Idiots Write About Sports

“It says something about how far Cal’s come,” I said to the guy who sits behind me at Memorial Stadium, “that instead of being the patsy on someone else’s schedule, now we’re the ones scheduling the patsies.”

And sure enough, Cal managed to beat Division I-AA Sac State by 38 points. But what an unfulfilling blow-out it was. Not only is there little sport in beating a tiny school like a drum (at least Baylor and New Mexico State theoretically had a chance to beat Cal), but when you do it while playing poorly, it’s just not fun to watch.

Clearly the coaches felt this was a tune-up game, as evinced by the lack of hand-offs to Marshawn Lynch during new QB Joe Ayoob’s remarkably incompetent performance (0 for 10). Lynch, when he ran, ran as impressively as we’ve come to expect. It’s funny — at this point I think people expect Lynch to break it for a TD every time he touches the ball. Not fair, but you definitely feel the electricity when number 10 (offensive variety; linebacker Desmond Bishop shares the digits) takes the hand-off.

Freshman QB Nate Longshore had flashes of brilliance, but didn’t really look that great overall — until he broke his leg and was replaced by Oh-for-Ayoob and Steve Levy, who played fullback last year and managed three whole offensive touches. Levy actually threw a very nice 46-yard rainbow touchdown pass to Noah Smith, but otherwise really looked outclassed. His interception was quite ugly, a force job if ever there was one. But then again, he basically took no snaps this week in practice, because the QB competition was between Longshore and Ayoob.

Well, now Longshore is gone (it’s medical redshirt time!), so it’s Ayoob and Levy. Ayoob apparently completed numerous passes at SF City College, so presumably he will loosen up and play better next week in Seattle. And Levy will get some snaps, presumably, so he’ll be more prepared as a backup. But I’ve got to wonder: if the position continues to founder, would Tedford consider playing Kyle Reed, a touted freshman QB who has been expected to redshirt this year?

My wife and I are going to the game at UW next weekend; it’ll be my first Pac-10 road game ever, and although the seats will be cruddy, it should be a fun experience. Any Cal fan will tell you that a Tyrone Willingham-coached team is a frightfest. Cal’s never beaten him. And I suppose that after the loss to Air Force, the UW players and coaches will be keyed up for a big upset.

I have to admit, after seeing Cal’s quarterback play Saturday, I’m not sure if upset would be the right word for a UW victory. Let’s hope Lynch gets 30 rushing attempts next week.

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