this isn't true. We can, and have, competed at the highest level. And we're attempting to once again. If you can't, ever, there's no point in playing the game.falseintellect said:
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.
Minnesota fans are really confident about this weekend.
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bearsandgiants said:falseintellect said:
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.
this isn't true. We can, and have, competed at the highest level. And we're attempting to once again. If you can't, ever, there's no point in playing the game.
Of course every player wants to compete at the highest level, but the vast majority are at least somewhat realistic. If that's all you want, you're going to be a sorry hombre. People play for the team-ship, the hitting (yes, many welcome a good hit), helping on a play that works, the physical fitness, etc.
You've got to have competition, though. That's the primary way that you improve. If all you get are participation trophies, there's no incentive to get better. That goes for most everything in life.
bearsandgiants said:this isn't true. We can, and have, competed at the highest level. And we're attempting to once again. If you can't, ever, there's no point in playing the game.falseintellect said:
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.
If you read through their forum, some of them are aware
https://gopherhole.com/boards/threads/last-series-with-cal.119329/
I'm probably a pretty typical Minnesota fan. I predicted a two score victory on the Gopherhole score-pick thread. That prediction had nothing to do with confidence. I wouldn't be surprised if the Gophers lose to Cal. During the offseason, it appeared as though the Gophers have enough back, coupled with a manageable B1G schedule to be good this season. So those in the know were quietly optimistic about the season. So much would depend on the play of the redshirt freshman QB. I kept telling friends that if the QB was better than expected, there would be a potential of 10-2 with a floor of 8-4. If he turned out to be shaky, 6-6 was a real possibility with a ceiling of 7-5 or if lucky 8-4. With a sample size of only two games (against substandard competition), he has looked really good.
After hearing all the reports of Cal's transfers and learning there would be a true freshman at QB, I may have been confident about this game 4 weeks ago. But now, not so much. I can easily see a situation where the young Gopher QB lays an egg in front of a hostile crowd and the Gophers get humbled by a fired up Cal team QB'd by a hot freshman that is growing by the week.
So in typical MN fan mind set, I think the Gophers should win in a non-blowout but comfortable score. That shouldn't be confused with not being surprised in the least if Cal wins the game. They are a power conference team that has some very encouraging players on their roster that have looked great early. Any MN fan assuming this would be an easy game hasn't been a MN fan very long. There is no way any MN fan could be overconfident about this. There really isn't an outcome (except maybe a blowout either way) that would surprise me.
By the way, the Gophers went 11-2 a few years back under Fleck and that team took 2 OT's and a miraculous 4th down TD to beat Fresno State, and needed a frantic final drive to overcome Georgia Southern including a 3rd and 20 and 4th and 12 deep in our own territory this point in that season. Going in, I would have been far more surprised at a loss in either of those games than I would dropping one to Cal now.
I think it is human nature as a fan to pay more attention to the reported flaws of an opponent than to the potential problems with the local team.
After hearing all the reports of Cal's transfers and learning there would be a true freshman at QB, I may have been confident about this game 4 weeks ago. But now, not so much. I can easily see a situation where the young Gopher QB lays an egg in front of a hostile crowd and the Gophers get humbled by a fired up Cal team QB'd by a hot freshman that is growing by the week.
So in typical MN fan mind set, I think the Gophers should win in a non-blowout but comfortable score. That shouldn't be confused with not being surprised in the least if Cal wins the game. They are a power conference team that has some very encouraging players on their roster that have looked great early. Any MN fan assuming this would be an easy game hasn't been a MN fan very long. There is no way any MN fan could be overconfident about this. There really isn't an outcome (except maybe a blowout either way) that would surprise me.
By the way, the Gophers went 11-2 a few years back under Fleck and that team took 2 OT's and a miraculous 4th down TD to beat Fresno State, and needed a frantic final drive to overcome Georgia Southern including a 3rd and 20 and 4th and 12 deep in our own territory this point in that season. Going in, I would have been far more surprised at a loss in either of those games than I would dropping one to Cal now.
I think it is human nature as a fan to pay more attention to the reported flaws of an opponent than to the potential problems with the local team.
Im still struggling to find the issue here. After reading more of their forum, their fans seem… humble. Like sure many of them are predicting wins with some occasionally trash talking us, but there's also a good number of them saying they cant sleep on us and some predicting we will win. It's honestly one of the nicer boards Ive seen.
