A fun, knowledgeable, and sarcastic review. But worried about them rising up against our Bears.

Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

This will be a great test for us. Old Cal would figure out a way to lose this game. Hoping New Cal figures out a way to win. We have the talent to beat FSU even if they play better than they have, but we have to be consistent and avoid making mistakes.

What percentage of players did OSU turn over now that they are not in a big conference?

BTW, I love the state of Oregon. Had a great time there three months ago in visiting Bend. Stayed in a great resort, ten miles west of town, that had a great golf course and pool complex. I guess I stayed in an AirBnb rental.

Downtown Bend is a perfect place to visit and a bit upscale. Love the park just outside of town where people can "surf" on the rivier.

I will be watching to see if eastern Oregon splits off and becomes a part of Idaho to match Idaho's politics though I know that's just a simplistic take on the entire issues involved. Oregon is a great state if you exclude what goes on in Portland.

Gobears49 said:

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What percentage of players did OSU turn over now that they are not in a big conference?

BTW, I love the state of Oregon. Had a great time there three months ago in visiting Bend. Stayed in a great resort, ten miles west of town, that had a great golf course and pool complex. I guess I stayed in an AirBnb rental.

Downtown Bend is a perfect place to visit and a bit upscale. Love the park just outside of town where people can "surf" on the rivier.

I will be watching to see if eastern Oregon splits off and becomes a part of Idaho to match Idaho's politics though I know that's just a simplistic take on the entire issues involved. Oregon is a great state if you exclude what goes on in Portland.

---

Thanks - I was wondering what led to FSU's early season collapse. Your random observations on the state of Oregon really put it all in perspective.

The Noles O-line has played terrible, if they play well and give DJU time going to be a different team. We need to play cleaner football to win. Also Bend Golf Courses Hit! Sunriver, Pronghorn, Tetherow, all the public courses are great.

~ recent apt twit comment 'FSU, probably Calahaasy aswell, *are* the Berkeley socially, the Austin culturally , of The South, south of Rutgers, Maryland, UMass-Amhearst*' - rock on

Gobears49 said:

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What percentage of players did OSU turn over now that they are not in a big conference?

BTW, I love the state of Oregon. Had a great time there three months ago in visiting Bend. Stayed in a great resort, ten miles west of town, that had a great golf course and pool complex. I guess I stayed in an AirBnb rental.

Downtown Bend is a perfect place to visit and a bit upscale. Love the park just outside of town where people can "surf" on the rivier.

I will be watching to see if eastern Oregon splits off and becomes a part of Idaho to match Idaho's politics though I know that's just a simplistic take on the entire issues involved. Oregon is a great state if you exclude what goes on in Portland.

---

Sunriver?

This is my 45th year as a Cal football fan. This game makes me nervous. Please don't let this be a break out game for Florida and make thier QB look like a Heisman candidate.

"Ten miles west of town" was probably Widgi Creek. (Inn of the Seventh Mountain for those who haven't visited Bend in three decades.)

oregoncalbear said:

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Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

72CalBear said:

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oregoncalbear said:

---

Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

MrGPAC said:

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72CalBear said:

---

oregoncalbear said:

---

Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

I can subscribe to the idea that we haven't opened our playbook fully because we've been waiting for in-conference play, or that some parts of our full playbook work best with a player like Ott.

If Ott is probable and truly better than he was at Auburn (hopefully 100% or close to that) and since FSU kicks off our ACC slate then I would hope that we are putting everything on the table.

GoOskie said:

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This is my 45th year as a Cal football fan. This game makes me nervous. Please don't let this be a break out game for Florida and make thier QB look like a Heisman candidate.

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1980 was my freshman year and my first year as a Cal fan too.

StillNoStanfurdium said:

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MrGPAC said:

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72CalBear said:

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oregoncalbear said:

---

Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

I can subscribe to the idea that we haven't opened our playbook fully because we've been waiting for in-conference play, or that some parts of our full playbook work best with a player like Ott.

