25 Comments

I agree with the "streetball" comment from Spav. It looked like the passing offensive calls and then the execution had nothing thought through.

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"Get open. Here's my hook toss."

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I went back and watched the first drive (post-Sirmon not-pick-6-INT). Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GoQYSIfFfI&t=2m30s. Look at this 3rd and 10 play.

+ 11 Personnel

+ #14 goes in motion to the field side

+ Auburn NB comes down to cover #14, weakside safety rotates up, so looks like Cover-2 (I think).

+ At snap, watch #14 and #3. They are full on blocking at 9 yards down the field.

+ So Spav is assuming #1 can catch AND turn up field smoothly, AND #3 & #14 will hold their blocks, AND ILB (#30) is too slow or unable to diagnose this play to take away #1's angle.

Isn't that a ridiculous 3rd and 10 call?

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Seems like this might've had a chance if it was a swing pass instead of a screen. (I wonder if it was supposed to be?)

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Or a wheel pass.

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The pass would need to be behind the line of scrimmage since the receivers are blocking down field (otherwise the receivers would just need to be running routes towards the other side of the field, instead of blocking ).. so basically a swing pass is very similar to a screen but you hit the RB in stride behind the LOS.

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good thoughts. definitely not a screen pass (no OL blocking, no QB waiting for pressure, etc.) and seems like a very low probability success rate for 10 yards. Why not 4 post routes! or Release #1 in an A route.

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A couple years ago the backside wheel route to CBJ was consistently one of our most effective plays. We need to get that in the arsenal to get the ball to Ott, in stride, in open space. (Granted teams will be giving him much more attention so they arent as likely to be as wide open as CBJ's were). He's starting from a dead stop or from going backwards too often when going to the perimeter.

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Typo. It's "All Eyez"

Was wondering who all those guys with the official visit lanyards were. Was in a crowd of them near the front of section X and became extremely aware of my lack of gym attendance.

We have 2.23M apologies to send out to everyone who watched this rockfight. Glad Ott is on track to return (and I hope he learned his lesson this time). Hope we get our kicker situation figured out this weekend.

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In contrast to the national broadcast this week's game is on pac - 12 Bay Area which is a hard to find channel with way less footprint than even the main PAC 12 network channel. Best to get the PAC 12 App on your phone and stream through your TV. If you do that you'll get the HD feed. Can't DVR it though probably so watch live and wait for PAC 12 network to show the game during the subsequent week to record it.

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One caveat. You may have to have an Xfinity/Comcast linear account to qualify for the App download and stream capability. You will be able to stream any Pac-12 regional network including PAC 12 Bay area if you have a Comcast account that carries the main PAC 12 channel. Not sure about other cable carriage deals but you might want to check before game time.

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Sep 13, 2023·edited Sep 13, 2023

Thanks. Just checked my FUBO package and, sure enough, it includes PAC12 Los Angeles, but not PAC12 BA. Damn it!

UPDATE: Added PAC12 BA and a whole herd of other sports for just $5 more. I am recording, as well.

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Sep 13, 2023·edited Sep 13, 2023

Good news!

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I had to add that package to FUBO in week one to get ESPNU for North Texas, which was surprising because seemingly already had nearly every other sports channel including (at least some) Pac 12 networks. Did you already have ESPNU available before this, or watched North Texas via other means? I suppose their packages could be slightly different by region (I'm in the north east)

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Sep 13, 2023·edited Sep 13, 2023

Yeah, ESPN U, but had to had the top sports add on to get P12 BA. But instead of $11 it was $5 more, I guess pro-rated for the ones I had in my package already. I started with their middle package.

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I found out last year that having the Pac 12 network is a must. Look for Cal to be on the Network a lot again this year as the Mediocrity Tour year 7 continues under Wilcox. Next up: Cal-ASU on Oct. 30. I liked Sling so much last year that I just kept it as my main streaming network even after the season was over.

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The other kicker Mateen Bhagani is listed as -or- on this week's depth chart.

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Yup. We'll see how their duties get divided up or if something clicks for Luckhurst.

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Maybe rotate each guy on fg attempts. Take away some of the pressure I suppose. Anyway we should beat Idaho, right?

I am pretty sure special teams will be critical on the road against Washington in a hostile environment.

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Agreed. UW feels like a very hard W to get, but the Bears usually play them tough. I expect the Cal O to have some success vs Idaho, but not sure sure if they'll bring that forward against UW or fall back again like they did with Auburn. With these defenses, can't afford to leave points off the board.

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Removed (Banned)Sep 13, 2023
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Simply unbelievable QB play up and down the conference except for..... I am still struck by how poised and confident Spav's offense looked like in 2016 compared to what we saw Saturday night. I can't think of even one play that made me think a new guy was running the show.

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Simple, the stars aligned in 2016 and getting lucky with Kyler Murray but now Spav is regressing to his mean

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We weren't that lucky. We were stuck with Davis Webb instead of Kyler Murray

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I meant Spav had some good luck early in his career both at Cal and at Texas A&M

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Oh got it. That's why you had "and"

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