The Benson Blog - I Miss That Energy

I reference October 13, 2007 often. Some of y’all were barely alive back then, but some of us had really been living. That’s because Cal football was #2 in the country and on that day we were playing Oregon State at home for a chance to become the #1 ranked football program in the country. Like I said, living. 

I watched the game from the NYC Cal bar as Riley (look him up) performed the most doomed scramble in college football history, keeping the clock running as he was tackled in-bounds, and ruining our chances at taking the #1 spot. I’d never felt anything like it as the clock turned from 1 to 0 and I realized we just lost everything to the coddamn BEAVERS. I ordered my seventh tequila and sipped slowly as I stared down at a man who was literally sitting on the ground crying in a puddle of beer. Cal was DOWN BAD.

Consider that we were only “down bad” at the time because we were expected to be one of the very best teams in America. Our expectations matched the moment. Bruh wasn’t crying in a curdling pool of Guinness because Cal lost. He was crying because he was sure Cal would win and Guinness is kinda nasty.  

I like that energy. I miss that energy. I’m ready to bring it back. 

Cal football is on the rise, even with their 4-4 record at the bye week, but the corner hasn’t quite been turned yet. Maybe next season we’ll win these games we keep losing by slim margins and the program will return to national glory. But in the meantime, what about Cal Basketball? When can we enter a season with the same level of hype and expectation that we bring to Football? When can we demand wins or we threaten to sit in Guinness?

We used to have people jockeying for that one seat at the top of Haas like it was a precious resource. We had folks camping out for days before sold-out Stanford games. We had pro talent up and down the roster. When I write it out, it almost feels like folklore, or myth or something.

BACK IN THE DAYS OF YORE

THE SEASONS 03 AND 04

THE BENCH DEMANDED WE WERE MORE

AND THEN WE RUN UP THE SCORE

Or something. I just whipped that up. Don’t come for my iambic pentameter. 

Regardless, If you listened to my last podcast, I mentioned that I think we can finish top 6 in the ACC. I would like to take the time to acknowledge I am aware of how crazy that sounds. I’m aware that we’re picked to finish 16th out of 18 by the media. I’m aware that very few media members will agree with me.

But I’m also aware that a little bit of pressure can be just what a team needs to go to the next level. I won’t be happy if we finish 14th and I’m not gonna keep that secret. I'll be happy if we finish top 8, and I’m gonna hit the Rick Flair Woo if we make the Top 6. This is the new world. The world where Cal has the talent, coaching, and support to create an expectation of excellence. 

If we don’t hit my goals and the team has a disappointing season, douse me in the Guinness because I will have put my name and heart on the line. I will be sad. I’m ok with that. I’m ready to get hurt again. But if we do, douse me in champagne and put on “Texts Go Green” because I’ll have a lot to celebrate. That’s the energy I’m ready to bring back. Let’s do it.