[71Bear]

Ok guys (and women), it is Big Game week.  Time to put your post-SC blues (nice play on words, eh?) away...

First a prediction:  LSJU 52 UC 13.  Yep, the Cardinal will break the 50 point barrier (a first in BG history).

This is, without a doubt, the worst UC team in my time of following UC football (since 1956).  Sagarin says LSJU should be favored by 34 (I think they are being kind).  As the season has rolled on, UC has gotten progressively worse. 

Any of the "Plunkett lost in a year in which he took the Cardinal to the Rose Bowl" or "1986 miracle talk" is just hot air.  You will see what I mean once the game starts.  This year's edition of UC football makes Stanford's Harris/Teevans teams look like BCS bowl champions. 

Honestly, it is unwatchable.  This isn't a problem for me since I no longer attend UC games (my very insignificant protest against the commercialization of UC football under the Reign of Terror that is the Barbour era). 

So enjoy, and as a public service, here are the three greatest Big Games in my lifetime:

1.  1974 (what an amazing turn of events)
2.  1982 (the day Joe Starkey received his ticket to the Hall of Fame)
3.  1963 (the saddest day I have ever spent at a large public gathering).

[71Bear]

Ok guys (and women), it is Big Game week.  Time to put your post-SC blues (nice play on words, eh?) away...

First a prediction:  LSJU 52 UC 13.  Yep, the Cardinal will break the 50 point barrier (a first in BG history).

This is, without a doubt, the worst UC team in my time of following UC football (since 1956).  Sagarin says LSJU should be favored by 34 (I think they are being kind).  As the season has rolled on, UC has gotten progressively worse. 

Any of the "Plunkett lost in a year in which he took the Cardinal to the Rose Bowl" or "1986 miracle talk" is just hot air.  You will see what I mean once the game starts.  This year's edition of UC football makes Stanford's Harris/Teevans teams look like BCS bowl champions. 

Honestly, it is unwatchable.  This isn't a problem for me since I no longer attend UC games (my very insignificant protest against the commercialization of UC football under the Reign of Terror that is the Barbour era). 

So enjoy, and as a public service, here are the three greatest Big Games in my lifetime:

1.  1974 (what an amazing turn of events)
2.  1982 (the day Joe Starkey received his ticket to the Hall of Fame)
3.  1963 (the saddest day I have ever spent at a large public gathering).

[Rando]

How old were you in 1956? Haha. I was -34

[Rando]

How old were you in 1956? Haha. I was -34

[71Bear]

7 years old.  My parents took me and my buddies to the games. 

[71Bear]

7 years old.  My parents took me and my buddies to the games. 

[Leftcoast]

Wasn't the 1963 game played the weekend after the Kennedy assassination?  President Kennedy was shot on Friday, Nov 22, 1963.  This was also when LSJUMB began their traditional lone trumpet version of the National Anthem.

[Leftcoast]

Wasn't the 1963 game played the weekend after the Kennedy assassination?  President Kennedy was shot on Friday, Nov 22, 1963.  This was also when LSJUMB began their traditional lone trumpet version of the National Anthem.

[Leftcoast]

Yes, delayed to allow a time of national mourning.  I've also heard that the new arrangement of the National Anthem debuted then.


http://tinyurl.com/l8rzofj

[Leftcoast]

Yes, delayed to allow a time of national mourning.  I've also heard that the new arrangement of the National Anthem debuted then.


http://tinyurl.com/l8rzofj

[71Bear]

Garvin,

The game was postponed for one week (as was every sporting event in the country, except the NFL). It was played on Thanksgiving Saturday (Nov 30).

And yes, the Lone Trumpet debuted at that game.  It was something I will never forget.  First, a moment of silence during which you could have heard a pin drop (remarkable given the size of the crowd, 90K give or take).  Immediately afterward (without any introduction), the trumpeter started to play.  There were many who heard those notes with tears in their eyes.  It was a very somber day. 

This Friday, I plan to pause for a moment at 11am PST and remember when the principal of my HS came into my 4th Period Latin class to deliver the terrible news.  It was my generation's defining moment.  A moment frozen in time - geez, I still can remember exactly where I was sitting in that classroom.....

Updated to reflect the fact about the NFL playing their games that weekend (something I had forgotten about)....

[71Bear]

Garvin,

The game was postponed for one week (as was every sporting event in the country, except the NFL). It was played on Thanksgiving Saturday (Nov 30).

And yes, the Lone Trumpet debuted at that game.  It was something I will never forget.  First, a moment of silence during which you could have heard a pin drop (remarkable given the size of the crowd, 90K give or take).  Immediately afterward (without any introduction), the trumpeter started to play.  There were many who heard those notes with tears in their eyes.  It was a very somber day. 

This Friday, I plan to pause for a moment at 11am PST and remember when the principal of my HS came into my 4th Period Latin class to deliver the terrible news.  It was my generation's defining moment.  A moment frozen in time - geez, I still can remember exactly where I was sitting in that classroom.....

Updated to reflect the fact about the NFL playing their games that weekend (something I had forgotten about)....

[yvonne]

Wow, this year, the 22nd is on a Friday. It's the 50th anniversary.

[yvonne]

Wow, this year, the 22nd is on a Friday. It's the 50th anniversary.

[ChicagoCard]

And yes, the Lone Trumpet debuted at that game.  It was something I will never forget.  First, a moment of silence during which you could have heard a pin drop (remarkable given the size of the crowd, 90K give or take).  Immediately afterward (without any introduction), the trumpeter started to play.  There were many who heard those notes with tears in their eyes.  It was a very somber day. 

Thanks for the great post.

