Page 2 of 4
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:26 pm
by The Seer
Killian wrote:The Seer wrote:FTFY-NC
My post didn't need to be fixed.
Fine.
"Edited for accuracy"
Still, NC
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:45 pm
by Killian
Didn't need to be edited for accuracy, either. Out of the top 6 confrences, top to bottom, the Pac 10 is at best fourth, but more likely fifth, when it comes to total quality. The SEC, Big 10, Big 12 and ACC are tougher confrences. I know you are going to run out the stats that were posted last week, and go ahead and do so. But it doesn't change that when look at the confrences, the SEC has Georgia/LSU, Big 10 has Michigan/Ohio State, Big 12 has OU/Texas, ACC has FSU/Miami and the Pac 10 has USC/?
Who is the second best team from the Pac 10? Do they have a shot at any of those teams? We all know USC does. Even better, look at the bottom of each confrence and see who has better quality of teams. The Pac 10 as a whole is not a tough confrence.
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 4:00 pm
by Dinsdale
SoCalTrjn wrote:over the last 5 years, the Pac 10 is 6-2 head to head vs the SEC
Don't confuse them with facts. If they say the SEC is the bomb, you'll just have to take their word for it.
I'm sure there's a perfectly logical messageboard explaination for why they get routinely whooped by a conference that is obviously so much worse.
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:21 pm
by SoCalTrjn
Killian wrote:Didn't need to be edited for accuracy, either. Out of the top 6 confrences, top to bottom, the Pac 10 is at best fourth, but more likely fifth, when it comes to total quality. The SEC, Big 10, Big 12 and ACC are tougher confrences. I know you are going to run out the stats that were posted last week, and go ahead and do so. But it doesn't change that when look at the confrences, the SEC has Georgia/LSU, Big 10 has Michigan/Ohio State, Big 12 has OU/Texas, ACC has FSU/Miami and the Pac 10 has USC/?
Who is the second best team from the Pac 10? Do they have a shot at any of those teams? We all know USC does. Even better, look at the bottom of each confrence and see who has better quality of teams. The Pac 10 as a whole is not a tough confrence.
So youre saying that Vandy can beat Zona?
The difference between the Pac and some of the other conferences is that everyone in the Pac has been good in the last 10 years. 70% of the Pac 10 teams have played in BCS Bowls, what other conference can come close to that?
Arizona is easily the Pac 10's worst team but they were 12-1 in 1998. Since 2000 the Pac 10 has done better in BCS bowls and head to head matchups with other BCS conferenes than any of the other BCS conferences have done, theyre not the 4th or 5th best conference, they are at least equal to any other conference out there.
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:33 pm
by JayDuck
Killian wrote: But it doesn't change that when look at the confrences, the SEC has Georgia/LSU, Big 10 has Michigan/Ohio State, Big 12 has OU/Texas, ACC has FSU/Miami and the Pac 10 has USC/?
Who is the second best team from the Pac 10? Do they have a shot at any of those teams? We all know USC does. Even better, look at the bottom of each confrence and see who has better quality of teams. The Pac 10 as a whole is not a tough confrence.
The Pac-10's second best team is not always the same like in those confences...Hell, the first best team isn't (USC isn't going to dominate forever). That doesn't make the conference any worse.
Does the second best team from the Pac-10 have a shot at those teams? Oregon beat Michigan just the year before last, when Michigan was the Big-10 Champ. And Oregon wasn't even the second best team in the Pac-10 that year (finished 3rd). So I'd say, Yes, a Pac-10 2nd place team "has a chance" against those teams. Arizona State beat Iowa a few years ago also...and ASU finished in 3rd or 4th in the Pac-10 that year. Oregon State (Pac-10 4th place) came within a missed xtra point of beating LSU last year. Hell, just a few years ago Texas lost to a Stanford team that went 3-5 in the Pac-10.
Quality at the bottom is not a comparison. As bad as some teams can get, like Arizona or Washington right now, we don't have continual bottom feeders like Vandy, Baylor, Duke, Kansas etc...
Yes, people are more comfortable knowing which teams are going to be the best in a conference year in and year out. People are more comfortable saying knowing it's going to be Ohio St./Michigan in the Big 10, or Oklahoma/Texas in the Big 12.
