First, I'll say how much I wish this game was played in Berkeley again this season. We had a damn good time drinking our way around Northern Cal and wish we could do it again this season.

What's the consensus from the Cal perspective on the game this coming Saturday? Us Auburn fans are optimistic after what our team did on Saturday, despite it being a mid-tier SWAC team. Thorne seems much improved, throwing for 300+, four passing TDs and running for another. Receivers are big, physical, and fast. We have three Auburn caliber running backs and what seems to be an improved OL who finished middle of the conference last season.

Defensive line seems solid, linebackers should be elite, and secondary is still TBD. Teams with a strong passing attack could be an issue for us.

End of the day, I expect Auburn by 10-14. How's everyone feeling?

Being candid we feel very negative about the year. It was a miserable performance.

We are <hoping> the coaches were holding out injured players and sandbagging on the playcalling and will pull out all the stops against you guys. Otherwise it could get ugly. Hopefully no more injuries.

Quote:

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Thorne seems much improved, throwing for 300+, four passing TDs and running for another.

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That improvement isn't good news for Cal. Auburn's offensive struggles kept the Bears in the game last season.

On defense, Asante was dominant against Cal in last year's game, and unfortunately for us Cal fans he's back this season.

Maybe the Bears will show huge improvement from game 1 to game 2 and make the game close like last year.

Good luck to the Tigers except for this week.

Let's put it this way, you might want to start a "Cal roster look alike" thread on your Football Board and have your way with us.

https://bearinsider.com/forums/2/topics/121917

gatorz1209 said:

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First, I'll say how much I wish this game was played in Berkeley again this season. We had a damn good time drinking our way around Northern Cal and wish we could do it again this season.

What's the consensus from the Cal perspective on the game this coming Saturday? Us Auburn fans are optimistic after what our team did on Saturday, despite it being a mid-tier SWAC team. Thorne seems much improved, throwing for 300+, four passing TDs and running for another. Receivers are big, physical, and fast. We have three Auburn caliber running backs and what seems to be an improved OL who finished middle of the conference last season.

Defensive line seems solid, linebackers should be elite, and secondary is still TBD. Teams with a strong passing attack could be an issue for us.

End of the day, I expect Auburn by 10-14. How's everyone feeling?

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You guys look much improved, we're about the same. Given that we're playing away, not good.

gatorz1209 said:

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First, I'll say how much I wish this game was played in Berkeley again this season. We had a damn good time drinking our way around Northern Cal and wish we could do it again this season.

What's the consensus from the Cal perspective on the game this coming Saturday? Us Auburn fans are optimistic after what our team did on Saturday, despite it being a mid-tier SWAC team. Thorne seems much improved, throwing for 300+, four passing TDs and running for another. Receivers are big, physical, and fast. We have three Auburn caliber running backs and what seems to be an improved OL who finished middle of the conference last season.

Defensive line seems solid, linebackers should be elite, and secondary is still TBD. Teams with a strong passing attack could be an issue for us.

End of the day, I expect Auburn by 10-14. How's everyone feeling?

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We are looking forward to some southern hospitality and observing Auburn's traditions. Wife and I love going to these away games.

Based on the game being at your house, and the way Cal played in game 1, you are dead on with a 10 to 14 spread for the game. Cal needs a much better offensive performance to keep the game closer.

The fact that the sunshine pumpers have all but vanished and the BI writers are struggling to put a positive spin on things is all you need to know about where our collective headspace is.

…but, but, but, we have 54 new players and the 13th ranked transfer class.

bearister said:

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…but, but, but, we have 54 new players and the 13th ranked transfer class.

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We need a portal system for coaches. The coaches don't know what to do with what they have.

Not great will be the collective answer. We actually added a lot of talent but the most important positions (OL & DL) are still a weakness. We got no push and couldn't bully UC Davis' DL around yet kept trying to run up the gut. Being down 40% of our starting OL doesn't help but it's no excuse against a subpar opponent. Add into the mix that Ott left the game with injury and might not play this week and things look even more dire.

Our pass rush is weak, our OL is small, our best player might be out, our OC is suspect. It's not great conditions to go on the road against an improving P4 team

bearister said:

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…but, but, but, we have 54 new players and the 13th ranked transfer class.

