Beating Colorado tomorrow is very important for Cal Football for many reasons. Among others, beating Colorado:

. Guarantees a bid to a respectable bowl game (yes, 6-6 gives us a good chance for a bowl bid, but, having been a Cal fan 42 years, I don't like leaving anything to "chance").
. Guarantees a winning season no matter what happens in the Big Game and the bowl game. That is important when you consider how few winning seasons we have had this decade.
. Gives us a chance to have a winning Pac-12 record at 5-4 with a win in the Big Game. That would be very sweet as I believe (someone please fact check me) we have not had a winning conference season this decade.
. Gives us a great recruiting momentum when we really really need to upgrade our recruiting and bring in some difference makers at key particularly skill/speed positions.
. Proves that Coach Wilcox is really our coach of the future and the wins against UW and USC were not just flukes.
. Makes the alums and fans write some decent sized donation checks despite the bad taste MBB has left in everybody's mouth (before you ask, I will be writing a check earmarked for Cal Football, but, how big a check will be depend on the results if the next two games*).

Here is my prediction:
Cal 24- Colorado 14
(yes, a tough close game even with Coach Mike McIntyre having been fired, specially if QB Montez is healthy).

Go Bears, Beat The Buffs!

* I bleed Blue and Gold. I have been following Cal sports and posting here while travelling in 10 different countries in Europe in the last 3 weeks alone. I'll wake up at 1 AM on Sunday morning in Rome to follow the Colorado game on the internet, just like I woke up at 3 AM in a National Park in the mountains of northern Montenegro to foloow the USC game (what a great win, we all loved it). So, please don't call me a fair weather Cal fan because that is unfair. I simply believe in rewarding good performance and withholding my support of a coach (like our current MBB) who is ..., nevernind.

FYI
Colorado QB Montez has been upgraded to probable for the game.
And his all world WR is healthy too.
I still think we should beat them and it should be a beautiful CLEAR fall day in Berkeley.
I wish I didn't have to work that day.
Best I can hope for is to see the end of the game after I get home.

Montez is streaky. When he's on fire he's as good as anyone in the conference

Anyone notice that in just about every game this decade where expectations are high and a win would take us to another level, we crap the bed in the first half and all hope disappears quickly?

I hope our coaches are ready for Colorado, our offense doesn't start the game painfully flat, and we don't make the kinds of mistakes that cause the aforementioned disappearance of hope.

510 Bear said:

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Anyone notice that in just about every game this decade where expectations are high and a win would take us to another level, we crap the bed in the first half and all hope disappears quickly?

I hope our coaches are ready for Colorado, our offense doesn't start the game painfully flat, and we don't make the kinds of mistakes that cause the aforementioned disappearance of hope.

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Didn't happen against U$C this year, although I take your point.

Totally agree about the importance of this one. I just hope we come out hot from the beginning and take away any doubt. Vegas still has us as fairly heavy favorites (-12), although some of the power ratings like Sagarin and FPI only have us favored by 5 and 7 points, respectively. We'll see. Go Bears!

It's not like the team has nothing to play for, the offense has a lot to prove. Run game, pass game. Everything. You could argue that the team still has no offensive identity after 10 games in. No one is talking about the stagnant offense anymore due to the victory over USC. I could easily see us lose this game by turning the ball over and not scoring which wouldn't be unusual for this offense.

510 Bear said:

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Anyone notice that in just about every game this decade where expectations are high and a win would take us to another level, we crap the bed in the first half and all hope disappears quickly?

I hope our coaches are ready for Colorado, our offense doesn't start the game painfully flat, and we don't make the kinds of mistakes that cause the aforementioned disappearance of hope.

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I expect our offense to come out flat since we score less than 20 pts per game in conference play. Even if our defense plays well as we expect them to, all it takes is one slip, one mistake, or broken coverage and we could find ourselves in hole that will be difficult to climb out of.

I have no expectations.

I'll be very surprised if we're not completely dialed in to this game. No mid-season lapses in focus now, it's all right there in front of us (as they say). But I hope we don't see them making mistakes for trying too hard.

good post calbear

I think every game is important regardless of record, but you forgot one more thing ... it's senior day, and although it's not the last home game, the parents will be here

kirklandblue said:

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I'll be very surprised if we're not completely dialed in to this game. No mid-season lapses in focus now, it's all right there in front of us (as they say). But I hope we don't see them making mistakes for trying too hard.

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Dialed in = we score 19?

