The WFC gang and I are 2-0 when I attend Big Game’s (2021 and 2022). Coincidence? I think not!
For three quarters on Saturday, I was apoplectic, befuddled, and looking in utter despair as the clock shifted towards the fourth quarter. Then we got what was probably one of biggest momentum changing quarters in Big Game history, with Daniel Scott and Jackson Sirmon forever cementing themselves into the books. This is why we do this. To smash people representing red and white for 60 minutes, to chant “take off that red shirt” at people who dare cross enemy lines, and utter other obscenities that I gladly took part in but will not repeat. The Axe is home right where it belongs.
Buy: Memorial Stadium
This was the Sickos Game of the week.
That didn’t stop around 52,000 fans from watching two 3-7 teams take the field in a rivalry game where there is zero respect between the two fanbases. Memorial was loud. It was rocking in the first quarter and fourth quarter, forcing a few false starts from the Stanford offensive line and becoming absolutely defeaning as Cal stormed back late in the game. This is what Cal football can be. An environment where opposing teams don’t want to step foot in here knowing their perfect seasons/playoff hopes can be blown up. It definitely helped that this was the first Big Game in Berkeley with fans since 2018, but this can be a sign of things to come. The results need to come no doubt about it, but if this crowd can be a tease of what’s to come, be ready because the environment will start to skyrocket.
Geep Chryst
I cannot stress enough how much I liked the play-calling this week from Geep Chryst. Chryst rolled away from under center play action sets and called more max protection packages that involved zone read concepts that got our skill position players the ball in space. It was lovely, it was lively, and while the results may have not been there for three quarters due to mistakes (namely drops from normally sure-handed receivers), the process was way better and way smoother. I mean Cal had 3 drives on the plus side of the field that didn’t result in points (one failed 4th down and Plummer’s 2 redzone interceptions). Now imagine had 10-17 more points had been converted from those drives, people would be raving about the day the offense had. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come, because we have the players to do it, and UCLA will be a good test for Chryst’s audition.
#Scoopnscore
Early in the fourth quarter, several of us were chatting that Cal needed a momentum changing play to send Memorial into a frenzy. Monroe Young scored a touchdown and the crowd was starting to come alive. Then the unthinkable happened. One of the OG’s of the site twistnhook, manifested a scoop and score that sent the fans into a bonanza (Joe Starkey had to have let one out during the Big Game). It felt like a raging concert over in Section R, like the main event had just gotten underway and the crowd would not be satiated until the Bears walked out with the Axe. I mean all it took was a double fumble right? On the 40th anniversary of The Play no less. #Scoopnscore forever.
Pac 12 Quick Hits
USC vs UCLA: Buy
In a game full of unquestionable evil, 93 total points were scored in the Rose Bowl. And no it wasn’t Ohio State vs Utah, but the battle of LA which finally had some significance behind it. So much significance that normal Big Noon kickoff announcers Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt were rerouted for this 5:00 pm showdown between the Trojans and Bruins. Caleb Williams once again illustrated why he’s the best player in the Pac 12, passing for 470 yards and two touchdowns and going for another touchdown on the ground. His biggest attribute which isn’t even in the box score is his elusiveness and toughness, the man just will not get sacked. He can spin out of pressure, break tackles, throw on the run and do it all. The Pac 12 championship between USC and an opponent to be determined this week is going to be absolute insanity (and Cal can decide who gets in the title game for all you sickos)!
Oregon State: Buy
Alright I’ve seen enough, Oregon State needs to give Jonathan Smith a lifetime contract. His hirings of Trent Bray as defensive coordinator and Jim Michalczik as offensive line coach have been nothing short of fantastic. Going to a morning (11:15 AM PST kick!!!) game against lowly Arizona State without the following players: Jack Colletto, Anthony Gould, Jaydon Grant, Alex Austin, and DeShaun Fenwick, the Beavers had all the reasons to fall asleep at the wheel with a Civil War showdown next week against Oregon looming large. However, the Beavers overcame their one weakness in the Jonathan Smith era, road games and defeated the Sun Devils 31-7. And now they have a chance to stake their claim with a 9-3 season with the Ducks coming into Reser next weekend. Can’t ask for much more than that.
My prediction: The Oregon State Beavers will defeat the Oregon Ducks in the Civil War next Saturday.
I don’t even care if I’m wrong. I’m all in on Jonathan Smith.
Washington State’s Defense: Buy
Earlier in the week, Arizona quarterback and Wazzu transfer Jayden De Laura described his matchup against Washington State as “personal”. Whether that’s because he had a tight connection with former coach Nick Rolovich or didn’t appreciate the way Jake Dickert went after Eric Morris and Cam Ward is anyone’s guess. He vowed to make his old team pay. He didn’t cash in. The Cougars defense came to play, suffocating the prolific Wildcats offense and forcing 4 De Laura interceptions and sacking him twice on the day. Derrick Langford Jr took one of those picks to the house, making sure De Laura felt the impact of his mistakes. Washington State went about their business quietly, likely using De Laura’s quotes and emotions as bulletin board material. Now they get a chance to grind Washington’s great season to a halt in the Apple Cup this weekend. So many good games and matchups. Lets do this.
David Shaw’s job security: Buy
Need I say more? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Let’s make sure he sticks around.
The Axe is still home. It doesn’t matter how we got it done, but we got it done. The first home win against Furd since 2008, with Shane Vereen, the 1982 team, Joe Kapp, Evan Weaver, Cam Goode, Josh Drayden, and Mike Mohamed among others in attendance. Shoutout Jeremiah Earby for stepping up in his first ever Big Game, having several pass breakups. Daniel Scott, take a bow, we saw you back in 2019 with the interception and now the forced fumble this year. Can’t write it up any better than that.
Dwight Garner, that one was for you. Go Bears. Forever.
WE HAVE THE AXXXXXXXE
Does anybody have video footage of the crowd? I want to see what it was like…couldn’t be there.