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Yes, but we have the same crappy head coach.

wifeisafurd said:

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gatorz1209 said:

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First, I'll say how much I wish this game was played in Berkeley again this season. We had a damn good time drinking our way around Northern Cal and wish we could do it again this season.

What's the consensus from the Cal perspective on the game this coming Saturday? Us Auburn fans are optimistic after what our team did on Saturday, despite it being a mid-tier SWAC team. Thorne seems much improved, throwing for 300+, four passing TDs and running for another. Receivers are big, physical, and fast. We have three Auburn caliber running backs and what seems to be an improved OL who finished middle of the conference last season.

Defensive line seems solid, linebackers should be elite, and secondary is still TBD. Teams with a strong passing attack could be an issue for us.

End of the day, I expect Auburn by 10-14. How's everyone feeling?

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We are looking forward to some southern hospitality and observing Auburn's traditions. Wife and I love going to these away games.

Based on the game being at your house, and the way Cal played in game 1, you are dead on with a 10 to 14 spread for the game. Cal needs a much better offensive performance to keep the game closer.

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Our fans will certainly take care of you on game day. I'm sure you've scouted the area a good bit, but Byron's BBQ is a great easy spot for good southern bbq. If you're in the mood for a good dining experience, you can never go wrong with Acre, although you might have needed to book a rez a couple weeks ago. Always worth trying.

We don't have the esthetics of the Bay Area, but hopefully the weather cooperates and it's not too muggy.

bearister said:

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…but, but, but, we have 54 new players and the 13th ranked transfer class.

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It is quite a challenge to try to get that many new players to play as a cohesive unit, and we all know that we don't have a particularly accomplished coaching staff to meet this challenge.

The transfer portal lets top tier programs unload the players that did not pan out for them, opening up more recruiting slots for them so they can get even more talent. The net effect is to widen the gap between top tier programs and the ones below them (like Cal), who think they are getting shiny nuggets of players from the portal, but what they are getting is fool's gold. The winners in this system are the top programs and the players who enter the portal and get handsome NIL packages from the wallets of fans desperate for success on the playing field.

Honestly, even if Cal had zero injuries, Cal fans would not exactly be brimming with confidence and bravado. But as it is, the Bears have multiple injuries to some of our very best players on both sides of the ball. Our opponent in week 1, UC Davis, is a good FCS team, probably better than the FCS team Auburn played, but still... UCD stalemated Cal on the lines for the entire game and looked like the more physical and better-coached team during the first half, which is no bueno even with all of Cal's injuries. Auburn, on the other hand, did what a good team should do against an overmatched opponent.

Still, hoping the Bears give the Tigers at least a remotely competitive game, and that folks enjoy the gameday atmosphere.

But I have to admit, the main reason I am replying is I was wondering, why does an Auburn fan have "gatorz" in their handle? I'm probably missing something obvious, but I don't get it! =)

We went into the season thinking we had a puncher's chance at Auburn. injuries and vanilla play calling has us pessimistic. But maybe we finally decided on Mendoza as our QB. He's a gamer. And maybe our defense was holding back this week.

Looking forward to meeting some Auburn fans and touring the campus.

In fairness those transfers showed out. Bollers was the best DL, Buchanan was all over, Harris got better as the game went.

Auburn by 17 ish. We had our chance last year to beat you and Cal'd it. This year, in your house, no reason to think we're competitive after what we saw yesterday.


But, Wilcox has tended to perform better than his standard in these early season, non-conference one off road games.

Either way, looking forward to seeing y'all traditions and stadium this weekend.

GoCal80 said:

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bearister said:

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…but, but, but, we have 54 new players and the 13th ranked transfer class.

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It is quite a challenge to try to get that many new players to play as a cohesive unit, and we all know that we don't have a particularly accomplished coaching staff to meet this challenge.

The transfer portal lets top tier programs unload the players that did not pan out for them, opening up more recruiting slots for them so they can get even more talent. The net effect is to widen the gap between top tier programs and the ones below them (like Cal), who think they are getting shiny nuggets of players from the portal, but what they are getting is fool's gold. The winners in this system are the top programs and the players who enter the portal and get handsome NIL packages from the wallets of fans desperate for success on the playing field.

