Big C said:

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OneKeg said:

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Agree with T4K here. These Auburn fan comments are no more delusional than the perennially optimistic Cal fans here.

Could the Bears win? Sure. Auburn is traveling a long way and the start time is tough for them. But the Tigers have better talent* and better coaching** according to pretty much everyone who isn't a Cal fan.

End of Season Sagarin Ratings during Wilcox's tenure:
2022: Auburn-45, Cal-69
2021: Auburn-13, Cal-41
2020: Auburn-26, Cal-94
2019: Auburn-13, Cal-41
2018: Auburn-15, Cal-59
2017: Auburn-8, Cal-54

* Cal has upgraded talent this year through transfer and NIL? Yep, excited about that. But so has Auburn.

** Better coaching to win football games, that is. I like Wilcox as a person better than Freeze of course.

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Just like every other June for the past 40+ years, I'm really optimistic about this coming season!

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Similar to last year. I thought Notre Dame was a huge missed opportunity, though Wilcox keeping Musgrave for a third season combined with the worst P5 pass defense was going to doom us in any case.

If the offense is firing on all cylinders quickly and the defense returns to a "good" level, we could get out to a fast start with 4 wins over North Texas, Auburn, Idaho, and Arizona State in our first 5 games (assuming a loss in Seattle), which would build confidence, fan excitement and media interest (we could be ranked) heading into the murders' row stretch of the schedule. If we struggle early and only win 2 or 3, well there is always Big Game.

heartofthebear said:

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The more I think about it, I'm coming to realize that the comments from Auburn fans have everything to do with the attitude of SEC fans and very little to do with the reality of the teams they root for. It's sort of like being a Yankee fan or a Lakers fan; while many seasons result in playoff runs, there are just as many bound for disappointment. The attitude of these fan bases to expect every season to be a playoff caliber season, despite the very real odds against that.

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Auburn fans (and SEC fans in general) anticipate every season to be a playoff season. We Cal fans anticipate (hope, really) that every season will be 6-6 or better.

Golden One said:

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heartofthebear said:

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The more I think about it, I'm coming to realize that the comments from Auburn fans have everything to do with the attitude of SEC fans and very little to do with the reality of the teams they root for. It's sort of like being a Yankee fan or a Lakers fan; while many seasons result in playoff runs, there are just as many bound for disappointment. The attitude of these fan bases to expect every season to be a playoff caliber season, despite the very real odds against that.

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Auburn fans (and SEC fans in general) anticipate every season to be a playoff season. We Cal fans anticipate (hope, really) that every season will be 6-6 or better.

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We go through our own periods of rising expectations and entitlement.

If they're going to beat us by 40, they'd better be ready to score 80.

BearHunter said:

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Any comments about hippies in trees?

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You want to feel old... that was SIXTEEN years ago...

MoragaBear said:

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The recent event referenced was a donor event and I asked specifically about free tickets for students to Cal football and hoops and also about the breathalizer issue that was such a big problem impacting student attendance a few years back. Was told that's no longer a policy.

Just passing along what was asked and answered.

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That breathalizer thing was a long time ago. I remember discussing with Sandy what to do about it. I don't remember how / why it was instituted, but on this one you really have to look at it from the admin's perspective. She was in a bit of a no-win, because once in place it's pretty hard to drop since the usual suspects will jump all over by saying she's - at least tacitly - encouraging student drinking. I thought the solution was very good... they simply allowed students to enter through all gates, got word out to the students about that... then they just eventually eliminated the idiotic requirement.

oobay said:

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If they're going to beat us by 40, they'd better be ready to score 80.

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I was thinking 52...

bearsandgiants said:

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We keep catching traditionally strong teams when they're struggling. Notre Dame was the biggest blown opportunity in a decade. Can't wait for this game, and again down there.

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We swept a down Oklahoma home / away back in the late '90s... With Holmoe as coach...

heartofthebear said:

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mbBear said:

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heartofthebear said:

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AXLBear said:

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They're not wrong

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especially about having more fans there than us.
Sad but probably true.

One thing that is interesting about their comments on the game, though, is that, if Cal is such an easy win in Berkeley, how come virtually every SEC team is terrified to schedule games in California? SEC simply won't take the risk. But they make it sound like there is no risk so somebody is not telling the truth here.

9:30 pm. start for them will definitely be a factor. There is a reason why so many good east coast MLB teams lose to horrible west coast teams (ie Oakland A's) while playing in California. Humans are humans no matter what.

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I'm not going to speak this as an absolute about every SEC team, but many aren't worried about "risk," but they avoid having another fairly physical game against OOC P5 school because the in conference games are tough enough.
My friend/associate, an Auburn fan who watches games from the sidelines when he gets there, does not believe the "Cal is a certain win" narrative, and says people with real knowledge and involvement aren't assuming anything.

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The highlighted portion is the key to my point. The Auburn fans say the game won't be physical but the SEC in general avoids these games because they are physical.

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Not shocked you are getting a bit of a contradiction from internet trolls. I lived in Atlanta for 8 years, in BR for 6 months (during a National championship season). My exposure (including my connected Auburn friend) is a bit more sophisticated (though not perfect of course)

zorbarick said:

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Nothing beats the atmosphere of a full Memorial Stadium. How do we make that happen?

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Best way = start dominating against good football teams.

More realistic way = give away tons of free tickets. Every current Cal student and anyone who graduated since 2013 should get in free this year. So should every DLS hs football player.

Anarchistbear said:

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Last five seasons of Auburn football
8-5
9-4
6-5
6-7
5-7

Half a$$ed program, should be an even match

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But we only one-third-assed. So they still have an advantage.

Auburn picked up a former Hawaii transfer to Cincinnati to Auburn, Nick Mardner (WR). He might be pretty good (caught the game winning pass to beat BYU in the 2019 Hawaii Bowl).

Reminds me a bit like Trevor Davis but taller. Both were deep threats.