which opponent would you guarantee that win over? (This is not to say that Cal would lose all the others, just that one particular win is guaranteed.)

'Furd, always 'Furd.

USC. They will be #1 or #2 and we'll be on the road. Toughest game of the year by far.

Furd...

We gave them the gift of a win for their new-stadium-first-Big-Game. That was kind enough.

I would wish nothing but unemployment for Tedford if he gifted them a win in OUR new stadium's first Big Game as well. (not to mention that the October BG will always be talked about).



OTOH, if he beats furd, Statue in Faculty Glade.

One could make a strong case for tOSU, even though they won't be ranked as high as USC - probably more like 10 - 13. Inter-conference wins don't get Cal much national attention, even against a top ranked team. But if we went into the shoe and beat tOSU, we'd make a lot of people all over the country very happy. Plus, if you can guarantee just one win, the earlier in the season the better, because it can sort of set the tone for the rest of the season.

OTOH, some people would just say it was because they are still transitioning to Meyers' new offense, and we were lucky to catch them early, etc.

ColoradoBear1;734594 said:

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USC. They will be #1 or #2 and we'll be on the road. Toughest game of the year by far.

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Agree. As non-Cal grad and newcomer Cal fan I have never seen this happen. They are the team that we need to beat if we are ever going to have a competitive program. Key to harbaugh's tenure was beating SC. If you go toe to toe, don't back down, and come out with a win, you should be fine with everyone else.

USC because 2003 was a long time ago

Woops!
I thought tOSU meant Oregon State so I chose "other" because I think Ohio State would be the win I would choose. It was very hard to choose. Except for UCLA, all of those games represent wins that are either rare or significant for other reasons. I picked Ohio State because it is the first of those games and could create excitement and momentum going into conference play. Plus, how many teams other than USC have come from the west coast and beaten Ohio State in Columbus?

If we win 2 of those games listed next year and sweep the rest, I would be content with the season. I think our biggest chances are against UCLA, Washington and the furd, in that order.

Other: Arizona

Means we win the Pac-12 title if we beat them (unless we somehow meet at some crappy bowl).

UCBerkGrad;734629 said:

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Other: Arizona

Means we win the Pac-12 title if we beat them (unless we somehow meet at some crappy bowl).

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If we are going to play that game, why not just say a school like Wisconsin (or Alabama). Only way to face them is in the Rose Bowl, or other BCS bowl.

Normally I would pick Stanford, but with the Big Game in October and the last win against SC being much too long ago, I went with SC as the game to win.

USC
Washington/Ohio State [since I'll be at the latter, I'd like to hope that I didn't waste my plane ticket for a loss]
Stanford
Oregon

In that order

Don't care about a road game against USC. Want to win all games at home to maximize season ticket enjoyment.

Washington/Furd
tOSU
USC
UCLA
OREGON

Oregon.

Same division, probably the top team in the North. Furd has no Luck, so may be less difficult game.