Sep 3, 2023·edited Sep 3, 2023Liked by Avinash Kunnath
Great win. Bears have numerous weapons and Finley seems as capable as Jackson. He threaded the needle on the pass to Taj Davis right between two defenders reminiscent of Aaron Rodgers. Also in the former Bear department J Mike caught a 64 yard TD pass to seal UCLA's for the most part uncomfortably close win over Coastal Carolina. I hope we clobber those conference wrecking Bruins.
I confess in having lost interest during that time. Tedford brought me back. So I cannot comment, but it sounds right. We actually have a complementary defense and offense.
Also we are fourth in the nation in rushing offense and spot ahead of Oregon. Ott is fifth in the nation and of course probably could have rushed for another 100 yards in the game. After he gets 200 in the Auburn game it's Ott for Heisman.
I agree. I just have no confidence in the uber casual leadership who would likely enough be shocked by success in football or basketball, let alone be overwhelmed with ignorance about how to promote and support a Heisman candidate.
Updated thread: Before the season, there were either two or three games (IIRC) with a <10% win chance per FPI (at least @ UO and @ Utah). Now Cal's lowest likelihood of success is 21.6% @ UO, followed by 24.5% @ Utah, 26.2% vs USC and 29.3% @ UW. We're favored against everyone else 👀👀
Yeah Trond would've had like 75 receiving yards if not for the penalties. He is clearly a match up nightmare with his size and route running.
Bears have plenty to clean up and a lot of good tape to learn from. The mark of a good team is to come out the second week much improved. Should the Bears manage to do that they should be able to handle Auburn. I watched some of Auburn's game and their defense isn't very good. They have a good QB in Thorne and a second QB comes in primarily to run. So their offense can move the ball.
Bears have to get better on the DL. Perhaps Sirmon called a vanilla game (do they do that on defense like they do on offense?) I for one was happy to see Finley get into the game, it was unfortunate that it was due to an injury to Jackson. IMO, Finley is now the starter. OL looked decent with Driscoll at center. Another move caused by an injury to Cindric but the OL did great w/ Driscoll playing center.
1. No, Montana State, you may not have Ifanse back. He runs like a pissed off Bear (literally). Beastmode 2.0?
2. An upside to the demise of the PAC 12 will be the diaspora of PAC 12 refs. My Freshman year ('76) a popular chant was "My eyes are blind, I cannot see, I am a PAC 8 referee." Although, these refs did not look familiar, they may have been trained in the PAC 8 tradition.
3. Dear Jackson V and Mr. Ott, please run with caution and avoid those dangerous high hurdles when possible.
4. I know our real tests are ahead with Auburn (just dropped 50+ on U Mass) and Idaho (just dropped 42 on Lamar), not to mention a mixture of a smug and pissed off conference mates- all spoiling to make a statement, as are we. We have a tough schedule this year and I will feel better when we are tested out. This game was hurdle one.... that is not a cue to jump over, though, Mr. Ott!
5. Jake is back and with Wilcox defense, I am feeling GOOD! Now, please, Bears, let's not let this be a bubble that bursts like a defective Trojan.
Agreed on the hurdles, they are almost never worth it. The two extra yards is not worth the risk of losing them for the season, which we all know is possible (2009 Oregon State).
Yeah, but Finley did some scrambling and rolling. I do believe he’s better than Plummer. Watched Plummer play for Louisville; many of the same issues, even with a more stable pocket.
I forget where I saw it, but read somewhere that TJ Session graded out as the worst tackle in the country last year, #596. He reportedly put in serious time in the weight room and obviously benefited from Bloesch’s coaching. What a turnaround for him and the whole OL.
Watch a Louisville game this year. Louisville has a decent line. Plummer got pulled for a while in the second half in their Saturday game with Georgia Tech.
What a joy it is to wake up on a Sunday morning in the afterglow of a decisive victory...work to be done for sure (...always), but this sure feels great!
There is still some stuff we need to get straightened out before Auburn. I am so hopeful, though, that we might not spend every second trying to cover for our OL.