If Ott is probable and truly better than he was at Auburn (hopefully 100% or close to that) and since FSU kicks off our ACC slate then I would hope that we are putting everything on the table.

---

We have yet to get the ball to The Jet or a healthy Ott outside. We have been very vanilla on offense. Very little misdirection (play action has worked almost every time) , but it will really be needed against this big FSU front 7. We need to get big bodies running sideline to sideline and better, initially in the wrong direction. We need Bloesch to call a great game and we need Fernando to continue with his good ball security.
Turnover margin has determined the outcome of the last 16 Cal games (probably further back than that). We need Fernando to stay cool and make good decisions when the initial look isn't there and protection breaks down.

calumnus said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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MrGPAC said:

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72CalBear said:

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oregoncalbear said:

---

Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

I can subscribe to the idea that we haven't opened our playbook fully because we've been waiting for in-conference play, or that some parts of our full playbook work best with a player like Ott.

If Ott is probable and truly better than he was at Auburn (hopefully 100% or close to that) and since FSU kicks off our ACC slate then I would hope that we are putting everything on the table.

---

We have yet to get the ball to The Jet or a healthy Ott outside. We have been very vanilla on offense. Very little misdirection (play action has worked almost every time) , but it will really be needed against this big FSU front 7. We need to get big bodies running sideline to sideline and better, initially in the wrong direction. We need Bloesch to call a great game and we need Fernando to continue with his good ball security.
Turnover margin has determined the outcome of the last 16 Cal games (probably further back than that). We need Fernando to stay cool and make good decisions when the initial look isn't there and protection breaks down.

---

We have gotten them the ball outside.

oski003 said:

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calumnus said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

---

MrGPAC said:

---

72CalBear said:

---

oregoncalbear said:

---

Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

I can subscribe to the idea that we haven't opened our playbook fully because we've been waiting for in-conference play, or that some parts of our full playbook work best with a player like Ott.

If Ott is probable and truly better than he was at Auburn (hopefully 100% or close to that) and since FSU kicks off our ACC slate then I would hope that we are putting everything on the table.

---

We have yet to get the ball to The Jet or a healthy Ott outside. We have been very vanilla on offense. Very little misdirection (play action has worked almost every time) , but it will really be needed against this big FSU front 7. We need to get big bodies running sideline to sideline and better, initially in the wrong direction. We need Bloesch to call a great game and we need Fernando to continue with his good ball security.
Turnover margin has determined the outcome of the last 16 Cal games (probably further back than that). We need Fernando to stay cool and make good decisions when the initial look isn't there and protection breaks down.

---

We have gotten them the ball outside.

---

Mostly a RB bounced outside when the hole wasn't there , or a slow developing sweep behind pulling guards, not a quick pitch to the edge to utilize their speed. And certainly not consistently. It needs to be our bread and butter, not a play that you can say "We DID do that once against San Diego State."

ACC PM has picked CAL to beat Florida ST. They are giving us lots of love. I'm with them!

calumnus said:

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oski003 said:

---

calumnus said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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MrGPAC said:

---

72CalBear said:

---

oregoncalbear said:

---

Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

I can subscribe to the idea that we haven't opened our playbook fully because we've been waiting for in-conference play, or that some parts of our full playbook work best with a player like Ott.

If Ott is probable and truly better than he was at Auburn (hopefully 100% or close to that) and since FSU kicks off our ACC slate then I would hope that we are putting everything on the table.

---

We have yet to get the ball to The Jet or a healthy Ott outside. We have been very vanilla on offense. Very little misdirection (play action has worked almost every time) , but it will really be needed against this big FSU front 7. We need to get big bodies running sideline to sideline and better, initially in the wrong direction. We need Bloesch to call a great game and we need Fernando to continue with his good ball security.
Turnover margin has determined the outcome of the last 16 Cal games (probably further back than that). We need Fernando to stay cool and make good decisions when the initial look isn't there and protection breaks down.

---

We have gotten them the ball outside.

