[yvonne]

A few weeks ago, that would have been a crazy question, what with cal having a quarterback who was just as likely to throw interceptions as touchdowns, but in the last two games, Cal has turned it around, beating OSU and WSU by wide margins. In both cases, Cal's defense held the opposing team to fewer points than ours did, but its offense was about two touchdowns less potent.

Cal is trending up, and we are trending down.

[yvonne]

A few weeks ago, that would have been a crazy question, what with cal having a quarterback who was just as likely to throw interceptions as touchdowns, but in the last two games, Cal has turned it around, beating OSU and WSU by wide margins. In both cases, Cal's defense held the opposing team to fewer points than ours did, but its offense was about two touchdowns less potent.

Cal is trending up, and we are trending down.

[JohnR34231]

We can certainly beat the Bares.

Can we turn the ball over five times and do it?

That's the $64 question, but hopefully we won't have to answer it.

[JohnR34231]

We can certainly beat the Bares.

Can we turn the ball over five times and do it?

That's the $64 question, but hopefully we won't have to answer it.

[81alum]

It is a concern.  A lot will depend on how well our team can get over the psychological and physical effects of yesterday's loss.  UC East Bay lost to Oregon 43-15 but seemed to put up a better fight in the first half before dissolving in the second--and it was in Eugene.  You can say with some reason that they played Oregon better than we did.

We did score 30 points against Oregon and would think we would do at least as well or better against UC East Bay.  And ball-control and long time of possession advantages would mean something against the UC East Bay defense.

UC East Bay's Sofele rushed for 190 with an 8.3 average against Oregon State.  I think our run defense is a lot better than Oregon State's and has a lot more to play for.  I doubt that he would have that kind of day against us.

But it IS the big game, which means all predictions are dangerous.

[81alum]

It is a concern.  A lot will depend on how well our team can get over the psychological and physical effects of yesterday's loss.  UC East Bay lost to Oregon 43-15 but seemed to put up a better fight in the first half before dissolving in the second--and it was in Eugene.  You can say with some reason that they played Oregon better than we did.

We did score 30 points against Oregon and would think we would do at least as well or better against UC East Bay.  And ball-control and long time of possession advantages would mean something against the UC East Bay defense.

UC East Bay's Sofele rushed for 190 with an 8.3 average against Oregon State.  I think our run defense is a lot better than Oregon State's and has a lot more to play for.  I doubt that he would have that kind of day against us.

But it IS the big game, which means all predictions are dangerous.

[Cardinal96]

The question is frankly silly.  Of course we can beat Berkeley.  Our defense is very well suited for stopping their type of offense.  And our offense will put up a lot of points.  Can we lose if we play an awful game?  Yes.

Remember, USC and UCLA both beat Cal handily (in addition to Oregon).  The original poster is being too negative from one game. 

It is also worth noting that this season is playing exactly like last year's.  Lose by 20+ to Oregon, beat USC in the last seconds.  Get challenged by ASU (we don't play them this year).  And beat everyone else handily.

In summary, Cal has none of the mismatches that Oregon had for us.

[Cardinal96]

The question is frankly silly.  Of course we can beat Berkeley.  Our defense is very well suited for stopping their type of offense.  And our offense will put up a lot of points.  Can we lose if we play an awful game?  Yes.

Remember, USC and UCLA both beat Cal handily (in addition to Oregon).  The original poster is being too negative from one game. 

It is also worth noting that this season is playing exactly like last year's.  Lose by 20+ to Oregon, beat USC in the last seconds.  Get challenged by ASU (we don't play them this year).  And beat everyone else handily.

In summary, Cal has none of the mismatches that Oregon had for us.

[JohnR34231]

This year's loss to Oregon felt different than last years.

Last year you felt we were more on an even plane with the Ducks and just had a bad second half.

This year there was little doubt who the better team was, pretty much from the opening kickoff.

[JohnR34231]

This year's loss to Oregon felt different than last years.

Last year you felt we were more on an even plane with the Ducks and just had a bad second half.

This year there was little doubt who the better team was, pretty much from the opening kickoff.

