Bears Bureau: Huskies speed past pesky Bears
It may be a loss on the record but all losses are not the same
The vibes for this game were certainly different compared to Colorado. This game essentially would tell us all we needed to know about how Cal would respond for the rest of the season. And in some respects, we absolutely know who they are now. The Bears haven’t quit, haven’t mailed it in on the fans or Coach Wilcox, but they still aren’t winning. It’s a harsh reality because it eats at the student athletes who put the work in and certainly went down swinging against the Washington Huskies, certainly an improvement from the massacre at Folsom Field. However at the end of the day, it’s still another loss on the record for Cal, another book with the same ending despite different plots and rising actions.
Frankly, that’s just how the team is going to be this season. What Cal does (or doesn’t) do to right this ship remains to be seen but for now we are on this roller coaster and I can’t blame you if you want to hop off and come back when the ride gets an upgrade.
Where to buy: Marshawn Lynch
Early on vs the Huskies, the energy and vibes in California Memorial Stadium were not good. The crowd was lethargic, the offense wasn’t producing, and it felt like a glorified cemetery that would’ve had my former high school student section run them out of the stadium. Can I blame them? Not really. However, Marshawn Lynch brought the vibes up, from a depressing half of football to a refocus to what could’ve been a possible upset, because after all it was only a one score game. Lynch may have swore on live TV, but truthfully that’s the kick the crowd needed to be woken from the dead. And it worked to a degree.
Secondly, he called out the fans and for lack of a better phrase he said they need to show the hell up. I understand that at the current moment, that may not be cost effective nor a priority. But he’s right. Support starts from the ground up. Student athletes who put the work in deserve to have passionate fans show up and show out. Watching Oregon fans takeover CMS next Saturday is not something that you should be happy with and if all you’re going to do is complain about it, ask yourself if you did your part. Marshawn gets it. He will forever get it. Beastmode until the end.
J Michael Sturdivant
I’m running out of compliments for the young Texas receiver, who set his career high in receptions, yards, and touchdowns against Washington. His final mark was set at 8 receptions for 104 yards and 2 touchdowns, an all around successful night despite the end result. He was also the first Cal player since Christopher Brooks to have a multiple touchdown game via the pass (Oregon State 2021) and the first receiver to do the same since Kekoa Crawford against UC Davis in 2019. Take that information how you will. What can’t be disputed is the raw talent, athleticism, and all around desire to win Sturdivant possess. He and Jeremiah Hunter are the leaders of the receiver room, and they have for the most part done their part this season in representing well on the field. If you don’t buy this season, you will regret it later.
Where to sell: The Pass Rush
Bottomline, it is not good on any level. Significant injuries and absences? Sure, no doubt about it. This new standard? Not good enough on any level. Just about every quarterback the Bears have faced this year has had loads of time in the pocket, even to the point where Cam Ward literally stood still in the pocket when Cal was in Pullman. The defense as a whole did fine when looking back at the grand scope of the Washington game, holding them to their lowest offensive output of the season while also holding several times on the plus side of the field. However, Michael Penix Jr like many other QB’s had way too much to throw, to the point where it becomes agonizing. Xavier Carlton, Myles Jernigan among others are certainly putting forth the effort, but the execution is not there. And it won’t be until at least 2023.
Muelu Iosefa
It is very difficult to single out one player for any number of gripes in a given game, but Iosefa has struggled massively ever since his return from off the field issues. For a linebacking core of Jackson Sirmon, Femi Oladejo, Nate Rutchena, Trey Paster among others, throwing Iosefa back into the mix when he’s raw and not up to game speed is not a good look, both in terms of coaching and Iosefa himself. The tackling hasn’t been there, the containment and discipline hasn’t been there, and his opportunity to take control of the inside linebacker room is slipping quickly. He needs to take a step back, reevaluate, and come back stronger because we’ve seen his potential in spurts, but it’s time for more than spurts.
Pac 12 Quick Hits:
Washington’s offense: Buy
Understandably, you may already have a lot of Husky offense stock. However, my analysis in the early portion of the season focused on individuals. Well now that I got to take a look up close, they are a well oiled machine from back to front, coaches to players to depth to concepts to execution. Against the Bears, 6(!) different running backs recorded a rush, 11 different players recorded a reception, and the offensive line only let Penix get sacked twice on the whole night. They may have had their lowest offensive output in terms of points, but they still had 476 yards of offense and scored when it mattered. You could see this the most when Washington scored their 2nd touchdown of the 2nd half, where they had a bunch set right and Cal had 2 DB’s, resulting in a Bears timeout. OC Ryan Grubb draws up a play where Ja’Lynn Polk races down the seam and Jalen McMillan flares out wide on a wheel, forcing Jeremiah Earby to choose who to cover, like against UC Davis when this was also ran. Needless to say, it worked to perfection for Washington, and it is something I look forward to seeing, especially in the Apple Cup.
Oregon State running backs: Buy
After losing Jermar Jefferson, Artavis Pierce, and BJ Baylor in recent seasons, there was reasonable cause for concern in the running back room in Corvallis. Needless to say, new faces have stepped up and then some, not only illustrating the depth the Beavers have at the position but also the balance because each back is not like the last. From Deshawn Fenwick (who was a scratch against Colorado) to Damien Martinez to Jamious Griffin, Oregon State has three guys who they can rotate in at will and just flat out ball. I could list any number of stats that show you what they are all about but truthfully just look it up on youtube, you’ll see all the fun they are having. That group is loads of fun to watch and I for one am not excited to see what they do to us in just over 2 weeks.
Oregon defense: Hold
It’s hard to assess whether the Oregon Ducks defense is still coming together around new coordinators or they simply just aren’t as good as years past (in some cases its understandable since there is no Kayvon Thibodeaux).They aren’t bad, they haven’t necessarily got an overt weakness aside from some suspect tackling at times, it’s just that their top end talent isn’t the same for the time being. Outside of Noah Sewell, DJ Johnson, and Bennett Williams, I just don’t see the it factor for this Ducks defense this season. They will get a great bowl game but when they line up against an offense that may be just as good as theirs, it gives me pause. Expect a solid day for this group in Berkeley but maintain caution as they transition towards championship season.
Joshua Karty: Buy
After week one, I questioned Stanford’s special teams after a subpar performance against Colgate. Despite all that, they’ve been improving in recent weeks, lead by kicker Joshua Karty. Karty has been great all season, and was literally the whole reason why the Cardinal defeated Arizona State last week, going 5/5 on field goals. He made kicks from 36 twice, 44 twice, and a 47 yarder, showcasing his booming leg and great accuracy. He’s currently 12/12 on field goals so far this season and for my money is the best kicker in the Pac 12 this season. I hope to God that the Big Game doesn’t come down to the final possession because if it does and the Lobsterbacks have the ball, I’m going to be petrified if they get in Karty’s range.
That will do it for this week’s action, as we head towards the backend of conference play, there are teams that are coming ready to play and others who are definitely wilting away. The Pac 12 is better than usual this year and I for one am all for it.
Definitely off the ship for now. I see Cal going 3-9 and turning over most of their staff after this season. Put Millner and whoever else needs experience in, no reason not to get some experience for next season. This season is toast.