sycasey said:

---

If he wins more, then yes he gets new life. If not, then no.

Would have been the same in the Pac. It's not the conference that does it, it's winning. Now, if it proves easier to win in the ACC then maybe you could say the conference helped him.

---

With 8 conference games in the 16 team ACC vs 9 in the PAC-12 we will schedule 1 additional OOC patsy and the strength of our conference schedule may vary greatly year to year. What matters for the OP's question is not the long-run, but the short run and as of right now, the schedule alone should produce 1 more win in 2024 and has the potential to produce several more in 2025, but could be tougher thereafter.

calumnus said:

---

sycasey said:

---

If he wins more, then yes he gets new life. If not, then no.

Would have been the same in the Pac. It's not the conference that does it, it's winning. Now, if it proves easier to win in the ACC then maybe you could say the conference helped him.

---

With 8 conference games in the 16 team ACC vs 9 in the PAC-12 we will schedule 1 additional OOC patsy and the strength of our conference schedule may vary greatly year to year. What matters for the OP's question is not the long-run, but the short run and as of right now, the schedule alone should produce 1 more win in 2024 and has the potential to produce several more in 2025, but could be tougher thereafter.

---

The most important job right now (and this isn't all on Wilcox) is energizing the fanbase, selling tickets, and getting TV ratings. Yes, winning is intrinsically involved, but it takes the whole athletics department to energize the base.

Without excitement and fans, Cal will be left behind next realignment. Hopefully Cal can overachieved this year and next to generate some sustained hype.

Christ is now gone, succeeded by Lyons, who I think is a Cal footrball fan. I read he went to Cal and attended the 1982 Big Game as an undergrad. Perhaps he will guide Cal athletics a lot closer than Christ did.

golden sloth said:

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calumnus said:

---

sycasey said:

---

If he wins more, then yes he gets new life. If not, then no.

Would have been the same in the Pac. It's not the conference that does it, it's winning. Now, if it proves easier to win in the ACC then maybe you could say the conference helped him.

---

With 8 conference games in the 16 team ACC vs 9 in the PAC-12 we will schedule 1 additional OOC patsy and the strength of our conference schedule may vary greatly year to year. What matters for the OP's question is not the long-run, but the short run and as of right now, the schedule alone should produce 1 more win in 2024 and has the potential to produce several more in 2025, but could be tougher thereafter.

---

The most important job right now (and this isn't all on Wilcox) is energizing the fanbase, selling tickets, and getting TV ratings. Yes, winning is intrinsically involved, but it takes the whole athletics department to energize the base.

Without excitement and fans, Cal will be left behind next realignment. Hopefully Cal can overachieved this year and next to generate some sustained hype.

---

Like not releasing the Fall Camp schedule until the same week Fall Camp begins? "Oh, fans attend those?"

golden sloth said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sycasey said:

---

If he wins more, then yes he gets new life. If not, then no.

Would have been the same in the Pac. It's not the conference that does it, it's winning. Now, if it proves easier to win in the ACC then maybe you could say the conference helped him.

---

With 8 conference games in the 16 team ACC vs 9 in the PAC-12 we will schedule 1 additional OOC patsy and the strength of our conference schedule may vary greatly year to year. What matters for the OP's question is not the long-run, but the short run and as of right now, the schedule alone should produce 1 more win in 2024 and has the potential to produce several more in 2025, but could be tougher thereafter.

---

The most important job right now (and this isn't all on Wilcox) is energizing the fanbase, selling tickets, and getting TV ratings. Yes, winning is intrinsically involved, but it takes the whole athletics department to energize the base.

Without excitement and fans, Cal will be left behind next realignment. Hopefully Cal can overachieved this year and next to generate some sustained hype.

---

Wilcox is heading into Year 8. It's been 7 years of mediocrity to this point. Aside from winning and/or Knowlton getting fired, what is there for the fan base to really get excited about?

Cal_79 said:

---

golden sloth said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sycasey said:

---

If he wins more, then yes he gets new life. If not, then no.

Would have been the same in the Pac. It's not the conference that does it, it's winning. Now, if it proves easier to win in the ACC then maybe you could say the conference helped him.

---

With 8 conference games in the 16 team ACC vs 9 in the PAC-12 we will schedule 1 additional OOC patsy and the strength of our conference schedule may vary greatly year to year. What matters for the OP's question is not the long-run, but the short run and as of right now, the schedule alone should produce 1 more win in 2024 and has the potential to produce several more in 2025, but could be tougher thereafter.