I rarely go to Gopher Hole anymore as I've found better options for Minnesota Gophers Forums. On 247 I'd say most fans are confident but reasonable. It's hard to get many data points for most teams by Week 3. I can tell you what I think so far. I think the RS Freshman QB Lindsey looks impressive early on. I think the defense will be pretty good if they stay healthy and it starts up front. Against an outmanned NW State, they played the most flawless first half of football I've seen in the Fleck Era. The starting QB was done for the day midway through the 2nd quarter. They statistically dominated Buffalo the week before when everyone in CFB is getting their sea legs and ran out the final 9:30 running the ball and taking a knee. I think Cal will be a challenge. Vegas has MN as slight favorite with the line getting tighter in anticipation the Gophers RB1 won't play. I think MN is in that 25-40 range and Cal is somewhere about 40-60, maybe slightly better. Given location, time, opponent it will be a good test. I think MN comes out 1-2 scores on to but nothing really surprises me anymore. A timely turnover or 2 or a key injury and it could be flip flopped for you guys.
MiZery said:
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/
Most Oregon State fans thought our game was a W. That said this will be a step up in competition from the first two weeks, and I hope we are up to task. The description of the team from the Gopher fan sounds like us.
MilleniaBear said:
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.
Decker (Rocori High School, U of Minnesota) turned out to be, statistically, the second best WR ever produced by the state of Minnesota, after Adam Thielen (Detroit Lakes High School, Mankato State University).
NFL stats:
Decker: 439 catches, 5816 yards, 13.2 ypc, 53 TD
Thielen: 685 catches, 8311 yards, 12.1 ypc, 64 TD
It's possible cal may lose, but anyone expecting a 2 score loss might be disappointed.
Since 2000, cal has only lost twice by two scores at home in a non conference game. It happened twice in 2013, to a 1 win cal team (losses to ranked northwestern and Ohio state).
Other than that, it's never happened in the last 25 years.
Since 2000, cal has only lost twice by two scores at home in a non conference game. It happened twice in 2013, to a 1 win cal team (losses to ranked northwestern and Ohio state).
Other than that, it's never happened in the last 25 years.
Schnauzer said:
I'm probably a pretty typical Minnesota fan. I predicted a two score victory on the Gopherhole score-pick thread. That prediction had nothing to do with confidence. I wouldn't be surprised if the Gophers lose to Cal. During the offseason, it appeared as though the Gophers have enough back, coupled with a manageable B1G schedule to be good this season. So those in the know were quietly optimistic about the season. So much would depend on the play of the redshirt freshman QB. I kept telling friends that if the QB was better than expected, there would be a potential of 10-2 with a floor of 8-4. If he turned out to be shaky, 6-6 was a real possibility with a ceiling of 7-5 or if lucky 8-4. With a sample size of only two games (against substandard competition), he has looked really good.
After hearing all the reports of Cal's transfers and learning there would be a true freshman at QB, I may have been confident about this game 4 weeks ago. But now, not so much. I can easily see a situation where the young Gopher QB lays an egg in front of a hostile crowd and the Gophers get humbled by a fired up Cal team QB'd by a hot freshman that is growing by the week.
So in typical MN fan mind set, I think the Gophers should win in a non-blowout but comfortable score. That shouldn't be confused with not being surprised in the least if Cal wins the game. They are a power conference team that has some very encouraging players on their roster that have looked great early. Any MN fan assuming this would be an easy game hasn't been a MN fan very long. There is no way any MN fan could be overconfident about this. There really isn't an outcome (except maybe a blowout either way) that would surprise me.
By the way, the Gophers went 11-2 a few years back under Fleck and that team took 2 OT's and a miraculous 4th down TD to beat Fresno State, and needed a frantic final drive to overcome Georgia Southern including a 3rd and 20 and 4th and 12 deep in our own territory this point in that season. Going in, I would have been far more surprised at a loss in either of those games than I would dropping one to Cal now.
I think it is human nature as a fan to pay more attention to the reported flaws of an opponent than to the potential problems with the local team.
Appreciate your comments and you sound very much like a Cal fan who has experienced lots of ups and downs! What are the odds of your RB1 playing Saturday? The video didn't look good on his Hammy. And we are missing our stud ILB for the first half due to a targeting call.
TimBrewsterSucks said:
I rarely go to Gopher Hole anymore as I've found better options for Minnesota Gophers Forums. On 247 I'd say most fans are confident but reasonable. It's hard to get many data points for most teams by Week 3. I can tell you what I think so far. I think the RS Freshman QB Lindsey looks impressive early on. I think the defense will be pretty good if they stay healthy and it starts up front. Against an outmanned NW State, they played the most flawless first half of football I've seen in the Fleck Era. The starting QB was done for the day midway through the 2nd quarter. They statistically dominated Buffalo the week before when everyone in CFB is getting their sea legs and ran out the final 9:30 running the ball and taking a knee. I think Cal will be a challenge. Vegas has MN as slight favorite with the line getting tighter in anticipation the Gophers RB1 won't play. I think MN is in that 25-40 range and Cal is somewhere about 40-60, maybe slightly better. Given location, time, opponent it will be a good test. I think MN comes out 1-2 scores on to but nothing really surprises me anymore. A timely turnover or 2 or a key injury and it could be flip flopped for you guys.
the MN qb has never faced our D. How that goes will decide the game.