---

Mostly a RB bounced outside when the hole wasn't there , or a slow developing sweep behind pulling guards, not a quick pitch to the edge to utilize their speed. And certainly not consistently. It needs to be our bread and butter, not a play that you can say "We DID do that once against San Diego State."

---

I don't believe we have done a pitch play outside to either of them. Your statement is true when you sufficiently narrow it. Your earlier statement was incredibly false.

calumnus said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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MrGPAC said:

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72CalBear said:

---

oregoncalbear said:

---

Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

I can subscribe to the idea that we haven't opened our playbook fully because we've been waiting for in-conference play, or that some parts of our full playbook work best with a player like Ott.

If Ott is probable and truly better than he was at Auburn (hopefully 100% or close to that) and since FSU kicks off our ACC slate then I would hope that we are putting everything on the table.

---

We have yet to get the ball to The Jet or a healthy Ott outside. We have been very vanilla on offense. Very little misdirection (play action has worked almost every time) , but it will really be needed against this big FSU front 7. We need to get big bodies running sideline to sideline and better, initially in the wrong direction. We need Bloesch to call a great game and we need Fernando to continue with his good ball security.
Turnover margin has determined the outcome of the last 16 Cal games (probably further back than that). We need Fernando to stay cool and make good decisions when the initial look isn't there and protection breaks down.

---

Agreed!

oski003 said:

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calumnus said:

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oski003 said:

---

calumnus said:

---

StillNoStanfurdium said:

---

MrGPAC said:

---

72CalBear said:

---

oregoncalbear said:

---

Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

I can subscribe to the idea that we haven't opened our playbook fully because we've been waiting for in-conference play, or that some parts of our full playbook work best with a player like Ott.

If Ott is probable and truly better than he was at Auburn (hopefully 100% or close to that) and since FSU kicks off our ACC slate then I would hope that we are putting everything on the table.

---

We have yet to get the ball to The Jet or a healthy Ott outside. We have been very vanilla on offense. Very little misdirection (play action has worked almost every time) , but it will really be needed against this big FSU front 7. We need to get big bodies running sideline to sideline and better, initially in the wrong direction. We need Bloesch to call a great game and we need Fernando to continue with his good ball security.
Turnover margin has determined the outcome of the last 16 Cal games (probably further back than that). We need Fernando to stay cool and make good decisions when the initial look isn't there and protection breaks down.

---

We have gotten them the ball outside.

---

Mostly a RB bounced outside when the hole wasn't there , or a slow developing sweep behind pulling guards, not a quick pitch to the edge to utilize their speed. And certainly not consistently. It needs to be our bread and butter, not a play that you can say "We DID do that once against San Diego State."

---

I don't believe we have done a pitch play outside to either of them. Your statement is true when you sufficiently narrow it. Your earlier statement was incredibly false.

---

The vast majority of the RB plays this year have been runs up the middle. On occasion, the RB will take a hole he sees on the outside the tackle, but I'm not sure the play was designed that way. Jaydn's a very patient runner, so he's followed his blockers i to the middle of the line, as per the play design, and...gotten stuffed repeatedly. Jet isn't as patient, when he sees a hole, he takes off. From what I remember, it's primarily Jet who's bounced outside after seeing a lane open up.

Bloesch needs to call plays that make use of J&J's great speed. Line Jet up as a receiver and put him in motion on some plays. Have Nando line up in shotgun and pull the defense toward him only to pitch to Jet or Jaydn on the outside. Design a RB dumpoff play based on Nando's improvised dumpoff that didn't quite work. Do something other than just run Cal's speedy RBs into a wall of bodies in the clogged middle of the field.

NUKE'M NANDO!

01Bear said:

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oski003 said:

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calumnus said:

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oski003 said:

---

calumnus said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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MrGPAC said:

---

72CalBear said:

---

oregoncalbear said:

---

Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

I can subscribe to the idea that we haven't opened our playbook fully because we've been waiting for in-conference play, or that some parts of our full playbook work best with a player like Ott.