82gradDLSdad said:

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kirklandblue said:

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I'll be very surprised if we're not completely dialed in to this game. No mid-season lapses in focus now, it's all right there in front of us (as they say). But I hope we don't see them making mistakes for trying too hard.

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.

Dialed in = we score 19?

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Tomorrow, we let it rip - score 20, = win

While things point to a low scoring affair, the contrarian view is it will be a relative high scoring deal. I'd guess Cal breaks 30 points and Colo scores twice, likely 10 pats.

People forget we've been without our top two wrs for awhile now (Duncan, noa)

If we can get everyone healthy, I think it'll make a big difference.

Remember not even arod could move the ball in the holiday bowl without any receivers.

Where are you in Rome? I'm currently looking out my window down at the Pantheon. We're supposed to hit the Colosseum tomorrow morning, but the forecast is calling for thunderstorms.

calbear80 said:

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* I bleed Blue and Gold. I have been following Cal sports and posting here while travelling in 10 different countries in Europe in the last 3 weeks alone. I'll wake up at 1 AM on Sunday morning in Rome to follow the Colorado game on the internet, just like I woke up at 3 AM in a National Park in the mountains of northern Montenegro to foloow the USC game (what a great win, we all loved it). So, please don't call me a fair weather Cal fan because that is unfair. I simply believe in rewarding good performance and withholding my support of a coach (like our current MBB) who is ..., nevernind.

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The Guy Who Can't Remember the Name of the Guy Hired By Mike Williams thinks that he's a fan. HA! Go back to the hole you crawled out of, nobody wants you here.

82gradDLSdad said:

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kirklandblue said:

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I'll be very surprised if we're not completely dialed in to this game. No mid-season lapses in focus now, it's all right there in front of us (as they say). But I hope we don't see them making mistakes for trying too hard.

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Dialed in = offense scores 19?

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FTFY

I took the under at 43

rkt88edmo said:

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82gradDLSdad said:

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kirklandblue said:

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I'll be very surprised if we're not completely dialed in to this game. No mid-season lapses in focus now, it's all right there in front of us (as they say). But I hope we don't see them making mistakes for trying too hard.

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Dialed in = offense scores 19?

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FTFY

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I like it. We score 33!

Players remember 2017 loss to Colorado that 'embarrassed' the Bears

Very encouraging quotes:

Quote:

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"We're playing a really talented Colorado team that, quite frankly, kicked our tails last year," said Cal defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter, who was named a semifinalist for the Broyles Award given the nation's top assistant coach. "Our guys are going to play with a little chip on their shoulders. They played very well a year ago and embarrassed our guys.

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Quote:

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"We couldn't stop them at all last year," Cal sophomore cornerback Camryn Bynum said. "We've kept that in the back of our heads all week."

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I hope the team is up for the game from get go. Otherwise, it is going to be a tough game.

Go Bears!

24-14 would be a blowout for our offense.

That SF Gate article also has an injury list which says of our original starting WRs:

Jordan Duncan: Probable (hasn't played since the first half of the Cal-Arizona game)
Vic Wharton III: Questionable
Kanawai Noa: Doubtful

(Moe Ways also Probable)

Good news on Duncan if true, bummer on Noa.

OneKeg said:

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That SF Gate article also has an injury list which says of our original starting WRs:

Jordan Duncan: Probable (hasn't played since the first half of the Cal-Arizona game)
Vic Wharton III: Questionable
Kanawai Noa: Doubtful

(Moe Ways also Probable)

Good news on Duncan if true, bummer on Noa.

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Noa's injury is undisclosed. Bowers thumb is still....injured, that's one major sore thumb.

BearsWiin said:

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Where are you in Rome? I'm currently looking out my window down at the Pantheon. We're supposed to hit the Colosseum tomorrow morning, but the forecast is calling for thunderstorms.

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I am in the Palatino Hill area of the Rome, two blocks from Colosseum, two blocks from the Forum and one block from Saint Peter In Chain Church. Awesome location!

I recommend you get out and see Rome. It may rain a little now and then, but, who cares. This morning I visited the Forum, Colosseum, San Clement Church and Saint Peter in Chain Church (amazing statue of Moses by Michael Angelo) followed by an Italian lunch. It was all awesome although it rained a little.

Tomorrow, I am visiting Pompeii, and if Cal Beats CU tonight, I will not need my bus because I will be flying up in the clouds!

Go Bears, Beat the Buffs!

calbear80 said:

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BearsWiin said:

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Where are you in Rome? I'm currently looking out my window down at the Pantheon. We're supposed to hit the Colosseum tomorrow morning, but the forecast is calling for thunderstorms.

