Re: the 1 yard line, OH MY GOD yes just use the damn qb sneak no bs its literally the easiest playcall ever unless you worry about a Mahomes situation from last year in the nfl. You just know vanilla runs from the 1 are going to get blown up unless you are like Wisconsin or Iowa, the playaction from the 1 to the backup or 3rd string TE almost always works along with your choice of a qb sneak, look at the UO-OSU game from the week prior.
Nice Review. I think the "tough love" perspective is smart for this year's team. Garbers' accuracy was really off for a lot of the game forcing that gave up a lot of potential gains because the receivers were unable to catch the ball in stride and had to jump, dive, slide, and adjust to compensate for the frequent inaccuracies. That said, seeing Garbers hit Remigio for a long ball was SO refreshing. We have some solidly talented receivers and we just need to find a way to get them the ball deeper and more accurately!
This is a tough love article and reminds me of what my high school coach yelled at me once during practice: "you've improved 110% but you're still the god damn shits!!"
I hope we dont see delayed kneel-downs ever again. Not only do I think it borders on poor sportsmanship, but its inviting trouble. O-Lineman half speed blocking and then D-Lineman raging.. it's just an injury to a lineman or your qb, or a fight waiting to happen.
He had to burn a few seconds off the clock on each play, or else they would have had to punt or run a play on 4th down. By delaying the kneel, they were able to run time out with no chance of Oregon getting one last play.
I think they did the right thing and was impressed at how clock-aware they were.
They should have run a running play on first down first, to get mathematically in position to kneel down. Like, roll Garbers out and slide before going out of bounds. otherwise its just cheap doing a delayed kneel. The Victory formation tells the defense we are kneeling. Once you violate that agreement, it's fair game on your players who are in an awkward position and can get injured. ( I know other teams do it.. But, other people also dont return shopping carts and leave them in the middle of parking lots and that doesnt make it right!)
Victory formation isn’t signaling anything. It’s a minimal-risk tactic for burning time at the end of the game. Handing off risks a fumble (remember the miracle in the meadowlands?). Running sideways and sliding takes him away from the o line and the safety who could tackle anyone returning a fumble, and is no better than what he did - hold the ball with two hands and wait until the last second before taking a knee.
I respectfully disagree, and I'm probably in the minority. I think you should only kneel when you have more Play Clock x Downs than you have Game Clock. If you don't have enough play clock, man the F up and run a play, and, after that play, you've earned the victory formation. If the other team strips the ball somehow, they earned it. I also think the delayed kneel is in fact a high risk tactic because you are creating a chaotic situation. Not a real risk of losing the game, but of losing your players from the next game from injury or from a suspension from fighting when all hell breaks loose. Does this team want to earn wins and have fun and pride doing it, or just technically compile wins for the sake of winning? (I'm asking you, coach Wilcox!!!)
Same here. Some of those "touches" Garbers was getting after his knee was down thus the ball was dead, would garner a penalty. I need to rewatch those downs.
Re: Offense--Couldn't agree more! Pretty conservative and relied on our defense to bail out the O. We were very fortunate the D stepped up...but this is not the recipe for winning football. Given the conservative nature of the O, made it more perplexing why they didn't attempt the field goal.
I was losing my MIND at the end of the game, as well as at the end of the half. After giving Oregon the opportunity to score 2 touchdowns in 1 1/2 minutes at the end of the first half, with a measly 4 point lead they essentially did 3 kneel downs and then tried to get a 4th and 10? This left Oregon more than 2 minutes to work with. Coaching malpractice.
The CAL team that showed up for the UO game is the team that I thought would show up this season. They finally got enough starters back AND they finally got into a groove with Musgrave's complex offense. With only one week of Spring ball and four weeks of limited fall camp, I did not believe they would be clicking with the new offense in the first few games. If you couple that with starters that were lost to Covid and special teams disasters, it was a recipe for our losses. If we can get back to a regular schedule and have a regular Spring session and Fall camp for 2021, I believe that we will be a solid contender for the PAC12 North, in spite of losing a number of good players. It will be interesting to see if any of our non-pro caliber studs (Curhan, etc.) come back for the additional year of eligibility they have been granted. It will also be interesting to see how Wilcox deals with those that sat out this year (Tevin Paul etc.) if they return next year.
This was the first game where we showed a grasp of the new system. I expect us to finish up the season at 3-3. Hopefully there will be a bowl game in our future (but probably not). Looking forward to 2021 already and maybe making it back inside Memorial as a fan.
Perhaps it's because I was so glad to see a win that I didn't bother doing much dissection of the post-game stats, but I didn't realize the offense was that pedestrian in the game. And it's an interesting contrast, because I actually enjoyed watching the offense this time. Lining up in heavy run sets and then throwing to a TE or FB in the flat, effectively using playaction to open up the passing game, the occasional trick play (flea flicker!)--it looked a lot like the mid-2000s Tedford offenses (albeit a less productive version).