---

The most important job right now (and this isn't all on Wilcox) is energizing the fanbase, selling tickets, and getting TV ratings. Yes, winning is intrinsically involved, but it takes the whole athletics department to energize the base.

Without excitement and fans, Cal will be left behind next realignment. Hopefully Cal can overachieved this year and next to generate some sustained hype.

---

Wilcox is heading into Year 8. It's been 7 years of mediocrity to this point. Aside from winning and/or Knowlton getting fired, what is there for the fan base to really get excited about?

---

Ott lead the PAC-12 in rushing last year and was picked by ESPN as likely the 1st RB to be taken in the 2025 draft, but our program keeps it a secret. We should be hyping Ott. Last year Wilcox didn't even bring Ott to Media Day. He brought defensive players and an OL seeing Media Day as a way to reward seniors rather than a way to hype his program (which he seems allergic to). Normally an introverted HC can pushed towards publicity from the AD, but at Cal especially under the current AD, it is the opposite. Our department stonewalled alums trying to do a billboard campaign. Mark Madsen (now that he has turned down openings at Stanford and BYU) is a good coach for Cal in that regard. He is doing whatever he can and is pushing the AD to do the right thing to grow the fan base.

I hope the Oakland Airport ads featuring Cal current Olympic athletes morph into ads with Cal football (then basketball) this Fall featuring our entrance into the ACC.

Cal_79 said:

---

golden sloth said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sycasey said:

---

If he wins more, then yes he gets new life. If not, then no.

Would have been the same in the Pac. It's not the conference that does it, it's winning. Now, if it proves easier to win in the ACC then maybe you could say the conference helped him.

---

With 8 conference games in the 16 team ACC vs 9 in the PAC-12 we will schedule 1 additional OOC patsy and the strength of our conference schedule may vary greatly year to year. What matters for the OP's question is not the long-run, but the short run and as of right now, the schedule alone should produce 1 more win in 2024 and has the potential to produce several more in 2025, but could be tougher thereafter.

---

The most important job right now (and this isn't all on Wilcox) is energizing the fanbase, selling tickets, and getting TV ratings. Yes, winning is intrinsically involved, but it takes the whole athletics department to energize the base.

Without excitement and fans, Cal will be left behind next realignment. Hopefully Cal can overachieved this year and next to generate some sustained hype.

---

Wilcox is heading into Year 8. It's been 7 years of mediocrity to this point. Aside from winning and/or Knowlton getting fired, what is there for the fan base to really get excited about?

---

30-43 against FBS teams and 21-37 in conference is substantially below mediocre, but I agree that the product getting fixed is much more important than marketing.

The problem is that we no longer have the luxury of time. The marketing has to happen, and we have to hope the product has been "fixed" through the NIL efforts talent boost and lowered competition. There's no longer any time to wait for the organic fan base re-engagement that comes with winning.

PtownBear1 said:

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Cal_79 said:

---

golden sloth said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sycasey said:

---

If he wins more, then yes he gets new life. If not, then no.

Would have been the same in the Pac. It's not the conference that does it, it's winning. Now, if it proves easier to win in the ACC then maybe you could say the conference helped him.

---

With 8 conference games in the 16 team ACC vs 9 in the PAC-12 we will schedule 1 additional OOC patsy and the strength of our conference schedule may vary greatly year to year. What matters for the OP's question is not the long-run, but the short run and as of right now, the schedule alone should produce 1 more win in 2024 and has the potential to produce several more in 2025, but could be tougher thereafter.

---

The most important job right now (and this isn't all on Wilcox) is energizing the fanbase, selling tickets, and getting TV ratings. Yes, winning is intrinsically involved, but it takes the whole athletics department to energize the base.

Without excitement and fans, Cal will be left behind next realignment. Hopefully Cal can overachieved this year and next to generate some sustained hype.

---

Wilcox is heading into Year 8. It's been 7 years of mediocrity to this point. Aside from winning and/or Knowlton getting fired, what is there for the fan base to really get excited about?

---

30-43 against FBS teams and 21-37 in conference is substantially below mediocre, but I agree that the product getting fixed is much more important than marketing.

The problem is that we no longer have the luxury of time. The marketing has to happen, and we have to hope the product has been "fixed" through the NIL efforts talent boost and lowered competition. There's no longer any time to wait for the organic fan base re-engagement that comes with winning.

---

This. Not even close to "mediocre".

Cal_79 said:

---

golden sloth said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sycasey said:

---

If he wins more, then yes he gets new life. If not, then no.

Would have been the same in the Pac. It's not the conference that does it, it's winning. Now, if it proves easier to win in the ACC then maybe you could say the conference helped him.

