Strykur said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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What will be the reaction on this board if Wilcox wins the ACC or god forbid gets to the National Championship game?

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That would mean winning not just one but multiple major bowls (we haven't won any since 1938) and a conference championship (which hasn't happened since 1959) so he would immediately replace Pappy as the 2nd greatest coach in program history

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72CalBear said:

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Strykur said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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What will be the reaction on this board if Wilcox wins the ACC or god forbid gets to the National Championship game?

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That would mean winning not just one but multiple major bowls (we haven't won any since 1938) and a conference championship (which hasn't happened since 1959) so he would immediately replace Pappy as the 2nd greatest coach in program history

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The Bears won conference championships in 1975 with Mike White and Pac 10 (tie) 2006 with JT.

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calumnus said:

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Pittstop said:

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calumnus said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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calumnus said:

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nonamebear2 said:

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Just listened to this episode of the California Golden Bearcast, where they talk about the win vs Minnesota, as well as the hype regarding our chances for the ACC Championship Game & maybe even the CFP. Too early to say of course, but could we be this year's Indiana or SMU?

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We really easily could. We also easily could have last year too but fell FAR short, going 2-6 in ACC play and ended up with a losing record for the 5th year in a row.

The season is still young. Let's beat San Diego State and then see how we do on the road in conference play, Wilcox's bugaboo. The good news they all look very beatable. The bad news is Wilcox has lost to otherwise no win teams on the road in the past, multiple times. We will see if he can sustain our energy this time. I do feel like Sagapolutele is only going to get better which will be exciting to watch. Go Bears!

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I'll be rooting for Virginia Tech to pick up one win and get a false sense of confidence before our game. We play them late enough that any immediate interim coaching boost should wear off. They've got Wofford next which is a pretty big chance to get at least one win with their next chance (though no sure thing) to win probably being against Wake Forest 2 weeks before our game.

It's why I was also happy to see Furd beat BC. It made me feel better about our chances at BC as well as more confident that we wouldn't inexplicably lose to winless Furd at the Big Game on the road.

I don't know why WIlcox loses those games, but whether there's more pressure facing winless teams (which is a self-fulfilling prophecy the more he loses to them) or just playing differently that he can't schematically handle, I do feel way better about our chances with a promising change on the offensive side and reliable kicking to narrow ST variability in close games.

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My theory is:

1. Wilcox is very defense oriented and gets conservative with a lead, this keeps all games close, which is good for pulling an occasional upset against a good team, but on the road gives a bad team hope.

2. Wilcox is a low key guy and a very poor motivator, something needed in a college coach trying to improve a program. Thus, the team needs the home crowd, or even a big hostile crowd, to motivate them. A sparse crowd for a team with no wins is an environment where a Wilcox team is going to come out flat.

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To me, all of the signs and the empirical evidence (so far) strongly suggests that Wilcox has for all intents and purposes turned over pretty much complete control of the offense, and offensive 'decisions' to the discretion Harsin, and the 'aggression', and ruthlessness of Harsin. I have noticed in these first three games a departure from past Wilcox tendencies to 'sit on leads', or to become more conservative at the ends of halves or games. Cal's offense did not stop trying to score with a lead against OSU, or even TSU after the game was already out of reach. And against Minnesota, that agressive 43-second drive for the FG at the end of the 1st half, with no remaining TOs, and that [heretofore] 'risky' last play (the 4-yard sideline pass with 8 seconds left on the clock and 0 remaining time outs) before the half-ending FG attempt, would never have happened with previous Wilcox teams. Nor would have Cal's last FG of the game against Minnesota with Cal already in possession of a 2-score lead with less than 2 minutes left in the game. In previous years JW would have turtled, taken the air out of the ball, or sat on the ball to minimize any risks for turnovers, with the mindset of "live to fight another day". But Harsin appears to have JW's full trust with the offense, and Harsin is ruthless. Harsin has that 'cutthroat' offensive mentality. You love to see it.

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I agree, there was definitely a difference from the previous 8 years in aggressiveness at the end of the half, which was great to see. I think it was probably part of what drove Spavital off. Harsin did actually slow it down in the 4th quarter running on first and second down often after almost 100% passing in the first half. The difference between this year and last year is it worked. Turns out it is probably good to have an OL coach.

Do you think the aggressiveness of Harsin (and Riverboat Ron) will change Wilcox's coaching style and philosophy permanently? Or left on his own would he revert to his comfort zone?

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Bearly Clad said:

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calumnus said:

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Pittstop said:

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calumnus said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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calumnus said:

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nonamebear2 said:

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Just listened to this episode of the California Golden Bearcast, where they talk about the win vs Minnesota, as well as the hype regarding our chances for the ACC Championship Game & maybe even the CFP. Too early to say of course, but could we be this year's Indiana or SMU?

