Is there something that I am missing? Game seems to be a toss up.

https://gopherhole.com/boards/threads/predict-the-score-thread-minnesota-at-cal.119322/

Hi, Bears fans! Longtime Gopher fan here.

We do think there's a good chance that this is our year to shine. We have some spectacular talent on the roster, and our guys excel on the lines and in the defensive backfield, in particular. It looks like we have a very promising young QB, and our running game is always a point of pride. Bottom line, we think we have a sneaky excellent team that might surprise the know-it-alls.

So yeah, we're feeling pretty good about things. Kudos to your team if they can bring us back to earth!

Although I hate to say it, their predictions seem reasonable to me.

jy1988 said:

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Although I hate to say it, their predictions seem reasonable to me.

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Most of them are but there's also a lot that have unreasonable blowout expectations. We are not Northwestern and we have a good defense (we will miss Cade in the first half though). The Gophers are good this year, they're a dark horse for the B10CG and look really solid on both sides of the ball right now.

They haven't played anyone yet but then again we haven't really either and looked improved but not world-beaters. I think 27-24 one way or the other is reasonable. Also, no one in those fan threads predicts a loss unless they expect to be really bad or they're playing a top 5 team

The fact that they think that they will score that many points against our defense makes me think their predictions are not entirely thought out

Our defense is our strength.

You guys might win. But it won't be because of our defense

MiZery said:

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Is there something that I am missing? Game seems to be a toss up.

https://gopherhole.com/boards/threads/predict-the-score-thread-minnesota-at-cal.119322/

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I don't think that MN can score that many points. 24-17 Bears.

They should be! Our feigned lame offense played last Saturday will have lulled them into a sense of superiority before this weekend's game. All part of the intricate master plan set into motion by the genius Wilcox.

Right where we want them!!!

Yeah I agree. I would be very surprised if this Cal defense doesn't come out on fire. This defense has many potential pros. Masses and Austin are excellent at CB so far. They aren't even throwing to Paco's side. Ferrelli has been a revelation. Taggart/Buom and him should be able to keep the Gophers in check while Cade comes back for the second half.

The real question is whether this Cal offense will be able to point up points. Is Raphael our #1 RB and will be able to produce at a somewhat high level against a Big 10 defense? We really need to another WR to step up. Trond/Dejesus are solid but we need at least one more reliable WR. Hamper and a speed guy would be ideal. I think Bell will solidify the OL.

I'm thinking it will be defensive slugfest. 21-17 Bears.

MiZery said:

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Is there something that I am missing? Game seems to be a toss up.

https://gopherhole.com/boards/threads/predict-the-score-thread-minnesota-at-cal.119322/

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Did you forget who is coaching this team?

MiZery said:

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Is there something that I am missing? Game seems to be a toss up.

https://gopherhole.com/boards/threads/predict-the-score-thread-minnesota-at-cal.119322/

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The Gophers beat both UCLA and USC last year, and their fans expect their team to be better this year. We'll find out whether they are right on Saturday.

Grigsby said:

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MiZery said:

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Is there something that I am missing? Game seems to be a toss up.

https://gopherhole.com/boards/threads/predict-the-score-thread-minnesota-at-cal.119322/

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Did you forget who is coaching this team?

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Yes, Justin Wilcox, who has a 66.67% winning percentage in nonconference games.

Wilcox, more often than not, looks impressive in the 3 nonconference games to start off the year, which leads us into being confident in the team, which leads us to inevitable disappointment.

Their predictions sound exactly like the ones we make on this board. Idk what's so controversial? Even the post above from the Minnesota fan. You could literally copy and paste that from what some of our fans have said.

Everyone is confident in their team and that this is the year for a breakout. It's early in the season so everyone who's team is 2-0 right now think they have a chance. We'll see on Saturday what happens.

If I watched Cal last week, I'd feel pretty confident too lol. I'd say Cal's defense is solid but their offense can't run the ball and WRs that can't get open.

Oregon State fans were also very confident. I have respect for Minnesota but do not feel like Cal has no shot.

I think the Cal defense matches up ok with Minnesota. I am a bit more concerned with the offense vs the Minnesota defense.

They also have a RS frosh at qb making his first road start.

Cal can win this game.

JKS adjusts his accuracy and WR develop gluey hands. Defense and Special Teams are solid: Cal 35, Minn 14

Minnesota is fairly solid but Buffalo and Northwestern State? Eh hit them early and we should be fine

everybody knows my name said:

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Hi, Bears fans! Longtime Gopher fan here.