If Ott is probable and truly better than he was at Auburn (hopefully 100% or close to that) and since FSU kicks off our ACC slate then I would hope that we are putting everything on the table.

---

We have yet to get the ball to The Jet or a healthy Ott outside. We have been very vanilla on offense. Very little misdirection (play action has worked almost every time) , but it will really be needed against this big FSU front 7. We need to get big bodies running sideline to sideline and better, initially in the wrong direction. We need Bloesch to call a great game and we need Fernando to continue with his good ball security.
Turnover margin has determined the outcome of the last 16 Cal games (probably further back than that). We need Fernando to stay cool and make good decisions when the initial look isn't there and protection breaks down.

---

We have gotten them the ball outside.

---

Mostly a RB bounced outside when the hole wasn't there , or a slow developing sweep behind pulling guards, not a quick pitch to the edge to utilize their speed. And certainly not consistently. It needs to be our bread and butter, not a play that you can say "We DID do that once against San Diego State."

---

I don't believe we have done a pitch play outside to either of them. Your statement is true when you sufficiently narrow it. Your earlier statement was incredibly false.

---

The vast majority of the RB plays this year have been runs up the middle. On occasion, the RB will take a hole he sees on the outside the tackle, but I'm not sure the play was designed that way. Jaydn's a very patient runner, so he's followed his blockers i to the middle of the line, as per the play design, and...gotten stuffed repeatedly. Jet isn't as patient, when he sees a hole, he takes off. From what I remember, it's primarily Jet who's bounced outside after seeing a lane open up.

Bloesch needs to call plays that make use of J&J's great speed. Line Jet up as a receiver and put him in motion on some plays. Have Nando line up in shotgun and pull the defense toward him only to pitch to Jet or Jaydn on the outside. Design a RB dumpoff play based on Nando's improvised dumpoff that didn't quite work. Do something other than just run Cal's speedy RBs into a wall of bodies in the clogged middle of the field.

---

Maybe Bloesch is thinking….if we cant block basic run up the gut, or…if we cannot even execute a simple WR screen…

I think the playbook has been vanilla because our players are still learning this offense, and we have to dumb it down because we have players who has never played their positions in the OL before. There is no reason to believe that, in a 1 score game against Auburn, we didn't pull out all the stops as posters suggested

TedfordTheGreat said:

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01Bear said:

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oski003 said:

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calumnus said:

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oski003 said:

---

calumnus said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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MrGPAC said:

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72CalBear said:

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oregoncalbear said:

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Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

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I can subscribe to the idea that we haven't opened our playbook fully because we've been waiting for in-conference play, or that some parts of our full playbook work best with a player like Ott.

If Ott is probable and truly better than he was at Auburn (hopefully 100% or close to that) and since FSU kicks off our ACC slate then I would hope that we are putting everything on the table.

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We have yet to get the ball to The Jet or a healthy Ott outside. We have been very vanilla on offense. Very little misdirection (play action has worked almost every time) , but it will really be needed against this big FSU front 7. We need to get big bodies running sideline to sideline and better, initially in the wrong direction. We need Bloesch to call a great game and we need Fernando to continue with his good ball security.
Turnover margin has determined the outcome of the last 16 Cal games (probably further back than that). We need Fernando to stay cool and make good decisions when the initial look isn't there and protection breaks down.

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We have gotten them the ball outside.

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Mostly a RB bounced outside when the hole wasn't there , or a slow developing sweep behind pulling guards, not a quick pitch to the edge to utilize their speed. And certainly not consistently. It needs to be our bread and butter, not a play that you can say "We DID do that once against San Diego State."

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I don't believe we have done a pitch play outside to either of them. Your statement is true when you sufficiently narrow it. Your earlier statement was incredibly false.

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The vast majority of the RB plays this year have been runs up the middle. On occasion, the RB will take a hole he sees on the outside the tackle, but I'm not sure the play was designed that way. Jaydn's a very patient runner, so he's followed his blockers i to the middle of the line, as per the play design, and...gotten stuffed repeatedly. Jet isn't as patient, when he sees a hole, he takes off. From what I remember, it's primarily Jet who's bounced outside after seeing a lane open up.

