OK, I have to say this. Maybe someone else has expressed this and I just haven't seen it, or maybe it's just me, or maybe it's an elephant in the room. But for the first time in over 40 years of watching Cal football, this was the first season opener that simply didn't get me excited. It could be because it was really before the season started, or maybe because the game was not only at a neutral site, but one where there were--for all intents and purposes--no fans (just a handful from Cal or Hawaii that made the trip, but that's all), or because the band wasn't there, no cheerleaders, the horrible ESPN announcers; but it just felt like an exhibition game--which it essentially was.

I thought I'd get all pumped up after kickoff, but I didn't. I wasn't all antsy Friday waiting for the game, counting the hours and minutes. Now for the real opening weekend, we have a bye. I'm hoping that it's all back to normal for SDSU.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled with the win and glad we still have an offense after losing Goff and a ton of receivers. I'm glad the players got this once in a lifetime experience, but I just feel deflated and not like it's FOOTBALL SEASON. I'm also really happy about the financial benefits, but let's not do this again.

Somebody please say something to get me jazzed up like I should be!

The minute Goff started playing at Cal the excitement level went way up.
He's a hard act to follow.
But Webb is doing a good job trying.

It's not just you. The environment, the timing, no other games being played, everything gave it that "exhibition game" feel you described. Plus the game itself, for the most part, was kind of boring and vanilla. We have three weeks to wait until the season "starts" at Memorial, the level of excitement will be up by then.

Go Bears!!

The season started before the 1st game was ever played.

Before the game, my excitement over the start of the season was tempered a little by the fact that Hawaii was one of the worst teams in FBS, so I expected a blowout and I was concerned that the "event" would be kind of a bust. But college football fans all around the country said they were going to watch the game because everyone was itching for the season to start, so I thought it was super cool that all attention would be on Cal for one night. (Unfortunately the ESPN announcers tried their best to ignore Cal and Hawaii.)

After the game started, sure, the lack of real college football fans in the stadium was glaringly obvious and really hurt the atmosphere, and Cal's first half play was very concerning, but they (at least the offense) improved in the 2nd half and a win is a win and being 1-0 is great. I don't mind at all that Cal is not playing in Week 1. Cal got far more attention being the only FBS game in "Week 0."

Do you get jacked up drinking, using drugs, and listening to loud Rock music before kickoff? If so, it may simply be a question of adjusting your settings.

It was an exhibition game. The thing that separates college football is that it is local- full of passionate fans and traditions. This had all the intensity of a CSPAN broadcast. The only consolation is the home game against South Dakota State with a half empty stadium may not have been anything to write home about.

It's partly getting older Valeyblue, and partly starting the season with relatively low expectations, a bowl game goal instead of championship expectation.

There is still a lot to get excited about, we've got a great home opener this year and a good shot at getting there undefeated. Beat Texas and we'll get some top 25 votes.

Not if we lose to SDS.

Cal88;842719661 said:

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It's partly getting older Valeyblue, and partly starting the season with relatively low expectations, a bowl game goal instead of championship expectation.

There is still a lot to get excited about, we've got a great home opener this year and a good shot at getting there undefeated. Beat Texas and we'll get some top 25 votes.

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I found watching the game obliterated my enthusiasm too. I am tired of watching Cal play defense free football.

I think the announcers contributed greatly to the malaise, first with unexcited monotone, second with constant SEC and 'next week is huge' banter in lieu of more interesting stories about our players.

The half-perplexed silent Aussie crowd didn't help the announcers gain a pulse, either.

It was similar to the Globetrotters playing the Washington Generals but with no buckets of water being thrown, and no mind-boggling dribbling displays.

A few good long plays, sure, but with no crowd noise and no reaction most was ho-hum that sent me looking for either another drink, or another yawn.

Even though I knew I was supposed to be excited, and was anticipating that, I strangely had a hard time getting there.

Spring scrimmage against Honolulu High School with ESPN "D" announcers (yes you Bellotti) with SEC/Big1.

For me it had to do with the game going until 2am ET.

It would have made it more enjoyable had they focused some of the content cut aways on funny Australian fan insights. I saw more from Twitter from fans in the stands than I saw from the telecast. How about a decibel meter next to the cannon? I know that was somebody dressed as a Kangaroo in the stadium. How about a piece on the stadium's history? The teams' run ups to the game itself. The food? Is there Vegemite served in the stadium? So many missed opportunities.

Valleyblue;842719638 said:

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OK, I have to say this. Maybe someone else has expressed this and I just haven't seen it, or maybe it's just me, or maybe it's an elephant in the room. But for the first time in over 40 years of watching Cal football, this was the first season opener that simply didn't get me excited. It could be because it was really before the season started, or maybe because the game was not only at a neutral site, but one where there were--for all intents and purposes--no fans (just a handful from Cal or Hawaii that made the trip, but that's all), or because the band wasn't there, no cheerleaders, the horrible ESPN announcers; but it just felt like an exhibition game--which it essentially was.