Great game except for special teams. That part of the game was really questionable. Kickoff coverage was poor and Luckhurst has to calm down and just perform. He has a great leg but it wasn't there yesterday. Also, covering the deep fade patterns in pass defense was also questionable. I'm a retired high school and college football coach and I guess I think of how my team can improve.
Mostly listening to the game (KGO) and not watching, my sense of the defense is that 1H was more burned on a couple of long passes vs indictment of the defense overall, coupled by a complete shutdown in 2H. The offense confirmed that we have the weapons, but this game was really more a solid validation of the defense - in the heat and enemy territory. Looking forward to the Auburn test.
What is worrying is that our CBs, the supposed strength, were getting burned one-on-one against G5 competition. Does that mean they are susceptible to getting burned against P5 opponents? I'd say its more likely.
A nice performance indeed, particularly in the second half. A good opening game. Now can we play toe to toe with an SEC team, with football pedigree. Our man defense and special teams will need to show improvement, as well as our pass rush. Good for Cal. Don't forget to donate to the NIL challenge, and attend the Auburn game.
And kept it classy. At the end 3rd string QB, 4th string RB, 2nd string kicker, not trying too hard to pump it up over 60 while still making a genuine effort.
I'd share this on the Non-Cal thread, but, since not many seem to go there, I share this as it mirrors my concern when I saw the Oregon score and I think back to some of the Oregon trolls we have endured over the years. Oregon is one whale (Uncle Phil) away being an ordinary, former PAC 12 program, and, yet, they gloat at Autzen. This game with Portland State University may as well have been a Roman-style execution in the Coliseum. Pan et morti.
It's hard to distinguish Oregon's smug pridefulness from that of Tommy Trojan.
Before we get to excited, let’s remember that Cal usually starts off the season beating the cream puffs and then typically nose dives in the conference. So, the auburn game will be the first real test. The Jackson injury is huge, hope he is ok. The offense took a step back with Finley.
Wholeheartedly disagree. The offense didn't skip a beat when Finley entered the game. In fact, his first play he made a nice pass to convert on third down.
We did much better against a G5 opponent we have in the past. As for the nose diving, we finally have the depth in our roster to withstand the injury bugs that have so often caused the nose diving.
Great win. Bears have numerous weapons and Finley seems as capable as Jackson. He threaded the needle on the pass to Taj Davis right between two defenders reminiscent of Aaron Rodgers. Also in the former Bear department J Mike caught a 64 yard TD pass to seal UCLA's for the most part uncomfortably close win over Coastal Carolina. I hope we clobber those conference wrecking Bruins.
Those needle threadings may not work against Auburn and in conference. I am hoping improved play and scheming provides less risky pass situations.
I would be willing to settle for a win over one of the L.A. Traitors, but over both would be off the charts revenge!
True enough on all points.
Gave us a big jump in the computer rankings https://twitter.com/aghenis/status/1698344992354513321?t=r__kGu5130g566CAg7woGg&s=19
And, yet, the PAC 12 Network After Dark squad did not rank us in the top six of the PAC. Although, I get it. UNT can be dismissed as an outlier.
Okay, that makes a win against Auburn that much more important.
P12 kicked everyone's ass this weekend.
Good stuff. Although, Oregon's win was against a FCS school and they rolled up the points. I posted a link to John Canzano's editorial about it.
As has been said, if we had kept our ones in UNT game, we probably could have dropped 80.
90
Any team that scores 50 in a half is impressive.
Is this squad somewhere between the '90 and '91 teams in offensive and defensive talent?
I bring up the '91 squad as that team dropped 86 on UOP in the season opener at home, pulling the starters after the 1st half, having scored 6 TDs.
wasn't that the game that the cannon ran out of ammo?
Yes, it was. I was on the East side in Section TT for that game. For touchdowns 10, 11, and 12 the crowd supplied a "BOOM!!" cheer.
Rally Comm had saved one charge to signal victory at the end of the game.
I confess in having lost interest during that time. Tedford brought me back. So I cannot comment, but it sounds right. We actually have a complementary defense and offense.