Schnauzer said:
I'm probably a pretty typical Minnesota fan. I predicted a two score victory on the Gopherhole score-pick thread. That prediction had nothing to do with confidence. I wouldn't be surprised if the Gophers lose to Cal. During the offseason, it appeared as though the Gophers have enough back, coupled with a manageable B1G schedule to be good this season. So those in the know were quietly optimistic about the season. So much would depend on the play of the redshirt freshman QB. I kept telling friends that if the QB was better than expected, there would be a potential of 10-2 with a floor of 8-4. If he turned out to be shaky, 6-6 was a real possibility with a ceiling of 7-5 or if lucky 8-4. With a sample size of only two games (against substandard competition), he has looked really good.
After hearing all the reports of Cal's transfers and learning there would be a true freshman at QB, I may have been confident about this game 4 weeks ago. But now, not so much. I can easily see a situation where the young Gopher QB lays an egg in front of a hostile crowd and the Gophers get humbled by a fired up Cal team QB'd by a hot freshman that is growing by the week.
So in typical MN fan mind set, I think the Gophers should win in a non-blowout but comfortable score. That shouldn't be confused with not being surprised in the least if Cal wins the game. They are a power conference team that has some very encouraging players on their roster that have looked great early. Any MN fan assuming this would be an easy game hasn't been a MN fan very long. There is no way any MN fan could be overconfident about this. There really isn't an outcome (except maybe a blowout either way) that would surprise me.
By the way, the Gophers went 11-2 a few years back under Fleck and that team took 2 OT's and a miraculous 4th down TD to beat Fresno State, and needed a frantic final drive to overcome Georgia Southern including a 3rd and 20 and 4th and 12 deep in our own territory this point in that season. Going in, I would have been far more surprised at a loss in either of those games than I would dropping one to Cal now.
I think it is human nature as a fan to pay more attention to the reported flaws of an opponent than to the potential problems with the local team.
You fit right in
Rushinbear said:TimBrewsterSucks said:
I rarely go to Gopher Hole anymore as I've found better options for Minnesota Gophers Forums. On 247 I'd say most fans are confident but reasonable. It's hard to get many data points for most teams by Week 3. I can tell you what I think so far. I think the RS Freshman QB Lindsey looks impressive early on. I think the defense will be pretty good if they stay healthy and it starts up front. Against an outmanned NW State, they played the most flawless first half of football I've seen in the Fleck Era. The starting QB was done for the day midway through the 2nd quarter. They statistically dominated Buffalo the week before when everyone in CFB is getting their sea legs and ran out the final 9:30 running the ball and taking a knee. I think Cal will be a challenge. Vegas has MN as slight favorite with the line getting tighter in anticipation the Gophers RB1 won't play. I think MN is in that 25-40 range and Cal is somewhere about 40-60, maybe slightly better. Given location, time, opponent it will be a good test. I think MN comes out 1-2 scores on to but nothing really surprises me anymore. A timely turnover or 2 or a key injury and it could be flip flopped for you guys.
the MN qb has never faced our D. How that goes will decide the game.
What is looking like strengths and weaknesses so far with that defense?
NVBear78 said:Schnauzer said:
I'm probably a pretty typical Minnesota fan. I predicted a two score victory on the Gopherhole score-pick thread. That prediction had nothing to do with confidence. I wouldn't be surprised if the Gophers lose to Cal. During the offseason, it appeared as though the Gophers have enough back, coupled with a manageable B1G schedule to be good this season. So those in the know were quietly optimistic about the season. So much would depend on the play of the redshirt freshman QB. I kept telling friends that if the QB was better than expected, there would be a potential of 10-2 with a floor of 8-4. If he turned out to be shaky, 6-6 was a real possibility with a ceiling of 7-5 or if lucky 8-4. With a sample size of only two games (against substandard competition), he has looked really good.
After hearing all the reports of Cal's transfers and learning there would be a true freshman at QB, I may have been confident about this game 4 weeks ago. But now, not so much. I can easily see a situation where the young Gopher QB lays an egg in front of a hostile crowd and the Gophers get humbled by a fired up Cal team QB'd by a hot freshman that is growing by the week.
So in typical MN fan mind set, I think the Gophers should win in a non-blowout but comfortable score. That shouldn't be confused with not being surprised in the least if Cal wins the game. They are a power conference team that has some very encouraging players on their roster that have looked great early. Any MN fan assuming this would be an easy game hasn't been a MN fan very long. There is no way any MN fan could be overconfident about this. There really isn't an outcome (except maybe a blowout either way) that would surprise me.
