Idiots Write About Sports

This is the only Cal game I’m watching on television this entire year. I hate it. All I can do is sit and rock back and forth in frustration. The other two games I haven’t been to weren’t on TV. The next two games, I’m going to. Infuriating.

As I write this, Arizona has just scored a touchdown because the refs called pass interference on an absolutely perfect coverage interception in the end zone.

It’d sure be a shame if Cal lost this game because the terrible Pac-10 refs decided that defenders no longer have the same right to receive a pass as receivers…

Update: Okay, now Longshore has tossed a terrible interception that’s been run back for the touchdown. So we can now chalk this one up to terrible play by the offense, particularly Longshore, as well as the terrible call by the refs.

Update 2: Fourth and six at the 50, 5 minutes to go — you’ve got to make a stop either way. WHY ARE YOU PUNTING? And then, of course, a big return to make the punt even more pointless. One Arizona offensive play and all the punt yardage is erased. What a complete waste of time. I don’t understand why coaches think that it’s a better percentage play to give away a chance for a first down and for yourself to make a stop, rather than give yourself a chance and still force yourself to make a stop if you fail.

The Final Update: Full credit for Jackson for almost staying in bounds, but he absolutely stepped out. And full credit for the fight to the finish. Look, the Rose Bowl is the goal. Cal-USC is still for all the marbles. But still, how disappointing for Cal’s national image and ranking.

Embarrassing loss. This is the difference between powerhouse teams like Michigan, Ohio State, Texas and Cal. The other schools win the games they are supposed to win and Cal wins a few and loses a few. They were not prepared for Tennessee and they certainly were not prepared for Arizona today. They just went from being a program developing national respect to the Cal of old. Maybe one day this team will learn the difference between the ususal Cal Trash Talk and Bear Pride for a Winning Tradition. Shame on the Bears.

I agree with the previous comment... this was a HUGE step back for our program. I cannot see Cal bouncing back from this. I hope they prove me wrong. I'm going to next week's game and I fear it's going to be ugly.

Ugh.

Pretty embarrassing game all the way around. I don't think it's coincendental that Longshore has had two of his worst games on the road.

The pass interference call was horrible, but outside of Jackson, the Bears didn't do much to win. Including staying on their feet.

Posted by Marty at November 11, 2006 05:39 PM

Aw, nertz. *coincidental.

Posted by Marty at November 11, 2006 05:40 PM

I think it's a load of crap to say this is the "old Cal" and that other programs don't lose these games. USC lost to Oregon State. It happens... it's not fun, but this one loss doesn't define this year's Cal's team. I understand the desire to open a vein tonight better than anyone, but I think that's completely losing perspective about the team and the program.

Hey, look at me, I'm being positive. What the hell happened there?

Posted by Jason at November 11, 2006 07:14 PM

"This is the difference between powerhouse teams like Michigan, Ohio State, Texas and Cal."

Yes, because Texas would never lose to a team it should beat handily like Kansas State.

Or maybe I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.

I hope you're right Jason.

Come on guys... don't panic! Walk yourself back to the emotions you had the evening after the Tennessee debacle. Remember how stupid those thoughts were. Yes Arizona was a horrible loss. But a win next week will render it all mute.

Tedford's blind loyalty to the pass, even in the face of a obviously flailing Longshore, has come to bite us in the butt again. I thought he got over that this year. Arizona was not stuffing our running game, and we never got the inside/outside rhythm going with our two backs. This is a problem that has to get fixed. We also don't pass over the middle, which is a very useful when you have a blitzing defense that overpursues the screen.

I am tired of hearing talking heads say that Cal "looked past Arizona" - that isn't it at all. We just came with a game plan than didn't adjust to the game. When your QB is having an off day, and you have one of the most prolific backfields in school history...RUN THE FRIKKEN BALL!

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