We do think there's a good chance that this is our year to shine. We have some spectacular talent on the roster, and our guys excel on the lines and in the defensive backfield, in particular. It looks like we have a very promising young QB, and our running game is always a point of pride. Bottom line, we think we have a sneaky excellent team that might surprise the know-it-alls.

So yeah, we're feeling pretty good about things. Kudos to your team if they can bring us back to earth!

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Always good to see fans from opponent schools posting here in a non-trolling way. Welcome to the board.

I remember the game AT Tennessee and one of the older fellows I met at a Vols tailgate (which we were welcomed to join just walking around) saying "We just hope your boys don't beat us up too bad." Of course, the opposite happened. It's nice when fans have humility. I think we have it in spades right now, and it's for good reason. This would be a very big win for us, and a massive confidence boost for the Bears. I'm just hoping for the best.

bearsandgiants said:

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I remember the game AT Tennessee and one of the older fellows I met at a Vols tailgate (which we were welcomed to join just walking around) saying "We just hope your boys don't beat us up too bad." Of course, the opposite happened. It's nice when fans have humility. I think we have it in spades right now, and it's for good reason. This would be a very big win for us, and a massive confidence boost for the Bears. I'm just hoping for the best.

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Sounds like the Clemson fans I chatted with before the '91 Citrus Bowl. What they said and their actual expectations for the game were completely different. (That time, we got 'em!)

Southern hospitality. Same types of guys came up to me and shook my hand, after, despite being shellshocked.

BearGoggles said:

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everybody knows my name said:

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Hi, Bears fans! Longtime Gopher fan here.

We do think there's a good chance that this is our year to shine. We have some spectacular talent on the roster, and our guys excel on the lines and in the defensive backfield, in particular. It looks like we have a very promising young QB, and our running game is always a point of pride. Bottom line, we think we have a sneaky excellent team that might surprise the know-it-alls.

So yeah, we're feeling pretty good about things. Kudos to your team if they can bring us back to earth!

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Always good to see fans from opponent schools posting here in a non-trolling way. Welcome to the board.

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I cheer for a team that was beaten by Bowling Green in 2021 as 30.5 point favorites, and to the University of the Pacific in 1986, ten years before Pacific discontinued D1 play.

I'm conditioned not to be a troll.

We belittle Minnesota's routes against two weak teams yet we did not beat that powerhouse Texas Southern by anywhere near what Minnesota did. I am taking a wait and see attitude. We aren't exactly overflowing with offensive talent and I have not been overly impressed with our OL.

MinotStateBeav said:

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If I watched Cal last week, I'd feel pretty confident too lol. I'd say Cal's defense is solid but their offense can't run the ball and WRs that can't get open.

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I feel like it's more accurate to say after watching our last game that we actually might have a running back in Raphael (131 yds, 7.3 avg) and that our WRs can get open enough but can't catch.

I work for a company based in Minneapolis. We have a lot of Gophers in our ranks. Lovely people. The usual question always arises when taking to someone in Minnesota. How do you endure the winters? Their answer is almost always we don't endure them, we take advantage of them. There is a ton of positivity in Minnesota. I wouldn't misinterpret the positivity for confidence. They know who they are, as we should. I just hope I don't have to endure next week where I'm hearing about the game because we lost.

Plus they gave us Tim Walz. Can't hate them for that.

Fans are always confident. I like Minn though, similar type of program like Cal where they can not and will not ever compete at the highest level but can occasionally have good teams that can win 9-10 games. No idea how good either team really is though given the opponents.

Plus, the $50 million more is tv money than Berkeley receives, mellows them.

Did Eric Decker ever recover from the Sean Cattouse hit? His kids have to have come out bruised. Need to the scoreboard to show that video on Saturday.

MiZery said:

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The fact that they think that they will score that many points against our defense makes me think their predictions are not entirely thought out

Our defense is our strength.

You guys might win. But it won't be because of our defense

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There was one guy near the top that predicted they put 52 on us. That was ridiculous. Beyond that, though, the predictions seem to hover around high 20's low 30's. I think they are optimistic fans, not more outlandish than our fans will be on this board.

We gave up 30 or more 4 times last year. Every team we held under 30 last year sucked except for UNLV. An optimistic fan should think they will score 28 or so, even if 21-24 would be more reasonable.