By the way, the Gophers went 11-2 a few years back under Fleck and that team took 2 OT's and a miraculous 4th down TD to beat Fresno State, and needed a frantic final drive to overcome Georgia Southern including a 3rd and 20 and 4th and 12 deep in our own territory this point in that season. Going in, I would have been far more surprised at a loss in either of those games than I would dropping one to Cal now.
I think it is human nature as a fan to pay more attention to the reported flaws of an opponent than to the potential problems with the local team.
Appreciate your comments and you sound very much like a Cal fan who has experienced lots of ups and downs! What are the odds of your RB1 playing Saturday? The video didn't look good on his Hammy. And we are missing our stud ILB for the first half due to a targeting call.
I put those chances at 0.00001% that Taylor plays. Fleck has a long history of NOT talking usefully about injuries, does not produce a depth chart, and waits until the last moment when it is required to announce his injury report. When he does, there are often surprises where guys don't play that we had no idea were hurt that badly. But there are rarely (never?) surprises where someone was expected to be out but ends up playing.
Meanwhile he always seems to understate the injuries and declare it has been great news from the doctors within the few comments that he does make. A couple years ago we had a wide receiver that was injured in fall camp. Fleck kept saying how well he was responding to treatment and he expected this WR to play basically any minute now. This went on for weeks that turned into months.
In Taylor's case, he has had hamstring issues in the past and it has cost him games. The way he pulled up, grabbed his hammy, and then stiffly walked off the field certainly didn't look like a "back next week" type situation (especially for someone with a history of hamstring problems).
He is really good. Good enough that I suspect it will have an impact on the spread.
TimBrewsterSucks said:Rushinbear said:TimBrewsterSucks said:
I rarely go to Gopher Hole anymore as I've found better options for Minnesota Gophers Forums. On 247 I'd say most fans are confident but reasonable. It's hard to get many data points for most teams by Week 3. I can tell you what I think so far. I think the RS Freshman QB Lindsey looks impressive early on. I think the defense will be pretty good if they stay healthy and it starts up front. Against an outmanned NW State, they played the most flawless first half of football I've seen in the Fleck Era. The starting QB was done for the day midway through the 2nd quarter. They statistically dominated Buffalo the week before when everyone in CFB is getting their sea legs and ran out the final 9:30 running the ball and taking a knee. I think Cal will be a challenge. Vegas has MN as slight favorite with the line getting tighter in anticipation the Gophers RB1 won't play. I think MN is in that 25-40 range and Cal is somewhere about 40-60, maybe slightly better. Given location, time, opponent it will be a good test. I think MN comes out 1-2 scores on to but nothing really surprises me anymore. A timely turnover or 2 or a key injury and it could be flip flopped for you guys.
the MN qb has never faced our D. How that goes will decide the game.
What is looking like strengths and weaknesses so far with that defense?
Overall football ability and discipline to stay within the D's system. Depth in all phases, e.g. a starting lb will be out for the first half. others are fully capable of doing what he does. When he comes back in the second half, watch out. He will be well rested and his hair will be on fire. cb's surprisingly athletic and football smart. D line experienced and strong. Just an all around good D.
TimBrewsterSucks said:Rushinbear said:TimBrewsterSucks said:
I rarely go to Gopher Hole anymore as I've found better options for Minnesota Gophers Forums. On 247 I'd say most fans are confident but reasonable. It's hard to get many data points for most teams by Week 3. I can tell you what I think so far. I think the RS Freshman QB Lindsey looks impressive early on. I think the defense will be pretty good if they stay healthy and it starts up front. Against an outmanned NW State, they played the most flawless first half of football I've seen in the Fleck Era. The starting QB was done for the day midway through the 2nd quarter. They statistically dominated Buffalo the week before when everyone in CFB is getting their sea legs and ran out the final 9:30 running the ball and taking a knee. I think Cal will be a challenge. Vegas has MN as slight favorite with the line getting tighter in anticipation the Gophers RB1 won't play. I think MN is in that 25-40 range and Cal is somewhere about 40-60, maybe slightly better. Given location, time, opponent it will be a good test. I think MN comes out 1-2 scores on to but nothing really surprises me anymore. A timely turnover or 2 or a key injury and it could be flip flopped for you guys.
the MN qb has never faced our D. How that goes will decide the game.
What is looking like strengths and weaknesses so far with that defense?
Linebackers and corners are pretty lock down. Safety a little less so, imo. Run D is stout. We hardly allow anything, but we continue to have difficulty tackling in the backfield. Last year we could hardly get to the QB or get any push. This year, we seem to be getting more pressure, but have been unable to contain. Taking straight-line routes in open space that allow the QB or RB or whomever should be TFLd, to step aside as we blow by. Something we've been working on. In general, Wilcox has been a defense-first coach which has been to the detriment of both our offense, and clock/game management. Also things we think will be better this year than in year's past. We occasionally blow a coverage for a huge chunk play. It's likely to happen Saturday, too.