[ChicagoCard]

And yes, the Lone Trumpet debuted at that game.  It was something I will never forget.  First, a moment of silence during which you could have heard a pin drop (remarkable given the size of the crowd, 90K give or take).  Immediately afterward (without any introduction), the trumpeter started to play.  There were many who heard those notes with tears in their eyes.  It was a very somber day. 

Thanks for the great post.

[pincemob]

How many times were both teams ranked going into "Big Game"?    The only times that come to mind would be 2009 and 1991, but I am not even sure both teams were ranked then.  Anyone know the answer? 

[pincemob]

How many times were both teams ranked going into "Big Game"?    The only times that come to mind would be 2009 and 1991, but I am not even sure both teams were ranked then.  Anyone know the answer? 

[CowboyIndian]

Both teams have been rank a lot more often than ranked.

[CowboyIndian]

Both teams have been rank a lot more often than ranked.

[PrinceLightfoot]

How many times were both teams ranked going into "Big Game"?    The only times that come to mind would be 2009 and 1991, but I am not even sure both teams were ranked then.  Anyone know the answer?

In 1991, the AP had us ranked #21 and Cal ranked #6
In 2009, the BCS had us ranked #17 and Cal ranked #25

[PrinceLightfoot]

How many times were both teams ranked going into "Big Game"?    The only times that come to mind would be 2009 and 1991, but I am not even sure both teams were ranked then.  Anyone know the answer?

In 1991, the AP had us ranked #21 and Cal ranked #6
In 2009, the BCS had us ranked #17 and Cal ranked #25

[71Bear]

Also, 1937, 1949 and 1951 (per the UC Media Guide)...

[71Bear]

Also, 1937, 1949 and 1951 (per the UC Media Guide)...

[Farm93]

A 1PM kickoff.  Finally, a traditional kickoff time in what should be a lovely day in the SF Bay Area.

I think the Stanford loss and UCB's inability to keep games close enabled Big Game to avoid those more important early evening timeslots.

I think UCB has a lot more experience with daytime games this year, so that is something they can now use as they prepare for Big Game.

[Farm93]

A 1PM kickoff.  Finally, a traditional kickoff time in what should be a lovely day in the SF Bay Area.

I think the Stanford loss and UCB's inability to keep games close enabled Big Game to avoid those more important early evening timeslots.

I think UCB has a lot more experience with daytime games this year, so that is something they can now use as they prepare for Big Game.

[Griffins78]

So enjoy, and as a public service, here are the three greatest Big Games in my lifetime:

1.  1974 (what an amazing turn of events)
2.  1982 (the day Joe Starkey received his ticket to the Hall of Fame)
3.  1963 (the saddest day I have ever spent at a large public gathering).

My very first Big Game - 1974 was the greatest I have ever seen too (maybe because it was my first) - and it established the greatness of the rivalry forever for me. Also, because we had the bonfire and the freshmen dorms had to guard it around the clock for an entire week (or so I recall). I remember going on weenie hunts and patrols walking around Lake Lag  in the middle of the night. It was a massive build up to the game and I recalled us standing most if not the entire game.

I have always felt that the best Big Games were always played on even years at Cal. I thought that the closeness of the fans/seats to the field added to the drama.

1988 and 1990 were great and memorable games too. With the turn of events that sent one side delirious only to be premature and then the other side goes berserk.

[Griffins78]

So enjoy, and as a public service, here are the three greatest Big Games in my lifetime:

1.  1974 (what an amazing turn of events)
2.  1982 (the day Joe Starkey received his ticket to the Hall of Fame)
3.  1963 (the saddest day I have ever spent at a large public gathering).

My very first Big Game - 1974 was the greatest I have ever seen too (maybe because it was my first) - and it established the greatness of the rivalry forever for me. Also, because we had the bonfire and the freshmen dorms had to guard it around the clock for an entire week (or so I recall). I remember going on weenie hunts and patrols walking around Lake Lag  in the middle of the night. It was a massive build up to the game and I recalled us standing most if not the entire game.

I have always felt that the best Big Games were always played on even years at Cal. I thought that the closeness of the fans/seats to the field added to the drama.

1988 and 1990 were great and memorable games too. With the turn of events that sent one side delirious only to be premature and then the other side goes berserk.

[Oasis]

Do you remember the bugler at Arlington at JFK's funeral?  I wonder if that inspired the lone-trumpet arrangement. 

Everyone remembers where they were when they heard about the assassination.  I was in the 4th grade when the teacher announced it and realized I knew nothing about Lyndon Johnson except that he was from Texas.

[Oasis]

Do you remember the bugler at Arlington at JFK's funeral?  I wonder if that inspired the lone-trumpet arrangement. 

Everyone remembers where they were when they heard about the assassination.  I was in the 4th grade when the teacher announced it and realized I knew nothing about Lyndon Johnson except that he was from Texas.

[76lsjumb]

[font=georgia][size=12pt]Do you remember the bugler at Arlington at JFK's funeral?  I wonder if that inspired the lone-trumpet arrangement. 

Would be a good story, but I don't think that's what happened.  A brief history of the LSJUMB arrangement is here:

http://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/maga...e_id=43486

Barnes confirmed this at the LSJUMB 101 event recently at Homecoming.

[76lsjumb]

[font=georgia][size=12pt]Do you remember the bugler at Arlington at JFK's funeral?  I wonder if that inspired the lone-trumpet arrangement. 

Would be a good story, but I don't think that's what happened.  A brief history of the LSJUMB arrangement is here:

http://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/maga...e_id=43486

Barnes confirmed this at the LSJUMB 101 event recently at Homecoming.

[Oasis]

Although the story is not true, it should be.

[Oasis]

Although the story is not true, it should be.