I thought I'd get all pumped up after kickoff, but I didn't. I wasn't all antsy Friday waiting for the game, counting the hours and minutes. Now for the real opening weekend, we have a bye. I'm hoping that it's all back to normal for SDSU.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled with the win and glad we still have an offense after losing Goff and a ton of receivers. I'm glad the players got this once in a lifetime experience, but I just feel deflated and not like it's FOOTBALL SEASON. I'm also really happy about the financial benefits, but let's not do this again.

Somebody please say something to get me jazzed up like I should be!

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I don't agree. I was ready Friday all day and was anticipating the game. Got me through work that day knowing I could go home and have some dinner, drinks and be ready to go!!!! I couldn't wait to see Webb and the new receivers. I wanted to see what the D was all about. I was interested in the new guys and how they would do. Yes, the announcers were HORRIBLE!!! However, I was watching each play closely. It was the first game!!!! I was totally into where the team was on that day. I wanted to see which individual players could give me hope on a successful season. All the other stuff was background. If I am home watching the game I am zeroed in on player performance, coaching decisions etc...
It's not a game at Memorial that's for sure. However, for a road game at Arizona, Colorado, Washington State what's the difference really? No crowd impact, no real interesting culture.

NJCalFan;842719675 said:

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I found watching the game obliterated my enthusiasm too. I am tired of watching Cal play defense free football.

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It's been so long since we've had a playmaker on defense that just dictated what the offense did. Follett was probably the last one I can think of. Even if he wasn't making a play..he was changing a play. We had so many guys that weren't 5 stars but were playmakers..Donnie McClesky was another one. We seem to be lacking game changers. Mike Mohammed could do it at times.

If Cal were playing this upcoming weekend against an FCS team, they would've gotten about 3 seconds of coverage on the sports networks.

Instead, they got an exclusive, primetime national broadcast, national & international coverage, and a memorable experience for the team and fans.

If ESPN decided to treat it like an exhibition game and mail it in, that's their problem, not ours.

CALiforniALUM;842719677 said:

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Spring scrimmage against Honolulu High School with ESPN "D" announcers (yes you Bellotti) with SEC/Big1.

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Honolulu High School? Hawaii has a new coach, Nick Rolovich, who was on the Nevada staff when they rolled over the Berkeley team in 2010 in Reno and beat them again in 2012 without the national anthem protester QB.

When a big time opponent comes around and your favorite announcers are on the telecast and the starting time is to your liking and all the stars align, then.....

An away game, at 7PM, on a Friday, playing Hawai'i. Yeah, not exactly exciting stuff, game was kind of ugly, but football is back. I liked it. I think you will come back to reality in 3 weeks, unless we **** the bed in San Diego.

Based on the page 1 threads, 30% of posters were nervous before the game, 30% were less than excited, 30% have CFD, Cal Football Disorder, 9% had normal reactions, and the last 1% is represented by John Wilner.

NJCalFan;842719675 said:

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I found watching the game obliterated my enthusiasm too. I am tired of watching Cal play defense free football.

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I hear you, but I remember a few seasons when we played offense-free football (one that comes to mind is Kevin Riley's senior year after he got injured) and they were even more frustrating.

bearister;842719655 said:

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Do you get jacked up drinking, using drugs, and listening to loud Rock music before kickoff? If so, it may simply be a question of adjusting your settings.

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Awesome response...

What, you're not happy with a 20 point opening day win which showed just a glimpse of what could be, Cal having a big payday, Beastmode Cal gear, looking forward to more YAC from our impressive wide receiver corps, or KM running over people and sprinting away, the return of Aaron Cochrane, Bug Rivera! - 2 weeks to prepare for our next win, and Texas coming up in a jam packed Memorial Stadium opener?

Here's the answer- it's you- you finally became a pessimist and it's all downhill from here...

Big C_Cal;842719752 said:

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I hear you, but I remember a few seasons when we played offense-free football (one that comes to mind is Kevin Riley's senior year after he got injured) and they were even more frustrating.

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This, this, this.

Gamut of responses. I guess I just want the real season to start.

No, it's not just you. My circle of Cal fans feels essentially the same way: We have a head coach who is unremarkable in every way. He doesn't value defense. Having grown up with the mantra that "defense wins championships," how can any intelligent football fan hope for genuine, lasting success given his resume? He went 0-12 against our peers with the #1 pick in the draft at the most important position on the field. It boils down to knowing the season has a ceiling on it even before the year begins.