I looked up the ESPN computer rankings and we moved up 20 spots to 30. 5th in the PAC 12 ahead of Oregon State and UCLA. Auburn is 21st.
We beat Auburn and we will probably be ranked in the top 20.
Also we are fourth in the nation in rushing offense and spot ahead of Oregon. Ott is fifth in the nation and of course probably could have rushed for another 100 yards in the game. After he gets 200 in the Auburn game it's Ott for Heisman.
Do we have a media savvy leadership to run a Heisman campaign? Ott certainly deserves it.
That's sort of the $25k question.
I'm thinking since football is only a back porch amusement, the short answer is "No."
I agree. I just have no confidence in the uber casual leadership who would likely enough be shocked by success in football or basketball, let alone be overwhelmed with ignorance about how to promote and support a Heisman candidate.
I see what you did there.
While nice, we all know its far too early to be looking at stats like that. wait, 5 or 6 weeks, then start looking at those numbers.
We were 51st preseason and 48th going into Saturday, after the Week 0 and Thursday/Friday games
Updated thread: Before the season, there were either two or three games (IIRC) with a <10% win chance per FPI (at least @ UO and @ Utah). Now Cal's lowest likelihood of success is 21.6% @ UO, followed by 24.5% @ Utah, 26.2% vs USC and 29.3% @ UW. We're favored against everyone else 👀👀
I won't drink that, just yet.
One game at a time.
We have avoided the first trap.
LOL
Yeah Trond would've had like 75 receiving yards if not for the penalties. He is clearly a match up nightmare with his size and route running.
Bears have plenty to clean up and a lot of good tape to learn from. The mark of a good team is to come out the second week much improved. Should the Bears manage to do that they should be able to handle Auburn. I watched some of Auburn's game and their defense isn't very good. They have a good QB in Thorne and a second QB comes in primarily to run. So their offense can move the ball.
Bears have to get better on the DL. Perhaps Sirmon called a vanilla game (do they do that on defense like they do on offense?) I for one was happy to see Finley get into the game, it was unfortunate that it was due to an injury to Jackson. IMO, Finley is now the starter. OL looked decent with Driscoll at center. Another move caused by an injury to Cindric but the OL did great w/ Driscoll playing center.
1. No, Montana State, you may not have Ifanse back. He runs like a pissed off Bear (literally). Beastmode 2.0?
2. An upside to the demise of the PAC 12 will be the diaspora of PAC 12 refs. My Freshman year ('76) a popular chant was "My eyes are blind, I cannot see, I am a PAC 8 referee." Although, these refs did not look familiar, they may have been trained in the PAC 8 tradition.
3. Dear Jackson V and Mr. Ott, please run with caution and avoid those dangerous high hurdles when possible.
4. I know our real tests are ahead with Auburn (just dropped 50+ on U Mass) and Idaho (just dropped 42 on Lamar), not to mention a mixture of a smug and pissed off conference mates- all spoiling to make a statement, as are we. We have a tough schedule this year and I will feel better when we are tested out. This game was hurdle one.... that is not a cue to jump over, though, Mr. Ott!
5. Jake is back and with Wilcox defense, I am feeling GOOD! Now, please, Bears, let's not let this be a bubble that bursts like a defective Trojan.
GO!
BEARS!
Agreed on the hurdles, they are almost never worth it. The two extra yards is not worth the risk of losing them for the season, which we all know is possible (2009 Oregon State).
The vulnerability of a leaping runner increases for every inch of elevation.
These guys need ergonomic coaching.
Finley > Plummer
Helps when you’re not running for your life. Zero sack’s given up.
Yeah, but Finley did some scrambling and rolling. I do believe he’s better than Plummer. Watched Plummer play for Louisville; many of the same issues, even with a more stable pocket.
Last year was some of the worse offensive line play I’ve ever seen. To me it was impossible to evaluate a pocket passer like Plummer.