Bloesch needs to call plays that make use of J&J's great speed. Line Jet up as a receiver and put him in motion on some plays. Have Nando line up in shotgun and pull the defense toward him only to pitch to Jet or Jaydn on the outside. Design a RB dumpoff play based on Nando's improvised dumpoff that didn't quite work. Do something other than just run Cal's speedy RBs into a wall of bodies in the clogged middle of the field.

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Maybe Bloesch is thinking….if we cant block basic run up the gut, or…if we cannot even execute a simple WR screen…

I think the playbook has been vanilla because our players are still learning this offense, and we have to dumb it down because we have players who has never played their positions in the OL before. There is no reason to believe that, in a 1 score game against Auburn, we didn't pull out all the stops as posters suggested

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I sure hope that is not what he is thinking. Having a patchwork OL is MORE reason NOT to run up the gut (putting more pressure in the center) and MORE reason to have the RB sprint to the edge where the OL is almost irrelevant to the play.

The WR blocking has been good, but there are other/better ways to have WRs open up outside lanes for the RB:

calumnus said:

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TedfordTheGreat said:

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01Bear said:

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oski003 said:

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calumnus said:

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oski003 said:

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calumnus said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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MrGPAC said:

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72CalBear said:

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oregoncalbear said:

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Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

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Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

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Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

I can subscribe to the idea that we haven't opened our playbook fully because we've been waiting for in-conference play, or that some parts of our full playbook work best with a player like Ott.

If Ott is probable and truly better than he was at Auburn (hopefully 100% or close to that) and since FSU kicks off our ACC slate then I would hope that we are putting everything on the table.

---

We have yet to get the ball to The Jet or a healthy Ott outside. We have been very vanilla on offense. Very little misdirection (play action has worked almost every time) , but it will really be needed against this big FSU front 7. We need to get big bodies running sideline to sideline and better, initially in the wrong direction. We need Bloesch to call a great game and we need Fernando to continue with his good ball security.
Turnover margin has determined the outcome of the last 16 Cal games (probably further back than that). We need Fernando to stay cool and make good decisions when the initial look isn't there and protection breaks down.

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We have gotten them the ball outside.

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Mostly a RB bounced outside when the hole wasn't there , or a slow developing sweep behind pulling guards, not a quick pitch to the edge to utilize their speed. And certainly not consistently. It needs to be our bread and butter, not a play that you can say "We DID do that once against San Diego State."

---

I don't believe we have done a pitch play outside to either of them. Your statement is true when you sufficiently narrow it. Your earlier statement was incredibly false.

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The vast majority of the RB plays this year have been runs up the middle. On occasion, the RB will take a hole he sees on the outside the tackle, but I'm not sure the play was designed that way. Jaydn's a very patient runner, so he's followed his blockers i to the middle of the line, as per the play design, and...gotten stuffed repeatedly. Jet isn't as patient, when he sees a hole, he takes off. From what I remember, it's primarily Jet who's bounced outside after seeing a lane open up.

Bloesch needs to call plays that make use of J&J's great speed. Line Jet up as a receiver and put him in motion on some plays. Have Nando line up in shotgun and pull the defense toward him only to pitch to Jet or Jaydn on the outside. Design a RB dumpoff play based on Nando's improvised dumpoff that didn't quite work. Do something other than just run Cal's speedy RBs into a wall of bodies in the clogged middle of the field.

---

Maybe Bloesch is thinking….if we cant block basic run up the gut, or…if we cannot even execute a simple WR screen…

I think the playbook has been vanilla because our players are still learning this offense, and we have to dumb it down because we have players who has never played their positions in the OL before. There is no reason to believe that, in a 1 score game against Auburn, we didn't pull out all the stops as posters suggested

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I sure hope that is not what he is thinking. Having a patchwork OL is MORE reason NOT to run up the gut (putting more pressure in the center) and MORE reason to have the RB sprint to the edge where the OL is almost irrelevant to the play.