I think it's too early to tell, but Minn seems to have some talent and will be a tough Big10 team. Our D hasn't really been tested and the OL run blocking is a concern. Not to mention JKS's youth and inexperience will be up against a quality defense.
And Wilcox is coach. So, I'm very nervous.
And Wilcox is coach. So, I'm very nervous.
Wilcox is a decent defensive coach, and the brain trust on offense looks improved.
Cal's kryptonite has always been mobile QBs. So if opposing teams have a mobile QB or an elite QB (duh), Cal's D can struggle.
But, historically speaking, if an opposing team has neither of those, expect a slug fest
But, historically speaking, if an opposing team has neither of those, expect a slug fest
MilleniaBear said:
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.
Haha, no doubt a punishing hit, but it would be an odd choice to post videos of people scoring TDs against your team!
Decker was pretty much a one man show for Minnesota in that game. Outstanding competitor and skilled athlete. Didn't even rate 3 stars as a recruit out of high school and if the Gophers had not signed him, his plan was to attend and play for a local D3 team. Not only did he set receiving records at MN and go on to a very nice NFL career, but he was an outstanding outfielder and MLB prospect for Gopher baseball as well.
I have often referred to the 2009 MN/Cal game as one of three losing games in the history of our new stadium that I enjoyed and could watch replays of. #8 Cal was just too much for the unranked Gophers that day but the game was tied 21-21 midway through the 4th quarter (much due to the efforts of Decker). But by that time the J. Best runs started going from 2-3 yards to 10-12 and the team that was already winning the game stats also stretched out to a couple score victory on the scoreboard too.
I think it was only the second game in the stadium and it was on a perfect September day.
I have often referred to the 2009 MN/Cal game as one of three losing games in the history of our new stadium that I enjoyed and could watch replays of. #8 Cal was just too much for the unranked Gophers that day but the game was tied 21-21 midway through the 4th quarter (much due to the efforts of Decker). But by that time the J. Best runs started going from 2-3 yards to 10-12 and the team that was already winning the game stats also stretched out to a couple score victory on the scoreboard too.
I think it was only the second game in the stadium and it was on a perfect September day.
StillNoStanfurdium said:MinotStateBeav said:
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.
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 think our OL is better than last year BUT still needs improvement
I think our Offensive coaching is better than last year.
I think our special teams are better than last year EXCEPT for kick offs that rarely reach the other team's end zone. .
I do think our QB is phenomenal and would show it better if our receivers would learn to catch. In both of our two games. Cal left points on the field because of poor pass catching. We MUST improve our pass catching or jKS may decide to look for a team that has receivers who can catch.
GivemTheAxe said:StillNoStanfurdium said:MinotStateBeav said:
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.
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 think our OL is better than last year BUT still needs improvement
I think our Offensive coaching is better than last year.
I think our special teams are better than last year EXCEPT for kick offs that rarely reach the other team's end zone. .
I do think our QB is phenomenal and would show it better if our receivers would learn to catch. In both of our two games. Cal left points on the field because of poor pass catching. We MUST improve our pass catching or jKS may decide to look for a team that has receivers who can catch.
What I would say to you is go back and watch last year's team play two games. Compare 2024 playing against Oregon State vs. 2025 playing against Oregon State. No reason so far to think OSU has improved. Then Compare 2024 against Davis to 2025 against Texas Southern. That is the only comp on the two schedules though Davis was a substantially better team than Texas Southern.
Are we better in these two games? Have we improved or are we just playing worse opponents now as we do at the beginning of every year.
This seems to be what we do every year. We play a crappy non-conference schedule and then say we have improved because we are comparing to the entire prior season when we played actual real teams.
We may be improved but we haven't shown it yet. We are playing August/September Wilcox ball awaiting to see if we will play October/November Wilcox ball or something better.
BearlyCareAnymore said:GivemTheAxe said:StillNoStanfurdium said:MinotStateBeav said:
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.
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 think our OL is better than last year BUT still needs improvement
I think our Offensive coaching is better than last year.
I think our special teams are better than last year EXCEPT for kick offs that rarely reach the other team's end zone. .
I do think our QB is phenomenal and would show it better if our receivers would learn to catch. In both of our two games. Cal left points on the field because of poor pass catching. We MUST improve our pass catching or jKS may decide to look for a team that has receivers who can catch.
What I would say to you is go back and watch last year's team play two games. Compare 2024 playing against Oregon State vs. 2025 playing against Oregon State. No reason so far to think OSU has improved. Then Compare 2024 against Davis to 2025 against Texas Southern. That is the only comp on the two schedules though Davis was a substantially better team than Texas Southern.