I forget where I saw it, but read somewhere that TJ Session graded out as the worst tackle in the country last year, #596. He reportedly put in serious time in the weight room and obviously benefited from Bloesch’s coaching. What a turnaround for him and the whole OL.
Watch a Louisville game this year. Louisville has a decent line. Plummer got pulled for a while in the second half in their Saturday game with Georgia Tech.
What a joy it is to wake up on a Sunday morning in the afterglow of a decisive victory...work to be done for sure (...always), but this sure feels great!
Yes.
One never realizes the magnitude of a burden until one drops it to do TD dances in one's living room. 😃
Were you watching me?
LOL. Remote viewing. 😉🐻
FEELS GOOD, Y'ALL!
There is still some stuff we need to get straightened out before Auburn. I am so hopeful, though, that we might not spend every second trying to cover for our OL.
Please change my commenting name too, Toohandy.
Great game except for special teams. That part of the game was really questionable. Kickoff coverage was poor and Luckhurst has to calm down and just perform. He has a great leg but it wasn't there yesterday. Also, covering the deep fade patterns in pass defense was also questionable. I'm a retired high school and college football coach and I guess I think of how my team can improve.
I think you have the right approach here. Still have stuff to improve before we're Auburn-ready but still a lot to like.
No, you can't use Toohandy, that's my porn name. 🥸
Coach, your observations are appreciated.
Mostly listening to the game (KGO) and not watching, my sense of the defense is that 1H was more burned on a couple of long passes vs indictment of the defense overall, coupled by a complete shutdown in 2H. The offense confirmed that we have the weapons, but this game was really more a solid validation of the defense - in the heat and enemy territory. Looking forward to the Auburn test.
What is worrying is that our CBs, the supposed strength, were getting burned one-on-one against G5 competition. Does that mean they are susceptible to getting burned against P5 opponents? I'd say its more likely.
I saw LMH get burned a few times and he was benched. Who was opposite of Earby? Littlejohn? Did Isaiah Young play?
A nice performance indeed, particularly in the second half. A good opening game. Now can we play toe to toe with an SEC team, with football pedigree. Our man defense and special teams will need to show improvement, as well as our pass rush. Good for Cal. Don't forget to donate to the NIL challenge, and attend the Auburn game.
I am most happy that we got a lot of reps for everyone. Hopefully, that will pay of down the road.
And kept it classy. At the end 3rd string QB, 4th string RB, 2nd string kicker, not trying too hard to pump it up over 60 while still making a genuine effort.
Yes, I agree.
I'd share this on the Non-Cal thread, but, since not many seem to go there, I share this as it mirrors my concern when I saw the Oregon score and I think back to some of the Oregon trolls we have endured over the years. Oregon is one whale (Uncle Phil) away being an ordinary, former PAC 12 program, and, yet, they gloat at Autzen. This game with Portland State University may as well have been a Roman-style execution in the Coliseum. Pan et morti.
It's hard to distinguish Oregon's smug pridefulness from that of Tommy Trojan.
https://www.johncanzano.com/p/canzano-finding-logic-in-a-74-point?r=7ob65&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Tremendous day when two proud Pac 12 members 🙄 each get a win on the road in Texas.
Before we get to excited, let’s remember that Cal usually starts off the season beating the cream puffs and then typically nose dives in the conference. So, the auburn game will be the first real test. The Jackson injury is huge, hope he is ok. The offense took a step back with Finley.
We usually beat the “cream puffs” by 6 points in a nail-biter. Even if UNT is no Alabama, the fact that we dominated a game is a welcome change.
Agree, I will take it.
Point taken, though.
"Great kid, don't get cocky."
Wholeheartedly disagree. The offense didn't skip a beat when Finley entered the game. In fact, his first play he made a nice pass to convert on third down.
We did much better against a G5 opponent we have in the past. As for the nose diving, we finally have the depth in our roster to withstand the injury bugs that have so often caused the nose diving.
Uh... hardly always win like this. 58 - I don't think so.
He mostly got bottled up in the backfield on a few plays I saw.
I could have sworn that Jackson V had a TD pass or two in garbage time while at TCU.