Negative is that when we are bad (like this year) it was always something to hold out hope for the seniors (and fans) that that they could go out as Big Game winners and keep or bring home the Axe.

Now other than a needed win against Washington or an upset against Oregon or OSU, there is little to hold out hope for.

Which brings up the question, on the (somewhat) positive side is it time to start the young guys, especially on OL at QB?

At the very least, I'd like to see a second unit offense--all the young OLs, Bridgford, Hinder, Boehm, shoot maybe even Kline at QB but definitely Bigelow at RB. A few guys like Rodgers and the WRs play with both. Have them drill with simple blocking schemes and even scripted plays and then bring them in for at least a series and more if thy are having some success.

the_purple_drank;841982941 said:

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NO NO NO NO KLINE!!!

why are people so adamant on wasting his redshirt????? What exactly is the upside here when he's going to have to learn a new system next year anyway (we can hope)? So we can go to the freaking Poinsettia Bowl?!?

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Kline entered school early. I don't think Kline is playing at Cal in 2016 as a 5th year graduate student, or if he does, it is because he was not ready for the NFL after his fourth year of school and someone else has supplanted him as QB so he is doing it for the graduate degree. If Kline is our best QB, if he is going to start next year, there is no need to save a year of eligibility that he is unlikely to use, especially if he is good.

If Bridgford, Hinder or Boehm are better than Kline, then by all means play them instead and save Kline's redshirt.

the_purple_drank;841982955 said:

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Only a handful of players are ready to jump to the NFL early. To make any assumption that Kline will be ready for the NFL when plenty of top quarterbacks (Barkley, Jones, etc) have stayed is a bit ridiculous.

If Kline does leave early, then we should be thrilled with how he performed. Still, you don't waste a redshirt year because you think he's going to leave early in 4 years.

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Barkley entered school early and started as a true freshman. He is not a 5th year grad student. He is a senior in college and will get his degree and go to the NFL. He simply did not leave college early.

Like Barkley, Kline entered school early to compete for the job [U]this[/U] year, if he maintains academic progress as required by the NCAA, he too will have his diploma after 4 years. Leaving college after you get your degree is not leaving early by most people's standards.

I think you have it backwards. Few starting QBs who are future NFL players stay a 5th year.

Plus getting into grad school at Cal is highly competitive, there is no preference for athletes. He would have a better chance of getting into USC grad school (or anywhere else) and playing there his final year as he would be free to do under NCAA rules.