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It is true at all levels. Even if Cal is hovering around #50 that is hundreds of football programs below us. One of those far below us just held their own against us into the 3rd quarter.

The fact is, independent talent evaluators have evaluated our last two portal classes as being in the top 10, ahead of many of those "top programs" you mention. Cal Legends was able to retain our single best player, who some evaluators think can be the top RB in the 2025 NFL draft.

The biggest problem is OL and DL where we are not bringing in talent. Bringing in great transfer classes of WRs, RBs, DBs and LBs doesn't do much if your lines suck. I trust Bloesch is a good OL coach but we need big, strong, fast, agile, aggressive PLAYERS. That means recruiting. Transfers would be great. And while Bloesch seemed to be a good OL coach last year, i doubt he is the best OC we could have found, and worse, by taking on bigger duties he has less time to coach the OL (or he is spending too much time with the OL). As for DL, Browning has shown me nothing in 7 years and Sirmon at DC as well.

And that is the problem. Good Portal classes that replace what we lose but do not address our long-standing problems coached up by a sub-par staff.

alarsuel said:

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Auburn by 17 ish. We had our chance last year to beat you and Cal'd it. This year, in your house, no reason to think we're competitive after what we saw yesterday.


But, Wilcox has tended to perform better than his standard in these early season, non-conference one off road games.

Either way, looking forward to seeing y'all traditions and stadium this weekend.

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24

auburn 42 cal 10. cal wilts in the heat and humidity. my son and his wife will be at the game cheering them on..

OneKeg said:

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Honestly, even if Cal had zero injuries, Cal fans would not exactly be brimming with confidence and bravado. But as it is, the Bears have multiple injuries to some of our very best players on both sides of the ball. Our opponent in week 1, UC Davis, is a good FCS team, probably better than the FCS team Auburn played, but still... UCD stalemated Cal on the lines for the entire game and looked like the more physical and better-coached team during the first half, which is no bueno even with all of Cal's injuries. Auburn, on the other hand, did what a good team should do against an overmatched opponent.

Still, hoping the Bears give the Tigers at least a remotely competitive game, and that folks enjoy the gameday atmosphere.

But I have to admit, the main reason I am replying is I was wondering, why does an Auburn fan have "gatorz" in their handle? I'm probably missing something obvious, but I don't get it! =)

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It's an old handle from the rivals message board. I grew up a UF fan (dad is an alum) but I graduated from Auburn.

gatorz1209 said:

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First, I'll say how much I wish this game was played in Berkeley again this season. We had a damn good time drinking our way around Northern Cal and wish we could do it again this season.

What's the consensus from the Cal perspective on the game this coming Saturday? Us Auburn fans are optimistic after what our team did on Saturday, despite it being a mid-tier SWAC team. Thorne seems much improved, throwing for 300+, four passing TDs and running for another. Receivers are big, physical, and fast. We have three Auburn caliber running backs and what seems to be an improved OL who finished middle of the conference last season.

Defensive line seems solid, linebackers should be elite, and secondary is still TBD. Teams with a strong passing attack could be an issue for us.

End of the day, I expect Auburn by 10-14. How's everyone feeling?

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I feel like I'm witnessing the death throws of Cal D1 football.

Seriously.

The consolation is that it may be the entire system is a couple seasons from a terminal diagnosis.

I also forgot there was a game yesterday until about 1am today. Turns out Cal probably forgot until half time.

You guys are going to get your a$$es kicked nine ways to Sunday

Clown comment

If Vitikane is back, if McDonald is back, if Merriweather and Grayes are back I'd feel good.
Unfortunately Ott is out as well and the backups didn't show anything special.
I'm extremely worried about our offensive line. They looked like trash in the run game and our left tackle was getting beat consistently in 1 on 1 by an fcs d end.
Long story short I'd feel like we have a punchers chance with any semblance of an offensive line. Unfortunately the same theme is appearing once more for the 8th season in a row.

CNHTH said:

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If Vitikane is back, if McDonald is back, if Merriweather and Grayes are back I'd feel good.
Unfortunately Ott is out as well and the backups didn't show anything special.
I'm extremely worried about our offensive line. They looked like trash in the run game and our left tackle was getting beat consistently in 1 on 1 by an fcs d end.
Long story short I'd feel like we have a punchers chance with any semblance of an offensive line. Unfortunately the same theme is appearing once more for the 8th season in a row.