---

With 8 conference games in the 16 team ACC vs 9 in the PAC-12 we will schedule 1 additional OOC patsy and the strength of our conference schedule may vary greatly year to year. What matters for the OP's question is not the long-run, but the short run and as of right now, the schedule alone should produce 1 more win in 2024 and has the potential to produce several more in 2025, but could be tougher thereafter.

---

The most important job right now (and this isn't all on Wilcox) is energizing the fanbase, selling tickets, and getting TV ratings. Yes, winning is intrinsically involved, but it takes the whole athletics department to energize the base.

Without excitement and fans, Cal will be left behind next realignment. Hopefully Cal can overachieved this year and next to generate some sustained hype.

---

Wilcox is heading into Year 8. It's been 7 years of mediocrity to this point. Aside from winning and/or Knowlton getting fired, what is there for the fan base to really get excited about?

---

Dont be an Eeyore! There is plenty to be excited about.

1. An outstanding running back gaining national preseason accolades.
2. Two quarterbacks with positive proven in game experience.
3. An experienced Oline.
4. A top 20 portal class.
5. Beautiful fall afternoons at Strawberry Canyon.
6. A really good reason to bar hop around Berkeley and reminisce about your college days.
7. On paper, the weakest schedule Cal has had in years.
8. A national broadcast for 2 of the first 3 games.
9. The fact we have the option of watching Cal playing football in a power conference.
10. The best damn view in college football.

golden sloth said:

---

Cal_79 said:

---

golden sloth said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sycasey said:

---

If he wins more, then yes he gets new life. If not, then no.

Would have been the same in the Pac. It's not the conference that does it, it's winning. Now, if it proves easier to win in the ACC then maybe you could say the conference helped him.

---

With 8 conference games in the 16 team ACC vs 9 in the PAC-12 we will schedule 1 additional OOC patsy and the strength of our conference schedule may vary greatly year to year. What matters for the OP's question is not the long-run, but the short run and as of right now, the schedule alone should produce 1 more win in 2024 and has the potential to produce several more in 2025, but could be tougher thereafter.

---

The most important job right now (and this isn't all on Wilcox) is energizing the fanbase, selling tickets, and getting TV ratings. Yes, winning is intrinsically involved, but it takes the whole athletics department to energize the base.

Without excitement and fans, Cal will be left behind next realignment. Hopefully Cal can overachieved this year and next to generate some sustained hype.

---

Wilcox is heading into Year 8. It's been 7 years of mediocrity to this point. Aside from winning and/or Knowlton getting fired, what is there for the fan base to really get excited about?

---

Dont be an Eeyore! There is plenty to be excited about.

1. An outstanding running back gaining national preseason accolades.
2. Two quarterbacks with positive proven in game experience.
3. An experienced Oline.
4. A top 20 portal class.
5. Beautiful fall afternoons at Strawberry Canyon.
6. A really good reason to bar hop around Berkeley and reminisce about your college days.
7. On paper, the weakest schedule Cal has had in years.
8. A national broadcast for 2 of the first 3 games.
9. The fact we have the option of watching Cal playing football in a power conference.
10. The best damn view in college football.

---

Not being an Eeyore. Just frustrated that we've had exciting players, a beautiful campus, one of the most scenic stadiums in the country, players who go on to achieve NFL stardom... yet boring, sloppy play calling by coaches who seem more afraid to lose than they are excited to win...

Until the coaches act the part of winning football, putting it on the fans is putting it on the wrong party.

We'll again be in our seats at Memorial Stadium and on campus tailgating with friends. It's up to the football program to give reasons we should expect better than what's been rolled out the past 7 years...

Our mantra has been to never let bad football get in the way of a good tailgate. Give us reasons to be in our seats before kickoff rather than linger at our tailgate. Make Cal Football fun again.

Actually, I the article I had read was in the Athletic...Cal listed as one of the best bets to go under at 5.5 projected wins...

Cal 5.5 wins: The Bears finished 2023 on a good note and kept stud RB Jaydn Ott, but getting bowl-eligible looks like a steep climb as they enter their new existence in the ACC. They open at UC Davis, which should get 2024 off to a good start. After that, it's not ideal. They go across the country to Auburn, then return home to play San Diego State, then go back to the opposite corner of the country the next week to visit FSU. They get Miami at home before a third trip to the Eastern Time Zone to play at Pitt. Later in the season, they have to travel to Wake Forest. Other seemingly winnable games include Oregon State and Stanford.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5528250/2024/05/30/college-football-win-totals-over-under/

dha said:

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Actually, I the article I had read was in the Athletic...Cal listed as one of the best bets to go under at 5.5 projected wins...

