In the latest episode of Elite Athletes TV, Mike Pawlawski and Cal sideline reporter Todd McKim address the confusion surrounding this year’s Pac-12 football season, and specifically what went wrong in the Cal-UCLA game.
With UCLA having already played a strong second half against Colorado the week before, not having to travel despite short notice, McKim thinks that they were in a better position to succeed on Sunday.
“The Bears are kinda stuck,” said McKim. “They’re gonna go on the road and travel on Saturday then wake up at 4:45 in the morning and play a road game. Without your defensive line having scrimmaged, your offensive line hasn’t scrimmaged. Nobody’s gone 11 on 11 for 12 days. It’s kind of an impossible situation and it proved to be the case on the very first series when the Bears get a blocked punt, they’re in great position to score and they go a total of three yards in six plays. You kinda got the hint at that point that maybe they don’t have things all together right now.”
Pawlawski concurred.
“It’s not just that you haven’t game planned because both teams go in without a game-plan so, okay whoever figures out Xs and Os gets it done, but you literally haven’t hit in the pit for two weeks. Your pad level is awful, your technique is awful, you haven’t gone head-to-head, which throws off linebackers. They don’t know where to read because they’re not used to it. Offensive linemen don’t get to hit and don’t get to work scoop blocks, they don’t get to work tandems, they don’t get to do any of that and so you step into UCLA and it’s your first live go. In two weeks, it’s impossible.”
Mike Pawlawski is a Cal Hall of Famer and 11-year pro QB who spent time in the NFL, CFL, and XFL. As the current color commentator for Cal football, Mike offers inside knowledge on football mechanics, Golden Bears football, and other Pac-12 teams.
For more from Pawlawski, use the embedded link below.
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