Archive for Analysis
Combine/NFL Draft Links for Cal Prospects
I know some of you are chomping at the bit for Cal NFL prospects–this is a very talented class we’re letting go of. We can look at the rankings from the two sites who spend the most time compiling this decorum of data, Rivals and Scout (just for fun, we’ll add in Frank Cooney too). […]
Retrospection Evaluation–Stanford
They beat USC. They didn’t accomplish anything else. They lost to Notre Dame. The only other three wins came against Arizona, San Jose State and… You know what, we’re done here. I can’t rationally discuss this team without making me angry. YOU HEAR ME? (And now that we’re done with the unsuccessful teams, we’ll move […]
Retrospection Evaluation–Washington
Jake Locker should have invested heavily in health insurance if he knew Ty Willingham would turn him into a moving punching bag. The Huskies had the hardest schedule in Division I football and predictably were torn apart by season’s end. However, that did not stop the Huskies from losing games they should have won. Wins: […]
Home Jeers–Nate’s Travails, Part II
(Part I is here) Nate Longshore returned to Memorial Stadium with minimal fan support–many fans had placed the blame for the losses at his feet, although there was plenty to go around (poor run D, barest of run support from Forsett against powerful defenses in the Rose Bowl and the desert, fumbles, penalties, the like). […]
Retrospection Evaluation–Wazzu
I’m trying to think of why I have the Cougars ranked ahead of the Wildcats in terms of status and final standings. At least Arizona put up a fight in their losses–Bill Doba just got asskicked at every juncture. This is probably why he’s gone and Mike Stoops is still here. And it doesn’t get […]
Retrospection Evaluation–Arizona
For the fourth straight year, Mike Stoops stumbles out of the box–the Wildcats have started their 2004-07 campaigns a combined 6-23 (half of those wins coming against Northern Arizona). For the fourth straight year, Mike Stoops saves his hide with an absurd upset in the desert and crawls his way back to mediocre respectability (3-8, […]
Retrospection Evaluation–Louisiana Tech
I’m not exactly going chronologically–Tennessee will come later in the week–but let’s continue with this exercise of looking at our opponents. Wins: They beat Scottie Pippen’s alma mater (not a terribly good thing, considering they finished 6-5 in I-AA), and their remaining four wins in conference came by a combined 27 points to teams with […]
That Damned Ankle–Nate’s Travails, Part I
Most fans are in agreement: When Nate Longshore’s ankle bucked up in Eugene, so did Cal’s 2007 season. It led to Riley running for his life against the Beavers. It led to Longshore coming back too early to replace Riley, and sinking at the end of close, crucial games. It led to the endless Longshore-Riley […]
Retrospection Evaluation–Colorado State
Instead of talking about the Bears and their consistent underperforming these next two weeks, I’m going to move on for a bit. Let’s talk about teams that are right now worthy of my time and patience. Teams that have shown heart and spirit in the face of defeat. Teams that don’t bow down the moment […]
On Coaches
On the bright side, for the first time in many an offseason, we probably won’t have to worry about Tedford leaving us. It’s kind of ironic, because before the season started, 2008 seemed like the perfect time for him to jump to healthier pastures. His youngest son was graduating. The impending retirement of Lloyd Carr […]
