18 Comments
User's avatar
WilderThanGene's avatar

I set aside a sports betting budget for the year this year (for the first time in at least a decade).. and just went ALL IN on Cal on the moneyline. The whole budget on Cal week 1.

When we get to mid season and look back, I think this will be one of the best value bets of the year.

Who is with me??!!

Expand full comment
Rick Chen's avatar

I admire the confidence!

Expand full comment
WilderThanGene's avatar

Might as well just cut to the chase! Get it while the getting's good.

Expand full comment
BearlyThere's avatar

Smart move. Win and you’re rolling. Lose and you probably shouldn’t be betting on Cal this season anymore anyway.

Expand full comment
Ak_A_bear's avatar

I was in a few weeks ago for the money line.

Expand full comment
WilderThanGene's avatar

Go Bears! $$$

Expand full comment
mrjpark's avatar

Jonathan Smith is gone, so the recent losses are at least behind us with no reason to believe OSU will play like that again any time soon.

Expand full comment
Rugbear's avatar

CAL by 10.

Expand full comment
WilderThanGene's avatar

I made the same prediction

Expand full comment
Rugbear's avatar

Let's hope that we are both smarter than the people who are making bets! ;-)

Expand full comment
WilderThanGene's avatar

The money should definitely start moving towards cal

Expand full comment
Rugbear's avatar

One would think. I think at the beginning of the season bettors always look at the previous seasons as if a history of past success is an indicator of future success. It can be, but it also can be very misleading. Look at FSU two years ago and then last year as an example.

I'm sure all the naysayers look at the talent we lost and have heard we ae starting a freshman QB. But they haven't taken a deep look into our new coaching staff, our revamped O-Line and O-Line coach, our physical RB room and the fact that JKS is not just an elite passer, but a great kid.

The only way to have an idea of team talent at the beginning of every year is to take a deep dive into the players and coaches. If we still had Bloesch I would say that the betting line would be correct, but Harsin and his assistants are game changers. I expect really smart and varied play calling and solid execution.

Wit respect to Oregon State, we have heard they can't match our talent. I disagree. They have some very good players even if they don't have depth. And OSU plays like Utah. They are tough and physical and pride themselves in pounding their opponents.

It should be a good game and we can't go in over confident. We need to be ready to play very physical. If we do that then we should come out with a W. But make no mistake, OSU will come out ready to play in front of a home town crowd and they will ball out.

Expand full comment
WilderThanGene's avatar

Agreed. It should be a tough game. But I decided to just bet on our upside and JKS, plus your confidence in OL improvement, and the fact that OSU's weakest unit might be their OL. I also got the warm fuzzies about our skill positions from Pawlaski's recent interview with Rolovich. It sounds like we have a genuinely good offensive coaching staff across the board for the first time. Add all that to the fact that Wilcox's teams have been good early and out of conference.

Expand full comment
AndyPanda's avatar

There are sooo many unknowns about both teams, despite some genuinely good things, this game is going to come down to which team is further along with the gelling process.

Expand full comment
Rugbear's avatar

I watched that interview with Rolovich last night. Insightful. If OSU's O-Line is not good, our D-Line, which is the strongest group in our Defense, should do well. Fingers crossed. Btw, don't bet on what I tell you. It never works out like it's supposed to. ;-)

Expand full comment
Bhec's avatar

This years group is enigma! Not able to see spring ball and summer camp scrimmages. We wont know anything until the first quarter.

Expand full comment
Daniel Lahl's avatar

The bettors are obviously not consulting Rob Hwang and Calimo! GoBears!

Expand full comment