I'm ignoring all thoughts of what this means for the rest of the season for now because I just loved last Saturday. It's been a long time since I was able to enjoy a nice day out in Berkeley and Memorial. A comfortable win, great tailgate, some fun shenanigans in the stadium (the student getting the punt, pass, kick was awesome to see) and it was the day before the storm hit the bay. I missed days like that.
Now not ignoring those thoughts, I feel like going against my usual pessimism and think that there might be something to take away from this. At the very least, it seemed (at least to my untrained eyes) that we had an ILB core sort of settled of Trey Paster and Iosefa. I feel like they played a majority of the snaps and they were quite a bit better than the ILB corps the rest of the season.
Now that is possibly because CU sucks offensively but also it's a positive thing that Wilcox and Sirmon seems to trust them more instead of trying to find a combo that works.
I could be entirely wrong, but for once I'm going to drown myself in positive thoughts.
Bimage, Goode, Hicks and Paster had good games, while the D-line was able to get pressure Saunders, Long (the JC transfer), Bequette, etc. for literally the first time this season. It was gratifying to see the defense play as well as the Takers from 2018/2019. I hope the trend continues....certainly OSU will be more challenging.
Agreed, overall OSU is the best team left on the schedule. OSU's weakness on defense is the front 4. Their LB's and CB's are solid. Cal should be able to run the ball. So, having Big Brooks running well will be a bonus in this game. In turn, OSU is a great running team, which sets up a very efficient passing game. Cal's D will have its hands full. Limited possession game for both teams so scoring efficiency will be at a premium in this game.
If, and I don't know if it's true, Cal throttled down in the second half on offense than that is a MAJOR coaching error. The offense and the offensive line, in particular, has to experience 4 quarters of smash mouth relentless football. That second half against Buffalo wasn't good and likely planted seeds of doubt/discomfort for that unit. You have to annihilate your opposition when you have the opportunity. My take, the second half for the offense is what it showed it was. Inconsistent. And that frankly is frustrating to observe.
this has been my biggest gripe with the Wilcox era. Building a first half lead, then basically shutting it down in the second half and letting the defense finish it off. It sucks to be able to only watch a half of a football game where the second half takes a cautionary "don't fuck up" mentality
That game did feel like an FCS tuneup. Just what the Bears needed to get some muscle memory for stuffed runs, sacks, and generally good defense. The Bears got that good taste in their mouths and hopefully will be motivated to get those extra yards and points vs. the Beavers and enjoy it again.
This was exactly the question I had after the game, but I am happy to enjoy the outcome for now.
Though I don't think we're as bad as 2–5 would suggest, I feel fairly confident the answer to the question is just "because it was Colorado".
But dammit does Nick have a way of getting my hopes up by teasing that three-game finishing stretch against Californian schools...
I'm ignoring all thoughts of what this means for the rest of the season for now because I just loved last Saturday. It's been a long time since I was able to enjoy a nice day out in Berkeley and Memorial. A comfortable win, great tailgate, some fun shenanigans in the stadium (the student getting the punt, pass, kick was awesome to see) and it was the day before the storm hit the bay. I missed days like that.
Now not ignoring those thoughts, I feel like going against my usual pessimism and think that there might be something to take away from this. At the very least, it seemed (at least to my untrained eyes) that we had an ILB core sort of settled of Trey Paster and Iosefa. I feel like they played a majority of the snaps and they were quite a bit better than the ILB corps the rest of the season.
Now that is possibly because CU sucks offensively but also it's a positive thing that Wilcox and Sirmon seems to trust them more instead of trying to find a combo that works.
I could be entirely wrong, but for once I'm going to drown myself in positive thoughts.
Oh and not to forget about Tevis and Bimage who also seemed to be everywhere.
Cal starting the season slow and ending strong? Is this the right Cal?
Man, nice to have a win! Looking forward to the Beavers game. Better stack the line for those guys. Go Bears.
Bimage, Goode, Hicks and Paster had good games, while the D-line was able to get pressure Saunders, Long (the JC transfer), Bequette, etc. for literally the first time this season. It was gratifying to see the defense play as well as the Takers from 2018/2019. I hope the trend continues....certainly OSU will be more challenging.
Don't forget Tevis!
So if we can score 35-40 points we should be in the game at the very end for Garbers to work some magic...
I could easily rationalize either view and be very satisfied that upon deploying either, "there, I must be right, what a sharp team observer."
Agreed, overall OSU is the best team left on the schedule. OSU's weakness on defense is the front 4. Their LB's and CB's are solid. Cal should be able to run the ball. So, having Big Brooks running well will be a bonus in this game. In turn, OSU is a great running team, which sets up a very efficient passing game. Cal's D will have its hands full. Limited possession game for both teams so scoring efficiency will be at a premium in this game.
If, and I don't know if it's true, Cal throttled down in the second half on offense than that is a MAJOR coaching error. The offense and the offensive line, in particular, has to experience 4 quarters of smash mouth relentless football. That second half against Buffalo wasn't good and likely planted seeds of doubt/discomfort for that unit. You have to annihilate your opposition when you have the opportunity. My take, the second half for the offense is what it showed it was. Inconsistent. And that frankly is frustrating to observe.
this has been my biggest gripe with the Wilcox era. Building a first half lead, then basically shutting it down in the second half and letting the defense finish it off. It sucks to be able to only watch a half of a football game where the second half takes a cautionary "don't fuck up" mentality
Against the Beavers' potent offense that will not be a recipe for success.
Wilcox actually addressed the "did we pack it in on offense in the 2nd half" in his presser today 😂
Nice work, Nick.
That game did feel like an FCS tuneup. Just what the Bears needed to get some muscle memory for stuffed runs, sacks, and generally good defense. The Bears got that good taste in their mouths and hopefully will be motivated to get those extra yards and points vs. the Beavers and enjoy it again.
Gonna be there all the way from North Carolina.
Go Bears!