Nov 1, 2021Liked by Nick Kranz, Christopher Helling
I think this is my favorite article each week; I learn so much and was so looking forward to it THIS week since it was such a great game. Thanks, as always.
To me Garber's legs are becoming our x-factor. I don't like the designed Garbers run much (see: Herbert, broken collar bone against Cal in 2017 or 18), but love the "drop back, no one to throw to, I better scramble" option. OSU implemented a spy later in the game (at least they noted it on the broadcast later in the game), which is a sign of respect. If a team is going to do that de facto, wondering how we can dial up something to take advantage in the coming weeks. I love this feeling; too bad we don't have a BYE week so I can enjoy it longer! : )
That weird sequence to end the first half seemed to be us telling Oregon State "we're not afraid to go deep so you have to respect that" while actually being a little afraid so we did it at a low-risk point in the game. It was... weird.
Can I just say that it felt really really cathartic to yell "Revenge for Riley" (or something like that) at the OSU fans and empty equipment truck as we walked back?
It's too bad "plenty" of Cal fans didn't enjoy the win in the stadium. The published ticket distribution of 38,572 was WAY more than actually showed up. I was stunned at how small the turnout was; there wasn't "plenty" of anything. It's been an issue in a number of places this year, but I was still really surprised.
That's too bad, because that was an interesting game all the way, and Cal deserves great credit for a well-conceived game plan, both defensively and offensively (the offensive one was obviously a possibility OSU DC Tim Tibesar never considered). It was also a demonstration of the value of having the most experienced QB in the conference.
Chase Garbers repeatedly made good decisions, and found something when live bullets were flying numerous times.
How big of a 4th quarter lead does Cal need in order to get a backup QB some snaps? I think getting a backup even a couple of pass attempts would be valuable. Does the lead have to be > 15 points so that you can survive a pick 6? I don't think so, but I think that's what the coaches believe. Or, would you consider giving the backup a series in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of a close game?
"It wasn’t necessarily a dominating rushing performance, but I was struck by the frequency with which Cal’s backs were able to gain an extra 2-3 yards by falling forward or pushing a pile, with or without an extra shove from an offensive lineman. It was the difference between a first down on multiple occasions and a great sign, as the rest of Cal’s schedule features run defenses that are similarly tractable."
During the game I noticed there were at least 2 instances of where either Brooks or Moore were straight up stonewalled by the OSU defense but kept churning and broke through to get a first down after OSU made an initial stop on a 3rd down.
Great article, thank you. I was also frustrated by the coaching decisions during the last 55 minutes of the second quarter. It seemed they didn't know what it was they were trying to do. But even so, during that time of the game, I never felt like this was a huge omen and we would eventually lose because of it. And that right there is a great feeling as a Bears fan. Cal can do this, Cal can get to a bowl game. Go Bears!
Just read Pac12 Power Rankings on yahoo sports article. Cal is #9 and that is fine, but the author is clueless. They are correct about the big win but a struggling OSU program?
"Cal has been playing good football lately, securing a big time win over a struggling Oregon State program on Saturday. "
Thanks for the write-up, Nick. Any insight on how Arizona went from being so manhandled in Boulder to competitive two weeks in a row? Looking forward the breakdowns later this week.
I think this is my favorite article each week; I learn so much and was so looking forward to it THIS week since it was such a great game. Thanks, as always.
To me Garber's legs are becoming our x-factor. I don't like the designed Garbers run much (see: Herbert, broken collar bone against Cal in 2017 or 18), but love the "drop back, no one to throw to, I better scramble" option. OSU implemented a spy later in the game (at least they noted it on the broadcast later in the game), which is a sign of respect. If a team is going to do that de facto, wondering how we can dial up something to take advantage in the coming weeks. I love this feeling; too bad we don't have a BYE week so I can enjoy it longer! : )
That weird sequence to end the first half seemed to be us telling Oregon State "we're not afraid to go deep so you have to respect that" while actually being a little afraid so we did it at a low-risk point in the game. It was... weird.
Can I just say that it felt really really cathartic to yell "Revenge for Riley" (or something like that) at the OSU fans and empty equipment truck as we walked back?
Excellent article per usual, ty Nick.
Musgrave was always good at pushing between the 20's for us, but terrible inside the red zone. Seems like he's starting to get out of his own way.
It's too bad "plenty" of Cal fans didn't enjoy the win in the stadium. The published ticket distribution of 38,572 was WAY more than actually showed up. I was stunned at how small the turnout was; there wasn't "plenty" of anything. It's been an issue in a number of places this year, but I was still really surprised.
That's too bad, because that was an interesting game all the way, and Cal deserves great credit for a well-conceived game plan, both defensively and offensively (the offensive one was obviously a possibility OSU DC Tim Tibesar never considered). It was also a demonstration of the value of having the most experienced QB in the conference.
Chase Garbers repeatedly made good decisions, and found something when live bullets were flying numerous times.
How big of a 4th quarter lead does Cal need in order to get a backup QB some snaps? I think getting a backup even a couple of pass attempts would be valuable. Does the lead have to be > 15 points so that you can survive a pick 6? I don't think so, but I think that's what the coaches believe. Or, would you consider giving the backup a series in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of a close game?
"It wasn’t necessarily a dominating rushing performance, but I was struck by the frequency with which Cal’s backs were able to gain an extra 2-3 yards by falling forward or pushing a pile, with or without an extra shove from an offensive lineman. It was the difference between a first down on multiple occasions and a great sign, as the rest of Cal’s schedule features run defenses that are similarly tractable."
During the game I noticed there were at least 2 instances of where either Brooks or Moore were straight up stonewalled by the OSU defense but kept churning and broke through to get a first down after OSU made an initial stop on a 3rd down.
Roll on you BEARS!
https://youtu.be/MQS64xd5kJI
Great article, thank you. I was also frustrated by the coaching decisions during the last 55 minutes of the second quarter. It seemed they didn't know what it was they were trying to do. But even so, during that time of the game, I never felt like this was a huge omen and we would eventually lose because of it. And that right there is a great feeling as a Bears fan. Cal can do this, Cal can get to a bowl game. Go Bears!
That photo cracks me up. When was that taken?
Just read Pac12 Power Rankings on yahoo sports article. Cal is #9 and that is fine, but the author is clueless. They are correct about the big win but a struggling OSU program?
"Cal has been playing good football lately, securing a big time win over a struggling Oregon State program on Saturday. "
“why not us?”
because we’re Cal…sigh
but great article!
Thanks for the write-up, Nick. Any insight on how Arizona went from being so manhandled in Boulder to competitive two weeks in a row? Looking forward the breakdowns later this week.