Are we better in these two games? Have we improved or are we just playing worse opponents now as we do at the beginning of every year.
This seems to be what we do every year. We play a crappy non-conference schedule and then say we have improved because we are comparing to the entire prior season when we played actual real teams.
We may be improved but we haven't shown it yet. We are playing August/September Wilcox ball awaiting to see if we will play October/November Wilcox ball or something better.
Ok fair enough.
And then compare our schedule from 2024 to 2025. I know we weren't playing any world beaters last year, but it's significantly easier this year. So even if we are the same as last year (which I don't think we are - I think we're better) we can still win 8-9 games almost by default. We just need to be ok.
bearsandgiants said:falseintellect said:
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.
this isn't true. We can, and have, competed at the highest level. And we're attempting to once again. If you can't, ever, there's no point in playing the game.
Huh? When was that? In the last century?
No. Cal is not competing at the highest level and never will. We've literally stuck with the worst coach in FBS for almost a decade. Cal fandom is about trying to find a little bit of occasional fun, like gameday last year.
falseintellect said:bearsandgiants said:falseintellect said:
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.
this isn't true. We can, and have, competed at the highest level. And we're attempting to once again. If you can't, ever, there's no point in playing the game.
Huh? When was that? In the last century?
No. Cal is not competing at the highest level and never will. We've literally stuck with the worst coach in FBS for almost a decade. Cal fandom is about trying to find a little bit of occasional fun, like gameday last year.
Tedford years in the 2000s. Not a century ago. Regularly top 25 in polls and recruiting.
falseintellect said:bearsandgiants said:falseintellect said:
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.
this isn't true. We can, and have, competed at the highest level. And we're attempting to once again. If you can't, ever, there's no point in playing the game.
Cal fandom is about trying to find a little bit of occasional fun, like gameday last year.
For 3 quarters against Miami we did play decent football versus a good team, and in 2023 we were all over SC and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, doesn't mean anything of course but we have seen glimpses of what could be, the problem is of course has been the coaching
ducky23 said:
It's possible cal may lose, but anyone expecting a 2 score loss might be disappointed.
Since 2000, cal has only lost twice by two scores at home in a non conference game. It happened twice in 2013, to a 1 win cal team (losses to ranked northwestern and Ohio state).
Other than that, it's never happened in the last 25 years.
This year + the 15 years in a row of losing records in conference, our murderers row of non-conference home games have been:
Texas Southern
UC Davis
Oregon State
San Diego State
Auburn
Idaho
UC Davis
UNLV
Nevada
Sacramento State
UC Davis
North Texas
North Carolina
Idaho State
Weber State
Ole Miss
Hawaii
Texas
Grambling State
San Diego State
Sacramento State
BYU
Portland State
Ohio State
Northwestern
Nevada
Southern Utah
Fresno State
Presbyterian College
UC Davis
Colorado
We played exactly one power conference team who ended the season with a winning record and that team was ahead of us 21-0 six minutes into the game. Our other loss by 2 scores was to a team that finished with a losing record.
No one in that group other than Ohio State should have even sniffed a 2 score win against us. I'd argue that if we were undefeated that would only have been slightly impressive. Your stat isn't about how we played so much as how we scheduled.
BearlyCareAnymore said:ducky23 said:
It's possible cal may lose, but anyone expecting a 2 score loss might be disappointed.
Since 2000, cal has only lost twice by two scores at home in a non conference game. It happened twice in 2013, to a 1 win cal team (losses to ranked northwestern and Ohio state).
Other than that, it's never happened in the last 25 years.
This year + the 15 years in a row of losing records in conference, our murderers row of non-conference home games have been:
Texas Southern
UC Davis
Oregon State
San Diego State
Auburn
Idaho
UC Davis
UNLV
Nevada
Sacramento State
UC Davis
North Texas
North Carolina
Idaho State
Weber State
Ole Miss
Hawaii
Texas
Grambling State
San Diego State
Sacramento State
BYU
Portland State
Ohio State
Northwestern
Nevada
Southern Utah
Fresno State
Presbyterian College
UC Davis
Colorado
We played exactly one power conference team who ended the season with a winning record and that team was ahead of us 21-0 six minutes into the game. Our other loss by 2 scores was to a team that finished with a losing record.
No one in that group other than Ohio State should have even sniffed a 2 score win against us. I'd argue that if we were undefeated that would only have been slightly impressive. Your stat isn't about how we played so much as how we scheduled.
Not that it matters, but Minnesota does not stand out compared to this list either
Strykur said:BearlyCareAnymore said:ducky23 said:
It's possible cal may lose, but anyone expecting a 2 score loss might be disappointed.