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We really easily could. We also easily could have last year too but fell FAR short, going 2-6 in ACC play and ended up with a losing record for the 5th year in a row.

The season is still young. Let's beat San Diego State and then see how we do on the road in conference play, Wilcox's bugaboo. The good news they all look very beatable. The bad news is Wilcox has lost to otherwise no win teams on the road in the past, multiple times. We will see if he can sustain our energy this time. I do feel like Sagapolutele is only going to get better which will be exciting to watch. Go Bears!

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I'll be rooting for Virginia Tech to pick up one win and get a false sense of confidence before our game. We play them late enough that any immediate interim coaching boost should wear off. They've got Wofford next which is a pretty big chance to get at least one win with their next chance (though no sure thing) to win probably being against Wake Forest 2 weeks before our game.

It's why I was also happy to see Furd beat BC. It made me feel better about our chances at BC as well as more confident that we wouldn't inexplicably lose to winless Furd at the Big Game on the road.

I don't know why WIlcox loses those games, but whether there's more pressure facing winless teams (which is a self-fulfilling prophecy the more he loses to them) or just playing differently that he can't schematically handle, I do feel way better about our chances with a promising change on the offensive side and reliable kicking to narrow ST variability in close games.

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My theory is:

1. Wilcox is very defense oriented and gets conservative with a lead, this keeps all games close, which is good for pulling an occasional upset against a good team, but on the road gives a bad team hope.

2. Wilcox is a low key guy and a very poor motivator, something needed in a college coach trying to improve a program. Thus, the team needs the home crowd, or even a big hostile crowd, to motivate them. A sparse crowd for a team with no wins is an environment where a Wilcox team is going to come out flat.

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To me, all of the signs and the empirical evidence (so far) strongly suggests that Wilcox has for all intents and purposes turned over pretty much complete control of the offense, and offensive 'decisions' to the discretion Harsin, and the 'aggression', and ruthlessness of Harsin. I have noticed in these first three games a departure from past Wilcox tendencies to 'sit on leads', or to become more conservative at the ends of halves or games. Cal's offense did not stop trying to score with a lead against OSU, or even TSU after the game was already out of reach. And against Minnesota, that agressive 43-second drive for the FG at the end of the 1st half, with no remaining TOs, and that [heretofore] 'risky' last play (the 4-yard sideline pass with 8 seconds left on the clock and 0 remaining time outs) before the half-ending FG attempt, would never have happened with previous Wilcox teams. Nor would have Cal's last FG of the game against Minnesota with Cal already in possession of a 2-score lead with less than 2 minutes left in the game. In previous years JW would have turtled, taken the air out of the ball, or sat on the ball to minimize any risks for turnovers, with the mindset of "live to fight another day". But Harsin appears to have JW's full trust with the offense, and Harsin is ruthless. Harsin has that 'cutthroat' offensive mentality. You love to see it.

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I agree, there was definitely a difference from the previous 8 years in aggressiveness at the end of the half, which was great to see. I think it was probably part of what drove Spavital off. Harsin did actually slow it down in the 4th quarter running on first and second down often after almost 100% passing in the first half. The difference between this year and last year is it worked. Turns out it is probably good to have an OL coach.

Do you think the aggressiveness of Harsin (and Riverboat Ron) will change Wilcox's coaching style and philosophy permanently? Or left on his own would he revert to his comfort zone?

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JMO but I think it's both the offensive staff and, judging by Wilcox's reactions last week, full faith in his QB. After the first TD drive and after the game Wilcox was hugging him, smiling, and exuberant. I've never seen him like that before with any player and I think it's a result of him knowing what a star he has. Also lots of former HCs get opportunities but Harsin was out of coaching for two years and Rolovich had no better offers than as an analyst/advisor for us after being unceremoniously fired. Idk if other positions open up for either after this season, especially with JKS and his hype train taking the lion's share of the credit. I think we likely have at least 2-3 years with the two of them in place. I've been wrong before though, and many times

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Cal88 said:

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I think we might lose one of Harsin or Rolo, but not both. If Harsin leaves Rolo should be promoted to OC.

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philly1121 said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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What will be the reaction on this board if Wilcox wins the ACC or god forbid gets to the National Championship game?

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There's a difference between dreams and delusions.

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Pittstop said:

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philly1121 said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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What will be the reaction on this board if Wilcox wins the ACC or god forbid gets to the National Championship game?

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There's a difference between dreams and delusions.

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Or wins ACC COY?

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Pittstop said:

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philly1121 said:

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There's a difference between dreams and delusions.

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Or wins ACC COY?

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calgldnbear said:

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philly1121 said:

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This thread didn't age well.

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And it isn't even very old….

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