Doesn't that sound familiar? Isn't the next game always the most crucial? Well, there's games and then there's games. I think the general consensus here is that Cal is better than Colorado and should win. So, there is pressure to win every game, and a different type of pressure to win games you're supposed to win. Think more than a few Oregon fans had tight sphincters Saturday night? So, Cal needs to win the games they should win, like this Saturday, to have any chance at a good season. A loss and.........well, who knows what happens. And I don't know why so many think a win at WSU is probable. Didn't anyone see how they played Oregon? Is anyone concerned about Halliday shredding our secondary? Yes, we should be able to score points, but who will survive a shootout?
So, these games are crucial in that they appear to be winnable; probably all the games after that Cal will be the underdog and while I think they can be competitive in most of them it would not be surprising if they lost all of them. But I am encouraged by what Cal has done so far, even after what happened in Arizona. Even a losing season with close competive games (they don't have to be "moral victories") can go a long ways towards building up the program.

Larno;842364768 said:

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Doesn't that sound familiar? Isn't the next game always the most crucial? Well, there's games and then there's games. I think the general consensus here is that Cal is better than Colorado and should win. So, there is pressure to win every game, and a different type of pressure to win games you're supposed to win. Think more than a few Oregon fans had tight sphincters Saturday night? So, Cal needs to win the games they should win, like this Saturday, to have any chance at a good season. A loss and.........well, who knows what happens. And I don't know why so many think a win at WSU is probable. Didn't anyone see how they played Oregon? Is anyone concerned about Halliday shredding our secondary? Yes, we should be able to score points, but who will survive a shootout?
So, these games are crucial in that they appear to be winnable; probably all the games after that Cal will be the underdog and while I think they can be competitive in most of them it would not be surprising if they lost all of them. But I am encouraged by what Cal has done so far, even after what happened in Arizona. Even a losing season with close competive games (they don't have to be "moral victories") can go a long ways towards building up the program.

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I find that expectations change people's outlook in counterintuitive ways. When we were having a lot of success, a lot of people would look at the schedule, see a team that we were clearly better than, but who was a challenge and say "I'm worried that we could lose!" and almost be down about it to the point where they almost work themselves into predicting a loss. Now that we haven't had a lot of success, a lot of people look at the schedule see a team who is clearly better than us but who we have a shot at, and say "I'm excited that we could win!" and get themselves up to the point where they start predicting a win.

But for this week, Colorado sucks. We should beat them by 21+

Feel good about CO and yes, worried about WSU after seeing that Oregon game. But man, really want to beat UCLA and keep our winning streak on them in Berkeley going...!

From another perspective, these next two games are quite important in that these opponents are often considered to be the worst two in the conference. If we are going to bag only a couple more wins, these two might be our best chance. In that sense, they are quite important.

A convincing win against the Buffs is exactly what we need...

Colorado at California - Sat, Sep 27, 4:00 PM ET (156)
* POINT SPREAD TOTAL MONEY LINE
BETONLINE.ag
+10.5
-10.5 COLO: -110
CAL: -110

5Dimes.eu
+11
-11 COLO: -110
CAL: -110

SportsBetting.ag
+10.5
-10.5 COLO: -110
CAL: -110

BOVADA N/A N/A N/A
Fantasy911.com
+11
-11 COLO: -110
CAL: -110

XXXBEAR;842364800 said:

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Colorado at California - Sat, Sep 27, 4:00 PM ET (156)
* POINT SPREAD TOTAL MONEY LINE
BETONLINE.ag
+10.5
-10.5 COLO: -110
CAL: -110

5Dimes.eu
+11
-11 COLO: -110
CAL: -110

SportsBetting.ag
+10.5
-10.5 COLO: -110
CAL: -110

BOVADA N/A N/A N/A
Fantasy911.com
+11
-11 COLO: -110
CAL: -110

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Betting lines are indicative of ... nothing, as shown by the Az game, etc. etc. etc. .... etc.

SonOfCalVa;842364809 said:

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Betting lines are indicative of ... nothing, as shown by the Az game, etc. etc. etc. .... etc.