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I am in the Palatino Hill area of the Rome, two blocks from Colosseum, two blocks from the Forum and one block from Saint Peter In Chain Church. Awesome location!

I recommend you get out and see Rome. It may rain a little now and then, but, who cares. This morning I visited the Forum, Colosseum, San Clement Church and Saint Peter in Chain Church (amazing statue of Moses by Michael Angelo) followed by an Italian lunch. It was all awesome although it rained a little.

Tomorrow, I am visiting Pompeii, and if Cal Beats CU tonight, I will not need my bus because I will be flying up in the clouds!

Go Bears, Beat the Buffs!

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We also went through the Colosseum and Forum this morning. I was the guy wearing the Cal cap. It rained intermittently, but it was nothing like sitting through the 2007 Cal-USC game, so we were all good.

510 Bear said:

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Anyone notice that in just about every game this decade where expectations are high and a win would take us to another level, we crap the bed in the first half and all hope disappears quickly?

I hope our coaches are ready for Colorado, our offense doesn't start the game painfully flat, and we don't make the kinds of mistakes that cause the aforementioned disappearance of hope.

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I hope the Cal players are ready mentally.
IMO these trap games come mostly from the players thinking they can just run on the field and the other team players will just fall down and surrender.
The players are just kids. They come to believe the media hype and the opposing team's "record". They don't always understand that you actually have to go out and EARN every win.

GivemTheAxe said:

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510 Bear said:

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Anyone notice that in just about every game this decade where expectations are high and a win would take us to another level, we crap the bed in the first half and all hope disappears quickly?

I hope our coaches are ready for Colorado, our offense doesn't start the game painfully flat, and we don't make the kinds of mistakes that cause the aforementioned disappearance of hope.

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I hope the Cal players are ready mentally.
IMO these trap games come mostly from the players thinking they can just run on the field and the other team players will just fall down and surrender.
The players are just kids. They come to believe the media hype and the opposing team's "record". They don't always understand that you actually have to go out and EARN every win.

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Hard to see this happening as:

1. It's senior day
2. They must be biting to play football again
3. They must realize that a good bowl game is on the line.
4. I will be in the stands a few beers down and screaming my butt off

hanky1 said:

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Montez is streaky. When he's on fire he's as good as anyone in the conference

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Yep. With him and their receiver back, this game concerns me. Cal had no answer for CU last year.

calbear80 said:

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BearsWiin said:

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Where are you in Rome? I'm currently looking out my window down at the Pantheon. We're supposed to hit the Colosseum tomorrow morning, but the forecast is calling for thunderstorms.

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I am in the Palatino Hill area of the Rome, two blocks from Colosseum, two blocks from the Forum and one block from Saint Peter In Chain Church. Awesome location!

I recommend you get out and see Rome. It may rain a little now and then, but, who cares. This morning I visited the Forum, Colosseum, San Clement Church and Saint Peter in Chain Church (amazing statue of Moses by Michael Angelo) followed by an Italian lunch. It was all awesome although it rained a little.

Tomorrow, I am visiting Pompeii, and if Cal Beats CU tonight, I will not need my bus because I will be flying up in the clouds!

Go Bears, Beat the Buffs!

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You said you had been in ex-Yu. Where did you stay in Ljubljana?

UrsaMajor said:

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calbear80 said:

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BearsWiin said:

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Where are you in Rome? I'm currently looking out my window down at the Pantheon. We're supposed to hit the Colosseum tomorrow morning, but the forecast is calling for thunderstorms.

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I am in the Palatino Hill area of the Rome, two blocks from Colosseum, two blocks from the Forum and one block from Saint Peter In Chain Church. Awesome location!

I recommend you get out and see Rome. It may rain a little now and then, but, who cares. This morning I visited the Forum, Colosseum, San Clement Church and Saint Peter in Chain Church (amazing statue of Moses by Michael Angelo) followed by an Italian lunch. It was all awesome although it rained a little.

Tomorrow, I am visiting Pompeii, and if Cal Beats CU tonight, I will not need my bus because I will be flying up in the clouds!

Go Bears, Beat the Buffs!

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You said you had been in ex-Yu. Where did you stay in Ljubljana?

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I stayed in Bled for two nights. Beautiful lake and beautiful scenery.

CAL WINS! CAL WINS!

LIFE IS GOOD.

Go Bears, Beat the Cardinal!