I'd argue that it's still bad coaching. They knew that it was an uncertain spot, and they should have contingencies for if/when helmet communications go down. We just needed to run something...anything. So signal Mendoza to run whatever to just get the play off, even if it doesn't have a huge chance of success.
eh. thats a little tough to say. I dont think you can unquivocally say the coaches knew it was a bad spot. Its tough to see on the sidelines in a single angle. If youre watching on TV or the screen, then you could have seen the spot and so on, but in the middle of a drive coaches arent looking at that when they only have 40 seconds. So theres no way they wouldve known it would result in a review of the spot. Also knowing when the timeout took place, I doubt anyone knew the comms were malfunctioning until it hit the 20-15 second mark when the comms go out anyway. which is why the timeout occured so late. First 5-8 seconds is usually hand signals to make personnel changes, while the OC is calling in the play to the QB. Sometimes they need to repeat it if they didnt hear. Probably thought some one forgot to turn on the mic so they were waiting, then clock kept running and then realized the comms were down and then the TO occurs. Just an unfortunate series of events but thats not a moment I would say is bad coaching.
Going to disagree. Coaches are paid millions to think about all these things. I like our players, they are expected to know all situations. They failed in that situation. Plain and simple.
I’ll be back from Europe and headed down to Berkeley on my motorcycle for the Miami game and hope so much Memorial is packed for two undefeated teams to play and Cal pulls out a great gutty win!!! Oh please, Larson said, Oh please!
Kapp's Pizza Bar and Grill in Mtn View. Was owned by Joe Kapp, Cal memorabilia on the walls. Haven't been there in years but hopefully it's still the same
Would like to see a lot more of Cal's running game go through the "C gap" Like the 49ers. We have several speed backs to thrive thee. Also, are the blue helmets being kept in reserve?
It's still early but so far it feels like we play up or down to our opponents.
Against opponents with weaker rosters, we start slow and play head to head. And then we make some adjustments, and use the depth of our roster to lean in for the win in the 2nd half (Davis, SDSU).
Whereas we went into Jordan Hare, guns blazing, playing a stellar first half, had a pull back in the 3rd and then stayed stout in the 4th to finish it.
We're almost too comfortable at home rather than being locked in.
I'm hoping we can dial it in and channel that focus against FSU like we did at Auburn given that we'll be away and there'll be a ton of respect for the opponent. The team needs to continue to leverage that underdog energy to come out and punch the other team in the mouth.
As bad as FSU is playing, the teams they've played are decent teams. If they finally wake up, it'll be a tough game for us.
No actual fooseball coaching knowledge here... but Wilcox does have many new offensive skill players to manage, and I give him some leeway for seeing what they can do without taking inordinate risks. And on D -- kind of the same. Teddye has been a revelation. I mean goddamn -- just look for the curly blond flo and you're in for a good time. Hopefully the staff can get these guys fully focused for 60 mins in Tallahassee as I expect FSU will be playing a bunch of younger talent -- guys who just don't give an S and go all out.
Excellent piece, Nick! You enumerate the stats and trends but also capture what it’s like to be a dedicated Cal fan, with humility and humor, as usual. Go Bears!
"[T]he fates that held sway over Pac-12 Cal would have ensured that those penalties would have swung a win into a loss, but new and improved ACC Cal fates just a goofy footnote in an otherwise routine Cal win."
I'm not sure what is going on with FSU, but this will be a tough game for Cal in a very hostile environment. FSU now has enough tape on Cal to scheme a solid game plan. And vice versa.
I haven't seen much improvement in Cal's OL and they continue to be exploited. The previous 3 games against varying degree of talent on the opposition was able to achieve that. BTW ~ the Jet is more decisive than Ott at the LOS and that really paid off in this last game. I mentioned last year that Ott ~ at times ~ can be a little too patient in hitting the hole. The Jet just sees it and goes!
SDSU with fewer penalties in the first half could/should have led by 21 points or so.
Sans several FG's, ST play is much improved. So far the missed FG haven't hurt us. Agreed it should be a straight forward fix for Coe, if his confidence doesn't completely get shattered in the meantime.