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first half money line, baby!

bearsandgiants;842364815 said:

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first half money line, baby!

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Bet Cal first half... Take the winnings and Bet CO the second half.

jamonit;842364907 said:

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Bet Cal first half... Take the winnings and Bet CO the second half.

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the way things are going, Cal will struggle the first half, bitching will be loud everywhere,
then catch fire and totally wipe out the Buffalo herd

SonOfCalVa;842364922 said:

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the way things are going, Cal will struggle the first half, bitching will be loud everywhere,
then catch fire and totally wipe out the Buffalo herd

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It wouldn't really be surprising. Colorado sucks, and Cal can't help but know that. I doubt they overlook CU given where we have come from, but it is human nature that it sometimes happens. If they do, I'd expect home field and overall ability to take over in the 2nd half.

SonOfCalVa;842364809 said:

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Betting lines are indicative of ... nothing, as shown by the Az game, etc. etc. etc. .... etc.

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I'd argue that the AZ game showed the exact opposite, that the "smart" money is usually right. Especially when there is a cascade of smart money going in one direction.

I think it will be interesting to see how well Cal plays in the second half, especially if Cal has a decent lead going into half-time, as both the NU and AZ games ended up being closer than they should have been due to poor second half play by Cal.

ducky23;842364927 said:

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I'd argue that the AZ game showed the exact opposite, that the "smart" money is usually right. Especially when there is a cascade of smart money going in one direction.

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I understand some feel sorry for Colorado since Cal will be taking the loss to AZ out on the Buffs. Go Bears!

ducky23;842364927 said:

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I'd argue that the AZ game showed the exact opposite, that the "smart" money is usually right. Especially when there is a cascade of smart money going in one direction.

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Yeah, sure ... their "wisdom" allowed the to foresee the way the game would end :p

SonOfCalVa;842364940 said:

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Yeah, sure ... their "wisdom" allowed the to foresee the way the game would end :p

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Spread opened at -17 and dropped to -7.5. Which is a massive line movement in favor of Cal. Cal covered easily. More times than not, when you see a line move that much, the smart money is usually correct.

The CU spread opened at -11.5 and has moved pretty quickly to -13. To say that is not indicative of anything is pure silliness to degenerate gamblers like me who actually pay attention to this stuff.

ducky23;842364944 said:

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Spread opened at -17 and dropped to -7.5. Which is a massive line movement in favor of Cal. Cal covered easily. More times than not, when you see a line move that much, the smart money is usually correct.

The CU spread opened at -11.5 and has moved pretty quickly to -13. To say that is not indicative of anything is pure silliness to degenerate gamblers like me who actually pay attention to this stuff.

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oh good, no need to play the game ... we win. Vegas sez so.

SonOfCalVa;842364982 said:

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oh good, no need to play the game ... we win. Vegas sez so.

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You said "Betting lines are indicative of ... nothing"

I'm not saying that betting lines are indicative of "everything", but to say that they have zero predictive properties is, again, silly.

IF that were true, you should just bet the underdog everytime since "the betting lines are indicative of nothing"

but you won't, because you know you mispoke, but you're still trying to somehow back track.

To review; all I'm saying is that betting lines have some predictive value. You are saying they have absolutely none. god bless you if you continue to stand by your statement.

Spread actually dropped a point to -10 before rebounding to -13. I wonder what insight can be gleaned from that initial hiccup.

ducky23;842364992 said:

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You said "Betting lines are indicative of ... nothing"

I'm not saying that betting lines are indicative of "everything", but to say that they have zero predictive properties is, again, silly.

IF that were true, you should just bet the underdog everytime since "the betting lines are indicative of nothing"

but you won't, because you know you mispoke, but you're still trying to somehow back track.

To review; all I'm saying is that betting lines have some predictive value. You are saying they have absolutely none. god bless you if you continue to stand by your statement.

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ah, some predictive value, huh, ... as do Ouija boards, maybe
OTOH, I learned that I can happily break even by not gambling and just watch the game for pleasure (and some temporary pain).

jamonit;842364907 said:

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Bet Cal first half... Take the winnings and Bet CO the second half.

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This is a very good bet.