Since 2000, cal has only lost twice by two scores at home in a non conference game. It happened twice in 2013, to a 1 win cal team (losses to ranked northwestern and Ohio state).
Other than that, it's never happened in the last 25 years.
This year + the 15 years in a row of losing records in conference, our murderers row of non-conference home games have been:
Texas Southern
UC Davis
Oregon State
San Diego State
Auburn
Idaho
UC Davis
UNLV
Nevada
Sacramento State
UC Davis
North Texas
North Carolina
Idaho State
Weber State
Ole Miss
Hawaii
Texas
Grambling State
San Diego State
Sacramento State
BYU
Portland State
Ohio State
Northwestern
Nevada
Southern Utah
Fresno State
Presbyterian College
UC Davis
Colorado
We played exactly one power conference team who ended the season with a winning record and that team was ahead of us 21-0 six minutes into the game. Our other loss by 2 scores was to a team that finished with a losing record.
No one in that group other than Ohio State should have even sniffed a 2 score win against us. I'd argue that if we were undefeated that would only have been slightly impressive. Your stat isn't about how we played so much as how we scheduled.
Not that it matters, but Minnesota does not stand out compared to this list either
Not that it matters because I'm not arguing they will win by 2 scores - they seem to think they are good. I don't know enough about them to know why - However, if we played them last year when they had an 8-5 record, they would have had the second best record of any power conference team on the list. They may turn out to be the second best team on that list.
StillNoStanfurdium said:falseintellect said:bearsandgiants said:falseintellect said:
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.
this isn't true. We can, and have, competed at the highest level. And we're attempting to once again. If you can't, ever, there's no point in playing the game.
Huh? When was that? In the last century?
No. Cal is not competing at the highest level and never will. We've literally stuck with the worst coach in FBS for almost a decade. Cal fandom is about trying to find a little bit of occasional fun, like gameday last year.
Tedford years in the 2000s. Not a century ago. Regularly top 25 in polls and recruiting.
Even in the Tedford years, only 2004 and 2006 were truly highest level where we were at the top of the PAC. Being a fringe top 25 team is likely our ceiling in the current world of college football
BearlyCareAnymore said:GivemTheAxe said:StillNoStanfurdium said:MinotStateBeav said:
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.
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 think our OL is better than last year BUT still needs improvement
I think our Offensive coaching is better than last year.
I think our special teams are better than last year EXCEPT for kick offs that rarely reach the other team's end zone. .
I do think our QB is phenomenal and would show it better if our receivers would learn to catch. In both of our two games. Cal left points on the field because of poor pass catching. We MUST improve our pass catching or jKS may decide to look for a team that has receivers who can catch.
What I would say to you is go back and watch last year's team play two games. Compare 2024 playing against Oregon State vs. 2025 playing against Oregon State. No reason so far to think OSU has improved. Then Compare 2024 against Davis to 2025 against Texas Southern. That is the only comp on the two schedules though Davis was a substantially better team than Texas Southern.
Are we better in these two games? Have we improved or are we just playing worse opponents now as we do at the beginning of every year.
This seems to be what we do every year. We play a crappy non-conference schedule and then say we have improved because we are comparing to the entire prior season when we played actual real teams.
We may be improved but we haven't shown it yet. We are playing August/September Wilcox ball awaiting to see if we will play October/November Wilcox ball or something better.
Agreed, although I think this non-conference game will be telling. Looking at records so far, I'd actually be more surprised by a Cal win than a loss. Oregon State is not a good team - losing at home to a bad Fresno State team proved that. Texas Southern is not a good team even by FCS standards. For Minnesota, Buffalo is actually a very good team - probably better than Oregon State and certainly stronger than Texas Southern. Meanwhile they pummeled Northwestern State and looked much better doing that than Cal did against Texas Southern.
A Cal win would warrant some optimism for the rest of the year. A Cal loss and I fully expect yet another mediocre season.
HKBear97! said:BearlyCareAnymore said:GivemTheAxe said:StillNoStanfurdium said:MinotStateBeav said:
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.
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 think our OL is better than last year BUT still needs improvement
I think our Offensive coaching is better than last year.
I think our special teams are better than last year EXCEPT for kick offs that rarely reach the other team's end zone. .
I do think our QB is phenomenal and would show it better if our receivers would learn to catch. In both of our two games. Cal left points on the field because of poor pass catching. We MUST improve our pass catching or jKS may decide to look for a team that has receivers who can catch.
What I would say to you is go back and watch last year's team play two games. Compare 2024 playing against Oregon State vs. 2025 playing against Oregon State. No reason so far to think OSU has improved. Then Compare 2024 against Davis to 2025 against Texas Southern. That is the only comp on the two schedules though Davis was a substantially better team than Texas Southern.
