I love going to Cal bowl games so I wanted to do both of these previews, but to be honest, I don't know how many more of these I've got left in me. I hope you've enjoyed them, and a big thank you to everyone who always liked and commented on the articles. I always enjoy the engagement (especially from salty opposing fans who don't understand that this is a Cal site and not an [insert opponent of the week] site). Go bears forever.
Christopher Helling, your work is excellent! I sincerely hope you will continue with it next season. I learn a great deal about the opposition from your articles before each game. Thank you. As for LA Bowl game, UNLV is 11-2, right? I watched them play Boise State. It will be a tough go for Cal. Probably a crazy game to wrap up a season of crazy games and close losses, and some wins as well. Go Bears!
Minor detail, but UNLV is currently 10-3. They went 10-2 in the regular season (lost to Syracuse in OT, then to Boise St), and then they also lost the MWC championship to Boise St as well. I watch all these games and I still have no idea what to expect.
Opps, yep, UNLV is 10-3. I think the defense will be OK for Cal, but the Cal offense has gone through some pretty big changes, who knows what to expect. It would be so sweet if Cal pulls this one off and surprises everyone, including me.
I am not sure how Cal’s newly installed quarterback on Wednesday, with a sub-good patched together offensive line, can be expected to move the ball against this front for the Rebs. In general, it seems to me the UNLV squad will be highly motivated. It’s a program clearly on the up-trend. Does anyone have any idea why UNLV is not favored by AT LEAST like a TD? I know Cal’s defense can be stout as well, but it just seems wishful thinking to bet on the Bears here, with all the changes on offense.
I feel like the spread in this game represents some summation of the likelihoods that various events (opt outs, unknown QB play, etc) happen more than an accurate prediction of the game (24-23 Cal if you go by the spread and O/U). I am not sure how highly motivated they may be--this 10-2 UNLV team was one game away from the playoffs (MWC championship) and their consolation prize is to face a 6-6 Cal. Their offense and defense both heavily rely on one player (WR Ricky White, LB Jackson Woodard) who may opt out of a meaningless bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft. (For what it's worth, I believe Woodard said he'd play, but couldn't find any announcements about White). Plus, their head coach was already hired away by Purdue, and the WR coach I believe is the interim coach for the bowl game. I think any of those factors may impact motivation for the bowl game.
Great points. It’s true this matchup could be a big letdown for the Rebs. It’s just a weird time for every team not in the playoff, with the portal being open right before bowl games and, simultaneously, many coaches on the move.
Probably will be a rough one but will be interesting to see what we have with EJ. He's got a good arm and can move a little bit.
All signs point towards being overmatched but you never know. Sometimes guy look ho hum in practice and then the lights come on and they are a different player. Other times young guys come in and play loose because they aren't burdened by expectation or past negative experiences.
Do you have inside information that Caminong will play tomorrow? I assumed it would be Harris if need be (as it was reported by Wilcox last week that Chandler R. is day to day).
I always thought a bowl game should be more associated with the current season, but with so many changes this is more about next season if anything like Wilcox always alludes to.
I love going to Cal bowl games so I wanted to do both of these previews, but to be honest, I don't know how many more of these I've got left in me. I hope you've enjoyed them, and a big thank you to everyone who always liked and commented on the articles. I always enjoy the engagement (especially from salty opposing fans who don't understand that this is a Cal site and not an [insert opponent of the week] site). Go bears forever.
Hand it off? These previews are (one of) the best part of W4C in the fall!
Your resignation is denied. Please carry on with normal duty. That is all.
I always look forward to reading them every week!
Thanks for doing such detailed previews. Enjoy the win in SoFi Stadium!
Christopher Helling, your work is excellent! I sincerely hope you will continue with it next season. I learn a great deal about the opposition from your articles before each game. Thank you. As for LA Bowl game, UNLV is 11-2, right? I watched them play Boise State. It will be a tough go for Cal. Probably a crazy game to wrap up a season of crazy games and close losses, and some wins as well. Go Bears!
Minor detail, but UNLV is currently 10-3. They went 10-2 in the regular season (lost to Syracuse in OT, then to Boise St), and then they also lost the MWC championship to Boise St as well. I watch all these games and I still have no idea what to expect.
Opps, yep, UNLV is 10-3. I think the defense will be OK for Cal, but the Cal offense has gone through some pretty big changes, who knows what to expect. It would be so sweet if Cal pulls this one off and surprises everyone, including me.
I am not sure how Cal’s newly installed quarterback on Wednesday, with a sub-good patched together offensive line, can be expected to move the ball against this front for the Rebs. In general, it seems to me the UNLV squad will be highly motivated. It’s a program clearly on the up-trend. Does anyone have any idea why UNLV is not favored by AT LEAST like a TD? I know Cal’s defense can be stout as well, but it just seems wishful thinking to bet on the Bears here, with all the changes on offense.
I feel like the spread in this game represents some summation of the likelihoods that various events (opt outs, unknown QB play, etc) happen more than an accurate prediction of the game (24-23 Cal if you go by the spread and O/U). I am not sure how highly motivated they may be--this 10-2 UNLV team was one game away from the playoffs (MWC championship) and their consolation prize is to face a 6-6 Cal. Their offense and defense both heavily rely on one player (WR Ricky White, LB Jackson Woodard) who may opt out of a meaningless bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft. (For what it's worth, I believe Woodard said he'd play, but couldn't find any announcements about White). Plus, their head coach was already hired away by Purdue, and the WR coach I believe is the interim coach for the bowl game. I think any of those factors may impact motivation for the bowl game.
Great points. It’s true this matchup could be a big letdown for the Rebs. It’s just a weird time for every team not in the playoff, with the portal being open right before bowl games and, simultaneously, many coaches on the move.
Probably will be a rough one but will be interesting to see what we have with EJ. He's got a good arm and can move a little bit.
All signs point towards being overmatched but you never know. Sometimes guy look ho hum in practice and then the lights come on and they are a different player. Other times young guys come in and play loose because they aren't burdened by expectation or past negative experiences.
Do you have inside information that Caminong will play tomorrow? I assumed it would be Harris if need be (as it was reported by Wilcox last week that Chandler R. is day to day).
No inside information but I thought I saw or read somewhere that Harris was also dinged up and not certain to play.
I always thought a bowl game should be more associated with the current season, but with so many changes this is more about next season if anything like Wilcox always alludes to.