It's really absurd how much easier our schedule is this year. If I had to pick three losses I'd guess Miami, @Pitt, and one of NC State and Syracuse. The apparent lack of any ranked teams on the road is a huge boon.
This is how everyone else does it. Get ranked to start the season and then don't lose. The SEC does it the best because if they lose, it's to each other while they're all ranked to start the season at no risk of dropping out, and then their cupcakes come later to reduce the risk of tragic losses in November.
I’ve been investing my heart and so….i mean cheering for Cal long enough to wait for eggs to hatch before I start counting chickens… Hopeful? Yes, but that hope seems to bite me every season
Syracuse with their Ohio State qb transfer are looking better this season that originally predicted-- they could really be a hard game when they come to CMS.
I'll wait til end of the season to make any conclusions, but it seems like it really was true that we had brutal schedule in the Pac12. We aren't playing anybody other than Miami or FSU in ACC.
Is there any truth to the rumors that we're getting our OL back for FSU?
Re: the timeout
I'd argue that it's still bad coaching. They knew that it was an uncertain spot, and they should have contingencies for if/when helmet communications go down. We just needed to run something...anything. So signal Mendoza to run whatever to just get the play off, even if it doesn't have a huge chance of success.
eh. thats a little tough to say. I dont think you can unquivocally say the coaches knew it was a bad spot. Its tough to see on the sidelines in a single angle. If youre watching on TV or the screen, then you could have seen the spot and so on, but in the middle of a drive coaches arent looking at that when they only have 40 seconds. So theres no way they wouldve known it would result in a review of the spot. Also knowing when the timeout took place, I doubt anyone knew the comms were malfunctioning until it hit the 20-15 second mark when the comms go out anyway. which is why the timeout occured so late. First 5-8 seconds is usually hand signals to make personnel changes, while the OC is calling in the play to the QB. Sometimes they need to repeat it if they didnt hear. Probably thought some one forgot to turn on the mic so they were waiting, then clock kept running and then realized the comms were down and then the TO occurs. Just an unfortunate series of events but thats not a moment I would say is bad coaching.
Going to disagree. Coaches are paid millions to think about all these things. I like our players, they are expected to know all situations. They failed in that situation. Plain and simple.
Go Bears!
I’ll be back from Europe and headed down to Berkeley on my motorcycle for the Miami game and hope so much Memorial is packed for two undefeated teams to play and Cal pulls out a great gutty win!!! Oh please, Larson said, Oh please!
Somewhat unrelated but are there any good Cal bars in South Bay near Palo Alto? Might be a long shot
Molly O's in San Carlos. Owned by Cal fans. Was there a couple weeks ago. Great food and drink
Can concur, was there, really chill spot.
Kapp's Pizza Bar and Grill in Mtn View. Was owned by Joe Kapp, Cal memorabilia on the walls. Haven't been there in years but hopefully it's still the same
ANY Stanfurd bar.
Would like to see a lot more of Cal's running game go through the "C gap" Like the 49ers. We have several speed backs to thrive thee. Also, are the blue helmets being kept in reserve?
HELMETS: i was thinking a good luck thing re: Auburn. Since Seminoles will wear their garnet & gold, maybe we'll wear same combo as @ Auburn?
I feel like we might continue to wear gold helmet until we lose.
Justbear: As long as we never bring back those awful white helmets, aka, "surrender whites". I don't think we ever won a game wearing those things.
Oh, we really don't need to imitate the Niners.
Backs have been frequently stuffed inside. Running outside gives more chances to beak one.
Jet and Calloway hit any holes created inside like champs. Yeah, the OL isn't perfect, but quick decisions make any deficiencies less impactful.
Nothing really to add, other than GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Cal fandom has been that of disappointments. But this season feels… different for reasons I can’t quite articulate.
But whether we go 6-6, 12-0 or somewhere in between, I’m glad that we have something to worry about and cheer for.
(love your name here...just gotta say!)
I’m gonna keep reading the “big picture” section of this post over and over…. Thanks Nick!