Wazzu gives up 36 points per game (worst in the Pac-12); let's see if we can finally break 30 this weekend.
Should we give the offense credit for ball possession? Especially since the Bears burnt an extra 4 minutes due to inaptitude to get the ball in from the 1-yard line until 4th down.
I think anytime Cal can control the ball, playing keep away from the opponent's offense will turn the game into a low-scoring slugfest, which I think is what Wilcox favors. I'm sure if he had his way our O would be as boring and predictable as Wisconsin's was a few years back. Three yards and a cloud of dust.
Thanks for the post-mortem on what was a very odd game. I am now hopeful that we can sneak out of the Palouse with a win next Saturday night, considering how soundly USC beat WSU.
Excellent write-up from Mr. Kranz. I spent as much time screaming at the TV as I did cheering during the game. The machinations of a career 500 head coach. I am not as optimistic about this offense as others. It is built to score 17 to 24 points a game. A lot of this is because of the conservative play calling. This all works well when the defense holds up its end of the bargain. But when the offense from the other team boat races Cal as did did in last year's USC game and as it did in the UCLA game this year, fuggedaboutit.
Good point and I would add that this offense and team cannot afford to turn the ball over or settle for FGs because then we are in danger of losing to mediocre teams like Oregon State or bad teams like UCLA in 18.
Imagine if the field goal were blocked and returned for a TD, we’d all be skewering Wilcox for putting the game in the hands of our proven-bad special teams.
I think “why did we call such conservative plays if we knew we weren’t going to kick?” would be valid criticism.
I was a little surprised, but I get it, and I don't think it has anything to do with stats. If you convert 4th and 5, the game is all but over. Or maybe Oregon commits a penalty, and just gives you the game. But if you don't convert.....you get to put your best unit, your defense, on the field with great field position.
Re: the 1 yard line, OH MY GOD yes just use the damn qb sneak no bs its literally the easiest playcall ever unless you worry about a Mahomes situation from last year in the nfl. You just know vanilla runs from the 1 are going to get blown up unless you are like Wisconsin or Iowa, the playaction from the 1 to the backup or 3rd string TE almost always works along with your choice of a qb sneak, look at the UO-OSU game from the week prior.
Nice Review. I think the "tough love" perspective is smart for this year's team. Garbers' accuracy was really off for a lot of the game forcing that gave up a lot of potential gains because the receivers were unable to catch the ball in stride and had to jump, dive, slide, and adjust to compensate for the frequent inaccuracies. That said, seeing Garbers hit Remigio for a long ball was SO refreshing. We have some solidly talented receivers and we just need to find a way to get them the ball deeper and more accurately!
This is a tough love article and reminds me of what my high school coach yelled at me once during practice: "you've improved 110% but you're still the god damn shits!!"
I hope we dont see delayed kneel-downs ever again. Not only do I think it borders on poor sportsmanship, but its inviting trouble. O-Lineman half speed blocking and then D-Lineman raging.. it's just an injury to a lineman or your qb, or a fight waiting to happen.
He had to burn a few seconds off the clock on each play, or else they would have had to punt or run a play on 4th down. By delaying the kneel, they were able to run time out with no chance of Oregon getting one last play.
I think they did the right thing and was impressed at how clock-aware they were.
They should have run a running play on first down first, to get mathematically in position to kneel down. Like, roll Garbers out and slide before going out of bounds. otherwise its just cheap doing a delayed kneel. The Victory formation tells the defense we are kneeling. Once you violate that agreement, it's fair game on your players who are in an awkward position and can get injured. ( I know other teams do it.. But, other people also dont return shopping carts and leave them in the middle of parking lots and that doesnt make it right!)
I agree they should have run the ball. Make sure to secure the ball.
Victory formation isn’t signaling anything. It’s a minimal-risk tactic for burning time at the end of the game. Handing off risks a fumble (remember the miracle in the meadowlands?). Running sideways and sliding takes him away from the o line and the safety who could tackle anyone returning a fumble, and is no better than what he did - hold the ball with two hands and wait until the last second before taking a knee.
Also, I totally didn't know about the miracle in the meadowlands for some reason, let alone it was none other than Herm Edwards!
I respectfully disagree, and I'm probably in the minority. I think you should only kneel when you have more Play Clock x Downs than you have Game Clock. If you don't have enough play clock, man the F up and run a play, and, after that play, you've earned the victory formation. If the other team strips the ball somehow, they earned it. I also think the delayed kneel is in fact a high risk tactic because you are creating a chaotic situation. Not a real risk of losing the game, but of losing your players from the next game from injury or from a suspension from fighting when all hell breaks loose. Does this team want to earn wins and have fun and pride doing it, or just technically compile wins for the sake of winning? (I'm asking you, coach Wilcox!!!)
I kept thinking Garbers was going to get injured with the delayed kneel down.