Cal 5.5 wins: The Bears finished 2023 on a good note and kept stud RB Jaydn Ott, but getting bowl-eligible looks like a steep climb as they enter their new existence in the ACC. They open at UC Davis, which should get 2024 off to a good start. After that, it's not ideal. They go across the country to Auburn, then return home to play San Diego State, then go back to the opposite corner of the country the next week to visit FSU. They get Miami at home before a third trip to the Eastern Time Zone to play at Pitt. Later in the season, they have to travel to Wake Forest. Other seemingly winnable games include Oregon State and Stanford.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5528250/2024/05/30/college-football-win-totals-over-under/

---

This is one of the lower over/under I've seen. Most projections have cal between 6.5 and 7.5.

golden sloth said:

---

dha said:

---

Actually, I the article I had read was in the Athletic...Cal listed as one of the best bets to go under at 5.5 projected wins...

Cal 5.5 wins: The Bears finished 2023 on a good note and kept stud RB Jaydn Ott, but getting bowl-eligible looks like a steep climb as they enter their new existence in the ACC. They open at UC Davis, which should get 2024 off to a good start. After that, it's not ideal. They go across the country to Auburn, then return home to play San Diego State, then go back to the opposite corner of the country the next week to visit FSU. They get Miami at home before a third trip to the Eastern Time Zone to play at Pitt. Later in the season, they have to travel to Wake Forest. Other seemingly winnable games include Oregon State and Stanford.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5528250/2024/05/30/college-football-win-totals-over-under/

---

This is one of the lower over/under I've seen. Most projections have cal between 6.5 and 7.5.

---

I bet the over at 6/6.5 at Caesars and MGM in Vegas a month ago, over/under dropping below 6 would be nuts.

Cal_79 said:

---

golden sloth said:

---

Cal_79 said:

---

golden sloth said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sycasey said:

---

If he wins more, then yes he gets new life. If not, then no.

Would have been the same in the Pac. It's not the conference that does it, it's winning. Now, if it proves easier to win in the ACC then maybe you could say the conference helped him.

---

With 8 conference games in the 16 team ACC vs 9 in the PAC-12 we will schedule 1 additional OOC patsy and the strength of our conference schedule may vary greatly year to year. What matters for the OP's question is not the long-run, but the short run and as of right now, the schedule alone should produce 1 more win in 2024 and has the potential to produce several more in 2025, but could be tougher thereafter.

---

The most important job right now (and this isn't all on Wilcox) is energizing the fanbase, selling tickets, and getting TV ratings. Yes, winning is intrinsically involved, but it takes the whole athletics department to energize the base.

Without excitement and fans, Cal will be left behind next realignment. Hopefully Cal can overachieved this year and next to generate some sustained hype.

---

Wilcox is heading into Year 8. It's been 7 years of mediocrity to this point. Aside from winning and/or Knowlton getting fired, what is there for the fan base to really get excited about?

---

Dont be an Eeyore! There is plenty to be excited about.

1. An outstanding running back gaining national preseason accolades.
2. Two quarterbacks with positive proven in game experience.
3. An experienced Oline.
4. A top 20 portal class.
5. Beautiful fall afternoons at Strawberry Canyon.
6. A really good reason to bar hop around Berkeley and reminisce about your college days.
7. On paper, the weakest schedule Cal has had in years.
8. A national broadcast for 2 of the first 3 games.
9. The fact we have the option of watching Cal playing football in a power conference.
10. The best damn view in college football.

---

Not being an Eeyore. Just frustrated that we've had exciting players, a beautiful campus, one of the most scenic stadiums in the country, players who go on to achieve NFL stardom... yet boring, sloppy play calling by coaches who seem more afraid to lose than they are excited to win...

Until the coaches act the part of winning football, putting it on the fans is putting it on the wrong party.

We'll again be in our seats at Memorial Stadium and on campus tailgating with friends. It's up to the football program to give reasons we should expect better than what's been rolled out the past 7 years...

Our mantra has been to never let bad football get in the way of a good tailgate. Give us reasons to be in our seats before kickoff rather than linger at our tailgate. Make Cal Football fun again.

---

Amen brother!

I think the issue of Knowlton's "mishandling of issues" is not well known among Cal fans.

I think a good article should be written covering Knowlton's mistakes and good decisions so Cal fans can more knowledgeably make a decision on his future at Cal. The same should be done regarding Wilcox.