It doesn't help that any game at a neutral site on a non-Saturday is going to feel gimmicky to some extent...it's hard to avoid that 53rd & 3rd feeling, whether the whoring is taking place in Santa Clara or 7,500 miles to the east.

If you disagree with me, fine! Check back with me in five years and we'll see who was right.

We all still enjoy the games, the Memorial sunshine, the friends and family, and the occasional upset. Those who can't enjoy those things, you should just take a break from it for awhile...they'll be a new guy in place in 2-3 years, perhaps one who values defense. My fear is that the crumbling begins against SDSU in 12 days, instead of after Week 5 as it usually does.

Haywood Jabearme;842719789 said:

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No, it's not just you. My circle of Cal fans feels essentially the same way: We have a head coach who is unremarkable in every way. He doesn't value defense. Having grown up with the mantra that "defense wins championships," how can any intelligent football fan hope for genuine, lasting success given his resume? He went 0-12 against our peers with the #1 pick in the draft at the most important position on the field. It boils down to knowing the season has a ceiling on it even before the year begins.

It doesn't help that any game at a neutral site on a non-Saturday is going to feel gimmicky to some extent...it's hard to avoid that 53rd & 3rd feeling, whether the whoring is taking place in Santa Clara or 7,500 miles to the east.

If you disagree with me, fine! Check back with me in five years and we'll see who was right.

We all still enjoy the games, the Memorial sunshine, the friends and family, and the occasional upset. Those who can't enjoy those things, you should just take a break from it for awhile...they'll be a new guy in place in 2-3 years, perhaps one who values defense. My fear is that the crumbling begins against SDSU in 12 days, instead of after Week 5 as it usually does.

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Gloom and doom on your first post?

His first post and I've already placed him/her on Ignore.

Haywood Jabearme;842719789 said:

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No, it's not just you. My circle of Cal fans feels essentially the same way: We have a head coach who is unremarkable in every way. He doesn't value defense. Having grown up with the mantra that "defense wins championships," how can any intelligent football fan hope for genuine, lasting success given his resume? He went 0-12 against our peers with the #1 pick in the draft at the most important position on the field. It boils down to knowing the season has a ceiling on it even before the year begins.

It doesn't help that any game at a neutral site on a non-Saturday is going to feel gimmicky to some extent...it's hard to avoid that 53rd & 3rd feeling, whether the whoring is taking place in Santa Clara or 7,500 miles to the east.

If you disagree with me, fine! Check back with me in five years and we'll see who was right.

We all still enjoy the games, the Memorial sunshine, the friends and family, and the occasional upset. Those who can't enjoy those things, you should just take a break from it for awhile...they'll be a new guy in place in 2-3 years, perhaps one who values defense. My fear is that the crumbling begins against SDSU in 12 days, instead of after Week 5 as it usually does.

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:facepalm :buttkick:

Big C_Cal;842719752 said:

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I hear you, but I remember a few seasons when we played offense-free football (one that comes to mind is Kevin Riley's senior year after he got injured) and they were even more frustrating.

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2012

txwharfrat;842719816 said:

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2012

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#69 offense, 4695 yds (5.75 per play)
#93 defense 5295 yds (5.67 per play)

Offense was bad--defense was the beginning of horrible.

Big C_Cal;842719752 said:

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I hear you, but I remember a few seasons when we played offense-free football (one that comes to mind is Kevin Riley's senior year after he got injured) and they were even more frustrating.

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Oh yes, the Deltha offense, or when your cornerback/kick returner was your main scoring threat...

Haywood Jabearme;842719789 said:

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No, it's not just you. My circle of Cal fans feels essentially the same way: We have a head coach who is unremarkable in every way. He doesn't value defense. Having grown up with the mantra that "defense wins championships," how can any intelligent football fan hope for genuine, lasting success given his resume? He went 0-12 against our peers with the #1 pick in the draft at the most important position on the field. It boils down to knowing the season has a ceiling on it even before the year begins.

...We all still enjoy the games, the Memorial sunshine, the friends and family, and the occasional upset. Those who can't enjoy those things, you should just take a break from it for awhile...they'll be a new guy in place in 2-3 years, perhaps one who values defense. My fear is that the crumbling begins against SDSU in 12 days, instead of after Week 5 as it usually does.

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Agree, as long as our D is near the bottom of the conference, there will be a relatively low ceiling.

The last few games of that season were unbearable offense-wise

MinotStateBeav;842719700 said:

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It's been so long since we've had a playmaker on defense that just dictated what the offense did. Follett was probably the last one I can think of. Even if he wasn't making a play..he was changing a play. We had so many guys that weren't 5 stars but were playmakers..Donnie McClesky was another one. We seem to be lacking game changers. Mike Mohammed could do it at times.

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Yes. I don't understand why it is THAT hard to find even one in the last 7-8 seasons.