[71Bear]

To quote a former Stanford student...


"you can't be serious"


Stanford will win by 28 points.  I suggest something like 45-17.

[71Bear]

To quote a former Stanford student...


"you can't be serious"


Stanford will win by 28 points.  I suggest something like 45-17.

[JohnR34231]

Hope you're right, but....

Wasn't that kind of what people were predicting in 2009 after our big victories over U$C and the Ducks?

[JohnR34231]

Hope you're right, but....

Wasn't that kind of what people were predicting in 2009 after our big victories over U$C and the Ducks?

[71Bear]

C.al is not as good this year.  Besides, you guys would have won had Harbaugh made the right call at the end of the game (run Gerhart).  That loss was Harbaugh's one big mistake while he was at Stanford (not that I had a problem with his screw-up).

By the way, the Fiesta has first choice among the bowls for an at-large team.  You can expect to play OK or OK State in Glendale, AZ.  Why wouldn't they want to have the Voldemort winner in their game?

[71Bear]

C.al is not as good this year.  Besides, you guys would have won had Harbaugh made the right call at the end of the game (run Gerhart).  That loss was Harbaugh's one big mistake while he was at Stanford (not that I had a problem with his screw-up).

By the way, the Fiesta has first choice among the bowls for an at-large team.  You can expect to play OK or OK State in Glendale, AZ.  Why wouldn't they want to have the Voldemort winner in their game?

[OutsiderFan]

California does not have the speed of Oregon or USC on offense.  They don't have the offensive potency needed to beat Stanford.

[OutsiderFan]

California does not have the speed of Oregon or USC on offense.  They don't have the offensive potency needed to beat Stanford.

[washingtonismoney]

Ertz is back too.

Besides, beating OSU and WSU is, uh, not exactly impressive. Good job, but insert a profane quote from Winston Wolf right about here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NlrgjgOHrw

[washingtonismoney]

Ertz is back too.

Besides, beating OSU and WSU is, uh, not exactly impressive. Good job, but insert a profane quote from Winston Wolf right about here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NlrgjgOHrw

[JohnR34231]

They go in semi-desperation to a redshirt freshman QB and the kid throws for 500 yards to lead them to an upset victory over Arizona State.

Goes to show you never know in college football.

[JohnR34231]

They go in semi-desperation to a redshirt freshman QB and the kid throws for 500 yards to lead them to an upset victory over Arizona State.

Goes to show you never know in college football.

[Cardinal96]

Back to the OP.  Look at Stanford and Cal's games against Washington, USC and UCLA.  3-0 for Stanford and 0-3 for Cal.

[Cardinal96]

Back to the OP.  Look at Stanford and Cal's games against Washington, USC and UCLA.  3-0 for Stanford and 0-3 for Cal.

[yvonne]

Look up the word "trend." You never want to go into Big Game trending down. Momentum means a lot in that series. The UCLA game was recent, but the other two were in the first half of the season.

--"the OP"

[yvonne]

Look up the word "trend." You never want to go into Big Game trending down. Momentum means a lot in that series. The UCLA game was recent, but the other two were in the first half of the season.

--"the OP"

[washingtonismoney]

Look up the word "trend." You never want to go into Big Game trending down. Momentum means a lot in that series. The UCLA game was recent, but the other two were in the first half of the season.

--"the OP"

Like the momentum in 2009?

[washingtonismoney]

Look up the word "trend." You never want to go into Big Game trending down. Momentum means a lot in that series. The UCLA game was recent, but the other two were in the first half of the season.

--"the OP"

Like the momentum in 2009?

[Cardinal96]

Stanford is a 20 point favorite over Cal for those worried.

[Cardinal96]

Stanford is a 20 point favorite over Cal for those worried.

[terry]

Can this team beat UC East Bay? A few weeks ago, that would have been a crazy question . . .

we are trending down.

Of course we can. That's still a crazy question.

One game is not a trend.

[terry]

Can this team beat UC East Bay? A few weeks ago, that would have been a crazy question . . .

we are trending down.

Of course we can. That's still a crazy question.

One game is not a trend.