The WR blocking has been good, but there are other/better ways to have WRs open up outside lanes for the RB:

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keep in mind, we were struggling handling a basic snap against auburn. By my count, at least 33% of the snaps were high. So… again…if we are struggling with the most basic aspect of the game, maybe the playbook is limited.

Now if your suggestion is that if we run at all we run outside, then i wont argue. But my point is that the playbook was limited

TedfordTheGreat said:

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calumnus said:

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TedfordTheGreat said:

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01Bear said:

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oski003 said:

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calumnus said:

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oski003 said:

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calumnus said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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MrGPAC said:

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72CalBear said:

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oregoncalbear said:

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Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

I can subscribe to the idea that we haven't opened our playbook fully because we've been waiting for in-conference play, or that some parts of our full playbook work best with a player like Ott.

If Ott is probable and truly better than he was at Auburn (hopefully 100% or close to that) and since FSU kicks off our ACC slate then I would hope that we are putting everything on the table.

---

We have yet to get the ball to The Jet or a healthy Ott outside. We have been very vanilla on offense. Very little misdirection (play action has worked almost every time) , but it will really be needed against this big FSU front 7. We need to get big bodies running sideline to sideline and better, initially in the wrong direction. We need Bloesch to call a great game and we need Fernando to continue with his good ball security.
Turnover margin has determined the outcome of the last 16 Cal games (probably further back than that). We need Fernando to stay cool and make good decisions when the initial look isn't there and protection breaks down.

---

We have gotten them the ball outside.

---

Mostly a RB bounced outside when the hole wasn't there , or a slow developing sweep behind pulling guards, not a quick pitch to the edge to utilize their speed. And certainly not consistently. It needs to be our bread and butter, not a play that you can say "We DID do that once against San Diego State."

---

I don't believe we have done a pitch play outside to either of them. Your statement is true when you sufficiently narrow it. Your earlier statement was incredibly false.

---

The vast majority of the RB plays this year have been runs up the middle. On occasion, the RB will take a hole he sees on the outside the tackle, but I'm not sure the play was designed that way. Jaydn's a very patient runner, so he's followed his blockers i to the middle of the line, as per the play design, and...gotten stuffed repeatedly. Jet isn't as patient, when he sees a hole, he takes off. From what I remember, it's primarily Jet who's bounced outside after seeing a lane open up.

Bloesch needs to call plays that make use of J&J's great speed. Line Jet up as a receiver and put him in motion on some plays. Have Nando line up in shotgun and pull the defense toward him only to pitch to Jet or Jaydn on the outside. Design a RB dumpoff play based on Nando's improvised dumpoff that didn't quite work. Do something other than just run Cal's speedy RBs into a wall of bodies in the clogged middle of the field.

---

Maybe Bloesch is thinking….if we cant block basic run up the gut, or…if we cannot even execute a simple WR screen…

I think the playbook has been vanilla because our players are still learning this offense, and we have to dumb it down because we have players who has never played their positions in the OL before. There is no reason to believe that, in a 1 score game against Auburn, we didn't pull out all the stops as posters suggested

---

I sure hope that is not what he is thinking. Having a patchwork OL is MORE reason NOT to run up the gut (putting more pressure in the center) and MORE reason to have the RB sprint to the edge where the OL is almost irrelevant to the play.

The WR blocking has been good, but there are other/better ways to have WRs open up outside lanes for the RB:

---

keep in mind, we were struggling handling a basic snap against auburn. By my count, at least 33% of the snaps were high. So… again…if we are struggling with the most basic aspect of the game, maybe the playbook is limited.

Now if your suggestion is that if we run at all we run outside, then i wont argue. But my point is that the playbook was limited

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I didn't say ALL the runs outside. Again, if the center is struggling to make a snap, why have all of our runs be predictable runs up the middle where the center has to immediately take on the oncoming defensive front 7 after the snap? That is just not smart.

