth chart that features a combined total of 17 freshmen (10) and sophomores (7) listed as starters. Only two seniors are in that role.
Stats that don't matter but that seem cool for us:
Did I say we suck? Yes we do. Still, I think we pull this out. Why? Why not? Someone put stats up for both teams over the past 3 games...maybe we can see some separation. From what I can tell, Powell has arrived again. P-Rich will get his 3-4 TDs-we can't stop him and Sefo looks like a solid pull for a Frosh. I like your boy Gilliam (sp. Gillian?) too. That guy seems to have a good football IQ and plays hard. Here's what we got:
Cal ranks eighth in the nation and third in the Pac-12 in passing offense (345.3 ypg), with the Golden Bears ahead of the school-record pace 321.5 yards per game posted by the 1997 team. The Bears, averaging 345.3 yards per game, will go up against a Colorado defense that ranks 11th in the conference allowing 273.4 passing yards per game.
The Cal rushing attack has improved the past two games and will face a Colorado rush defense ranks last in the conference (211.9 ypg). The Bears averaged a season-high 5.1 yards per carry last week against USC, setting a season high in total rushing yards with 190 yards on the ground.
After averaging a season-high 5.0 yards per rush on the ground against Arizona, Cal came up with a season-high 190 rushing yards last Saturday against USC. Khalfani Muhammad, Cal’s leading rusher on the year with 322 yards, three touchdowns and an average of 5.5 yards per carry, posted 61 yards on 10 carries and scored his third rushing touchdown of the season against the Trojans. Jeffrey Coprich added a career-high 55 yards on the ground to give Cal two or more players over 50 yards rushing in a game for the third time this season.
Muhammad was a multi-year State champion in track and you haven't even seen Lasco or Bigelow mentioned here. Look up "Daniel Lasco Texas" and "Brendan Bigelow Cali"- these guys will finally be back in the mix come Saturday :nod:
Mental State
A lot has been said here and on our own board by curmudgeons and haters. We are demoralized for sure but we haven't quit nor will we....sorry but remove that feather from your cap if you were claiming or expecting that. There is a team meeting tonight and another tomorrow. A poorly worded story in he SF and San Jose newspapers about discord and beatings? It's football!!! The reporter who tweeted most of the initial reports has since apologized and has been fired by his publication. We got issues for sure...but nothing like those which have been painted here. I'll follow with part 2 (including how to effectively beat us at home) but only after a few drams of the good stuff.
Looking forward to visiting CU again and another Sackygate! Until then, your Resident Bear says...We've got spirit, yes we do, we've got spirit how 'bout you?