It's still early but so far it feels like we play up or down to our opponents.
Against opponents with weaker rosters, we start slow and play head to head. And then we make some adjustments, and use the depth of our roster to lean in for the win in the 2nd half (Davis, SDSU).
Whereas we went into Jordan Hare, guns blazing, playing a stellar first half, had a pull back in the 3rd and then stayed stout in the 4th to finish it.
We're almost too comfortable at home rather than being locked in.
I'm hoping we can dial it in and channel that focus against FSU like we did at Auburn given that we'll be away and there'll be a ton of respect for the opponent. The team needs to continue to leverage that underdog energy to come out and punch the other team in the mouth.
As bad as FSU is playing, the teams they've played are decent teams. If they finally wake up, it'll be a tough game for us.
No actual fooseball coaching knowledge here... but Wilcox does have many new offensive skill players to manage, and I give him some leeway for seeing what they can do without taking inordinate risks. And on D -- kind of the same. Teddye has been a revelation. I mean goddamn -- just look for the curly blond flo and you're in for a good time. Hopefully the staff can get these guys fully focused for 60 mins in Tallahassee as I expect FSU will be playing a bunch of younger talent -- guys who just don't give an S and go all out.
Excellent piece, Nick! You enumerate the stats and trends but also capture what it’s like to be a dedicated Cal fan, with humility and humor, as usual. Go Bears!
"[T]he fates that held sway over Pac-12 Cal would have ensured that those penalties would have swung a win into a loss, but new and improved ACC Cal fates just a goofy footnote in an otherwise routine Cal win."
My Inner, Traumatized Bear Fan Voice:
"I have a bad feeling about this."
As our possibilities grow, so, too, my anxiety.
WIn or lose- "Cardiac Cal."
Welcome and all hail the new and improved ACC Cal fates! We must do their bidding! 🙇♂️
Yeah, new conference, same part-time poorly trained refs and Fates
I'm not sure what is going on with FSU, but this will be a tough game for Cal in a very hostile environment. FSU now has enough tape on Cal to scheme a solid game plan. And vice versa.
I haven't seen much improvement in Cal's OL and they continue to be exploited. The previous 3 games against varying degree of talent on the opposition was able to achieve that. BTW ~ the Jet is more decisive than Ott at the LOS and that really paid off in this last game. I mentioned last year that Ott ~ at times ~ can be a little too patient in hitting the hole. The Jet just sees it and goes!
SDSU with fewer penalties in the first half could/should have led by 21 points or so.
Sans several FG's, ST play is much improved. So far the missed FG haven't hurt us. Agreed it should be a straight forward fix for Coe, if his confidence doesn't completely get shattered in the meantime.
I suspect Coe knows he is a very good PK. His prior hx before coming to Cal was extensively stellar.
The less effective your OL is in creating holes the more, it seems, The Jet’s quick-burst running style will outgain Ott’s “patiently wait” approach.
Calloway too. Those two hit the hole hard and are fast.
It's really absurd how much easier our schedule is this year. If I had to pick three losses I'd guess Miami, @Pitt, and one of NC State and Syracuse. The apparent lack of any ranked teams on the road is a huge boon.
Kind of nice, kind of sad. The joy of beating a Washington in the lightening game versus the joy of having an actual, bonafide winning record.
This is how everyone else does it. Get ranked to start the season and then don't lose. The SEC does it the best because if they lose, it's to each other while they're all ranked to start the season at no risk of dropping out, and then their cupcakes come later to reduce the risk of tragic losses in November.
I’ve been investing my heart and so….i mean cheering for Cal long enough to wait for eggs to hatch before I start counting chickens… Hopeful? Yes, but that hope seems to bite me every season
Syracuse with their Ohio State qb transfer are looking better this season that originally predicted-- they could really be a hard game when they come to CMS.
I'll wait til end of the season to make any conclusions, but it seems like it really was true that we had brutal schedule in the Pac12. We aren't playing anybody other than Miami or FSU in ACC.
Prolly include FSU.
Kudos to you Nick!
Doesn’t it feel good to have a realistic shot at a 9 win season?!