And Bloesch was the OL coach last year and the OC for 10 months and the prior three games. That excuse might be plausible for the bowl game last December, but he had Spring and Fall camps to implement his offense. All I am talking about is a simple pitch play. No pulling, the RB just uses his speed to beat the defense to the edge. It is basic.

MrGPAC said:

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72CalBear said:

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oregoncalbear said:

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Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

Against Davis and SDSU, the strength of the roster becomes apparent in the 2nd half. That's what I see. Basically, their roster isn't as deep and players eventually tire out and things begin to give which is why you see the run games become more productive later on. Also, Bloesch has adjusted the packages he's putting in to take advantage of this.

Auburn is the outlier. Mendoza clearly had perfectly executed the script they had for the offense those first couple of drives. Kudos to Bloesch for drawing it up too. Auburn defense adjusted so we had to adjust to those adjustments into the 4th quarter.


Against FSU, we can't depend on capitulation in the 2nd half if it's close because they had a deep roster. It will half to be something else like a score disparity, lack of teamwork, turnovers that take the air out of their tires. Ideally, Mendoza starts out quickly like he did against Auburn strike first and dictate the tone of the game. Make them earn everything. Clearly, they'll be blitzing early and often and testing our ability to handle them.

My fiftieth year and every Cal football game makes me nervous.....until we are ahead with 0:00 left to play.

Grrrrah76 said:

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My fiftieth year and every Cal football game makes me nervous.....until we are ahead with 0:00 left to play.

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And the ball is dead with the other team unable to get another play.

freshfunk said:

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MrGPAC said:

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72CalBear said:

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oregoncalbear said:

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Honestly we are playing well but not exactly lighting it up. We have had some big breaks in our games. We need our offense to improve and be consistent to win.

---

Correct in my mind. Struggled with UCD and to an extent SD State. Auburn handed us the game with interceptions. Consistent 4 quarters will be needed to consider winning.

---

Anyone else get the feeling we are kinda pulling the punches on offense some still? Wilcox likes close games and he likes letting his defense shine...but our offense seems to score at will when it needs to.

UC Davis was a closer game than it needed to be, but Cal trailed in the game at only 1 point: UC Davis went up 13-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Cal scored 11 seconds later on the kickoff to go up 14-13 and never trailed again.

Vs Auburn Cal was trailing 7-0. The next possession they went 75 yards on 8 plays to tie it. The next drive they drove down and missed a short field goal, and the possession after that was a touch down. They never trailed again.

Vs San Diego State Cal seemingly couldn't move the ball *at all* in the first quarter. Until San Diego State scored a field goal. After that cal marched down the field to go up 7-3 and never trailed again.

In short, Cal has never trailed for more than one possession this year. Other than when the score is 0-0, they have moved the ball at will when tied or down.

Granted, our competition has had something to do with that....but when we are up there have been several occasions where our offense stalled / couldn't get going. The second we go down or need a score a switch has been flipped.

---

Against Davis and SDSU, the strength of the roster becomes apparent in the 2nd half. That's what I see. Basically, their roster isn't as deep and players eventually tire out and things begin to give which is why you see the run games become more productive later on. Also, Bloesch has adjusted the packages he's putting in to take advantage of this.

Auburn is the outlier. Mendoza clearly had perfectly executed the script they had for the offense those first couple of drives. Kudos to Bloesch for drawing it up too. Auburn defense adjusted so we had to adjust to those adjustments into the 4th quarter.


Against FSU, we can't depend on capitulation in the 2nd half if it's close because they had a deep roster. It will half to be something else like a score disparity, lack of teamwork, turnovers that take the air out of their tires. Ideally, Mendoza starts out quickly like he did against Auburn strike first and dictate the tone of the game. Make them earn everything. Clearly, they'll be blitzing early and often and testing our ability to handle them.

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Heavy dose of play action passing from the get go. Mendoza is money on the mid-range throws. Misdirection. Take advantage of their aggressiveness, get them going in the wrong direction, tire them out. Get them back on back on their heels.