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Two weeks ago you predicted 10-2. That is a long drop to the hard floor of reality. Are you OK?

CNHTH said:

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If Vitikane is back, if McDonald is back, if Merriweather and Grayes are back I'd feel good.
Unfortunately Ott is out as well and the backups didn't show anything special.
I'm extremely worried about our offensive line. They looked like trash in the run game and our left tackle was getting beat consistently in 1 on 1 by an fcs d end.
Long story short I'd feel like we have a punchers chance with any semblance of an offensive line. Unfortunately the same theme is appearing once more for the 8th season in a row.

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Didn't you tell us Cal would win 10 games?

calumnus said:

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CNHTH said:

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If Vitikane is back, if McDonald is back, if Merriweather and Grayes are back I'd feel good.
Unfortunately Ott is out as well and the backups didn't show anything special.
I'm extremely worried about our offensive line. They looked like trash in the run game and our left tackle was getting beat consistently in 1 on 1 by an fcs d end.
Long story short I'd feel like we have a punchers chance with any semblance of an offensive line. Unfortunately the same theme is appearing once more for the 8th season in a row.

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Two weeks ago you predicted 10-2. That is a long drop to the hard floor of reality. Are you OK?

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2 weeks ago I was watching Vitikane et al along the line.
I know the Wilcox MO is to treat FCS like a warm-up and ignore the score but that oline looked nothing like the one I saw in camp. It got Ott and Calloway injured vs an fcs team and we're lucky Mendoza didn't get hurt as well with all the the free rushers they had against Morrow play after play.

I noted a week or so ago the inexperience at LT, hope he learns fast

Safe to say that most people aren't feeling too positive after a lackluster performance against UC Davis, in which more than a few guys seemed to be injured.

Personally? I'm not sure how to feel about it. Under Justin Wilcox, Cal has almost always played down to the FCS opponent in the first half before eventually pulling out a win by more than one score. It's happened in bad seasons for us and also good/average seasons. It's not really a leading indicator of anything. So my personal feeling is "uncertain."

LunchTime said:

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gatorz1209 said:

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First, I'll say how much I wish this game was played in Berkeley again this season. We had a damn good time drinking our way around Northern Cal and wish we could do it again this season.

What's the consensus from the Cal perspective on the game this coming Saturday? Us Auburn fans are optimistic after what our team did on Saturday, despite it being a mid-tier SWAC team. Thorne seems much improved, throwing for 300+, four passing TDs and running for another. Receivers are big, physical, and fast. We have three Auburn caliber running backs and what seems to be an improved OL who finished middle of the conference last season.

Defensive line seems solid, linebackers should be elite, and secondary is still TBD. Teams with a strong passing attack could be an issue for us.

End of the day, I expect Auburn by 10-14. How's everyone feeling?

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I feel like I'm witnessing the death throws of Cal D1 football.

Seriously.

The consolation is that it may be the entire system is a couple seasons from a terminal diagnosis.

I also forgot there was a game yesterday until about 1am today. Turns out Cal probably forgot until half time.

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It seems like every opener under Wilcox, the players play like they took barbiturates for pre game warm ups.

Maybe they could market tapes of his pregame speeches as a sleep aid

LodeBear said:

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auburn 42 cal 10. cal wilts in the heat and humidity. my son and his wife will be at the game cheering them on..

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Weather forecast looks OK, high of 84F, relatively mild for the season in AL, so that's one thing we won't have to worry about.

Too many new players on the roster means a slow start, that was what we saw in the opener. Unfortunately our schedule is front-loaded, with our 3 toughest opponent scheduled in the next 4 weeks, it could get ugly at times.

If we manage to limit the injuries and start gelling we should finish the season strong against an easier late season slate and get into a bowl. Something for guys to think about in the upcoming September fan meltdowns...

Boy oh boy it is good most of you have never played football. You would all have wilted in 2 seconds on the field. Better go read your law books. With the injuries we likely have an uphill battle. Cal has enough talent when mostly healthy. I would play the odds and not play any of the injured guys and find a pathway to win 8 games. Yes we played like dogsh*t in the first half. Second half much better, This year is on the coaches more than ever. Go Bears!