SuperEQ: You make some interesting points and I've certainly had the same thought about both schools joining the ACC for a fresh start. Cal has managed to beat U$C exactly FOUR times in TWENTY-TWO years!!!! It took us a good twenty plus years to break the losing streak in basketball to FUCLA! I think that we have won ONE football game at…
SuperEQ: You make some interesting points and I've certainly had the same thought about both schools joining the ACC for a fresh start. Cal has managed to beat U$C exactly FOUR times in TWENTY-TWO years!!!! It took us a good twenty plus years to break the losing streak in basketball to FUCLA! I think that we have won ONE football game at Autzen and TWO at the Rose Bowl in this century! Also, let's not forget about our nine game losing streak to the 'Furd that didn't end until 2019. Let's be honest. Even if Cal is able to find the money to keep most of its athletics afloat, we have pretty much been a punching bag in football and basketball for these schools for most of this century (and much of the last one). While having a Big-10 west coast "pod" would make sense from a geographic standpoint, are we doing ourselves any favors by becoming a west coast version of Rutgers, aka, "Big-10 doormat"? I know that the Big-10 makes the most sense for many reasons, but I think that we are guaranteed at least 6-7 losses per year (maybe more) in football should we eventually be asked to join. If that happens, then no more half-measures. Cal will have to go all-in with athletics, which, by the way, doesn't mean that we have to lower academic standards. It's been said many times before but it is nevertheless true: If Michigan, Notre Dame, FUCLA, the 'Furd, etc., can win with high academic standards, then so can we.
Your projected losses are only if Cal remains status quo of our cultural attitude towards football.
At present, I am quite sure most Cal Admins would not even know how to imagine, let alone realize, Cal making a bid for playoffs, much less a national championship. The thing is, a national championship takes a concerted, sustained effort by the whole campus and alumni network. It never just happens by coincidence and never with a support network that is satisfied with middling. If we are not trying to be national champions, what is the point in even trying?
SuperEQ: You make some interesting points and I've certainly had the same thought about both schools joining the ACC for a fresh start. Cal has managed to beat U$C exactly FOUR times in TWENTY-TWO years!!!! It took us a good twenty plus years to break the losing streak in basketball to FUCLA! I think that we have won ONE football game at Autzen and TWO at the Rose Bowl in this century! Also, let's not forget about our nine game losing streak to the 'Furd that didn't end until 2019. Let's be honest. Even if Cal is able to find the money to keep most of its athletics afloat, we have pretty much been a punching bag in football and basketball for these schools for most of this century (and much of the last one). While having a Big-10 west coast "pod" would make sense from a geographic standpoint, are we doing ourselves any favors by becoming a west coast version of Rutgers, aka, "Big-10 doormat"? I know that the Big-10 makes the most sense for many reasons, but I think that we are guaranteed at least 6-7 losses per year (maybe more) in football should we eventually be asked to join. If that happens, then no more half-measures. Cal will have to go all-in with athletics, which, by the way, doesn't mean that we have to lower academic standards. It's been said many times before but it is nevertheless true: If Michigan, Notre Dame, FUCLA, the 'Furd, etc., can win with high academic standards, then so can we.
Awesome points, GoldenBear88.
Your projected losses are only if Cal remains status quo of our cultural attitude towards football.
At present, I am quite sure most Cal Admins would not even know how to imagine, let alone realize, Cal making a bid for playoffs, much less a national championship. The thing is, a national championship takes a concerted, sustained effort by the whole campus and alumni network. It never just happens by coincidence and never with a support network that is satisfied with middling. If we are not trying to be national champions, what is the point in even trying?
So, yes, indeed. we need a reboot.
"This town (university) needs an enema."
- Joker
Agree. 100%. We need a do over.
Let’s leave the Pac12 mediocrity behind and go national into the number one academic conference, and play real football in the southeast