Same here. Some of those "touches" Garbers was getting after his knee was down thus the ball was dead, would garner a penalty. I need to rewatch those downs.
Re: Offense--Couldn't agree more! Pretty conservative and relied on our defense to bail out the O. We were very fortunate the D stepped up...but this is not the recipe for winning football. Given the conservative nature of the O, made it more perplexing why they didn't attempt the field goal.
Plus are defense isn’t Alabama elite. It is a good defense most days but they even have a bad game or two each season.
I think sometimes Wilcox coaches for the team he wants not the team he has, ha.
I think he still thinks he's at Wisconsin or USC or Washington.
I was losing my MIND at the end of the game, as well as at the end of the half. After giving Oregon the opportunity to score 2 touchdowns in 1 1/2 minutes at the end of the first half, with a measly 4 point lead they essentially did 3 kneel downs and then tried to get a 4th and 10? This left Oregon more than 2 minutes to work with. Coaching malpractice.
I was ready to be so mad at Wilcox for the loss. lol
Agreed, same here.
The CAL team that showed up for the UO game is the team that I thought would show up this season. They finally got enough starters back AND they finally got into a groove with Musgrave's complex offense. With only one week of Spring ball and four weeks of limited fall camp, I did not believe they would be clicking with the new offense in the first few games. If you couple that with starters that were lost to Covid and special teams disasters, it was a recipe for our losses. If we can get back to a regular schedule and have a regular Spring session and Fall camp for 2021, I believe that we will be a solid contender for the PAC12 North, in spite of losing a number of good players. It will be interesting to see if any of our non-pro caliber studs (Curhan, etc.) come back for the additional year of eligibility they have been granted. It will also be interesting to see how Wilcox deals with those that sat out this year (Tevin Paul etc.) if they return next year.
With you all the way Rugger...
This was the first game where we showed a grasp of the new system. I expect us to finish up the season at 3-3. Hopefully there will be a bowl game in our future (but probably not). Looking forward to 2021 already and maybe making it back inside Memorial as a fan.
Also, snow is forecast in Pullman for Saturday evening.
I wouldn’t describe the Cal offense as being in a positive groove. Unless by grove you mean multiple three and outs.
We scored 21 points against an Oregon defense that gives up 28 points a game. One of those TDs were due to Oregon penalties than our own execution.
Perhaps it's because I was so glad to see a win that I didn't bother doing much dissection of the post-game stats, but I didn't realize the offense was that pedestrian in the game. And it's an interesting contrast, because I actually enjoyed watching the offense this time. Lining up in heavy run sets and then throwing to a TE or FB in the flat, effectively using playaction to open up the passing game, the occasional trick play (flea flicker!)--it looked a lot like the mid-2000s Tedford offenses (albeit a less productive version).
Wazzu gives up 36 points per game (worst in the Pac-12); let's see if we can finally break 30 this weekend.
I think they sucker us with first half success, and then we just assume that the 2nd half futility is by choice.
Should we give the offense credit for ball possession? Especially since the Bears burnt an extra 4 minutes due to inaptitude to get the ball in from the 1-yard line until 4th down.
I think anytime Cal can control the ball, playing keep away from the opponent's offense will turn the game into a low-scoring slugfest, which I think is what Wilcox favors. I'm sure if he had his way our O would be as boring and predictable as Wisconsin's was a few years back. Three yards and a cloud of dust.
Thanks for the post-mortem on what was a very odd game. I am now hopeful that we can sneak out of the Palouse with a win next Saturday night, considering how soundly USC beat WSU.
Well stated. Your characterization of our past three, and this year was so Old Blue I had to pqtm.
Still savoring those 4th quarter stops.
Next stop, Pullman. Cougs took a first quarter walloping in LA. I hope the Bears can stifle them in similar fashion.
Excellent write-up from Mr. Kranz. I spent as much time screaming at the TV as I did cheering during the game. The machinations of a career 500 head coach. I am not as optimistic about this offense as others. It is built to score 17 to 24 points a game. A lot of this is because of the conservative play calling. This all works well when the defense holds up its end of the bargain. But when the offense from the other team boat races Cal as did did in last year's USC game and as it did in the UCLA game this year, fuggedaboutit.
Good point and I would add that this offense and team cannot afford to turn the ball over or settle for FGs because then we are in danger of losing to mediocre teams like Oregon State or bad teams like UCLA in 18.
Imagine if the field goal were blocked and returned for a TD, we’d all be skewering Wilcox for putting the game in the hands of our proven-bad special teams.
I think “why did we call such conservative plays if we knew we weren’t going to kick?” would be valid criticism.
I was a little surprised, but I get it, and I don't think it has anything to do with stats. If you convert 4th and 5, the game is all but over. Or maybe Oregon commits a penalty, and just gives you the game. But if you don't convert.....you get to put your best unit, your defense, on the field with great field position.