Are we better in these two games? Have we improved or are we just playing worse opponents now as we do at the beginning of every year.
This seems to be what we do every year. We play a crappy non-conference schedule and then say we have improved because we are comparing to the entire prior season when we played actual real teams.
We may be improved but we haven't shown it yet. We are playing August/September Wilcox ball awaiting to see if we will play October/November Wilcox ball or something better.
Agreed, although I think this non-conference game will be telling. Looking at records so far, I'd actually be more surprised by a Cal win than a loss. Oregon State is not a good team - losing at home to a bad Fresno State team proved that. Texas Southern is not a good team even by FCS standards. For Minnesota, Buffalo is actually a very good team - probably better than Oregon State and certainly stronger than Texas Southern. Meanwhile they pummeled Northwestern State and looked much better doing that than Cal did against Texas Southern.
A Cal win would warrant some optimism for the rest of the year. A Cal loss and I fully expect yet another mediocre season.
I mean you probably only think Buffalo is very good because they played Minnesota tight. And while OSU losing to Fresno St. was bad, they dominated the game statistically and not having a long snapper lost them the game. So, there's very little actual data to go on and you're filling in some gaps that can prove to just be noise.
You can just as easily make the point that "wow Cal defense really held a potent OSU team in check" and Minnesota isn't as good as their record indicates because "they let Buffalo hang around for way too long"
SP+ has Oregon state at 100 and buffalo at 87. So technically, if you factor in that cal beat OSU on the road, Cal's win is actually better.
In the end though, cal nor Minn has played anyone. So trying to extrapolate anything from their previous games is a fool's errand.
In the end though, cal nor Minn has played anyone. So trying to extrapolate anything from their previous games is a fool's errand.
That's fair to say and to temper expectations but I think the reason for optimism is that we are clearly improved at a few key spots. OL play is looking much better, at this point last year we had given up 3 sacks and 14 TFLs, this year it's 1 sack and 7 TFLs; we all knew OL was a weakness and it finally looks like we're improved at the most important position on the field. Speaking of important positions, QB is vastly improved over last year. And our Special Teams which was an Achilles heel and cost us a handful of games last year alone, looks like they finally righted the ship and have even been a strength through two weeks.BearlyCareAnymore said:GivemTheAxe said:StillNoStanfurdium said:MinotStateBeav said:
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.
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 think our OL is better than last year BUT still needs improvement
I think our Offensive coaching is better than last year.
I think our special teams are better than last year EXCEPT for kick offs that rarely reach the other team's end zone. .
I do think our QB is phenomenal and would show it better if our receivers would learn to catch. In both of our two games. Cal left points on the field because of poor pass catching. We MUST improve our pass catching or jKS may decide to look for a team that has receivers who can catch.
What I would say to you is go back and watch last year's team play two games. Compare 2024 playing against Oregon State vs. 2025 playing against Oregon State. No reason so far to think OSU has improved. Then Compare 2024 against Davis to 2025 against Texas Southern. That is the only comp on the two schedules though Davis was a substantially better team than Texas Southern.
Are we better in these two games? Have we improved or are we just playing worse opponents now as we do at the beginning of every year.
This seems to be what we do every year. We play a crappy non-conference schedule and then say we have improved because we are comparing to the entire prior season when we played actual real teams.
We may be improved but we haven't shown it yet. We are playing August/September Wilcox ball awaiting to see if we will play October/November Wilcox ball or something better.
So this may be fool's gold, and we may not be much improved much or at all, but the reasons for optimism this time around are that we finally found some success at the most important positions, we fixed some glaring and repeated weaknesses, and some of our question mark spots heading into the season have been answered (namely DB where we had to reload the whole unit).
This week will still be telling because we still have many unanswered queries: how does JKS fare in his first real test? Are our offensive skill players up to the task (I believe we found our guy in Raphael but Minnesota's run defense is the best we've seen so far and very likely the best we'll see all year and we still need a WR or two to really bust out)? OL play, run game improved week 2; is it real growth or quality of opponent dependent? Defensive front has been in position but struggled to finish plays and tackle, how do they fare against Minnesota's stout OL? Do the LBs hold up without Cade in the first half and how does the D look as a whole without their captain? Can the DBs be as stingy and aggressively force turnovers against a P4 team? Was playcalling vanilla against weaker opponents to start and gonna be unleashed this week or is it more of the same?
So there's reasons to be positive over the improvements from last year but it's also a lot of questions still to be answered. We don't really know what we'll look like overall this year and Saturday will be telling in a lot of areas. All I'm really looking for is week to week steps forward and contesting so the game isn't a revenge blowout from our last couple meetings. I fully believe we can win but my California fandom has taught me not to be crushed if we disappoint this week. Either way it won't make or break our season but it will tell us where we are right now
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