People like to think they know who is "good" before a season starts and when teams come up and play unexpectedly good or bad, they seldom recognize that as actually being a good team and instead find ways to rationalize the play as a fluke. The Pac-10 is a bad conference for predicting who is going to be the best teams in any given year, but the records show that, whoever the good teams are, can play with anybody, no matter what name is on the jersey that year.
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:05 pm
by MgoBlue-LightSpecial
Last year the Pac 10 put up a dismal 4-8 record vs the major conferences, with the Big Ten being the only conference the Pac 10 had a winning record against (3 games to 2). The Big 12 trounced the Pac 10 last year 4 games to 1.
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:14 pm
by JayDuck
And despite a bad year, we still have the best record against BCS conference teams this century.
If one bad season makes a bad conference, then there isn't a single good conference out there.
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:31 pm
by Dinsdale
RACK Mgo. Since he's the first anti-Pac10 guy to actually bring some sort of facts to the table. They didn't do anything to support his argument, but at least he brought some.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:05 am
by SoCalTrjn
"cuz my daddy said ya'll dont play no good football"
isnt a fact????
well then the SEC homers just lost their entire case
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:47 am
by T REX
Killian wrote:It's sad that the reason you post this isn't to point out the overall strength or weakness of USC's schedule, it's because you want a built in excuse for your man-crush Urban if he goes 7-5 this year.
Good teams are good teams no matter who they play. The last two years USC has beaten almost every team placed before them and kicked the shit out of two highly ranked teams in their bowls. It wouldn't matter if they played all high school teams this year, it likely wouldn't change the result. Yes the Pac-10 overall is one of the weaker confrences, but USC would still run through the schedule of any top 10 team and come out undefeated or only 1 loss.
That is total bullshit and you know it. How is it the same to play FOUR teams in the top 14 and NONE in the top 14?????? Are you really trying to say that actually playing elite teams is the same as playing Cals and Fresnos????? You may completely hate my guts but to come out and throw some BS line that good teams are good teams no matter what is ridiculous. That is why we play the game. If USC is going to win no matter what then why play? Give me a break. This is my argument. Who does USC play? They have no tests like OU or Auburn or OSU? I cannot even believe you said such an awful statment. Are you realyl going to say that playing a shit schedule doesn't matter??????
Un-fucking-believable.
It's fucking Lord of the Flies in here.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:50 am
by T REX
SoCalTrjn wrote:over the last 5 years, the Pac 10 is 6-2 head to head vs the SEC trex gonna go M2 and say that scores dont count?
Youd have to go all the way back to the 80's in order for the SEC to have a winning record head to head vs the Pac
Please roll out the teams and dates and we'll go through em.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:27 am
by SoCalTrjn
Sept 2, 2000 UCLA 35 Alabama 24 in Pasadena
Sept 1, 2001 UCLA 20 Alabama 17 in Tuscaloosa
Aug 31, 2002 Oregon 36 Miss St 13 in Eugene
Sept 2, 2002 USC 24 Auburn 17 in Los Angeles
Aug 30, 2003 Oregon 42 Miss St 34 in Starkville
Aug 30, 2003 USC 23 Auburn 0 in Auburn
Sept 6, 2003 LSU 59 Arizona 13 in Tuscon
Sept 4, 2004 LSU 22 Oregon St 21 in Baton Rouge
8 games, 4 on the road and 4 at home, the Pac 10 won 75% of them
dont give me any shit about Florida or Georgia not being represented, we already know those schools are too big of pussies to travel to play a game
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:15 am
by buckeye_in_sc
^^^^^
what you'll prolly get now is:
bama sucked, that was before auburn was great (although the year SC beat Auburn that was the year everyone had auburn pre-season #1 and they promptly went out and lost their first two games to SC and Ga Tech only scoring like 7 points or something like that), and of course MSU is garbage...although they beat FLA...
but LSU is the shining star...that is what you will get...
as far a T-Bitch and your Nortwestern comment...I seem to recall NW winning 5 games last year and being pretty competitive in recent years and of course making a couple of Rose Bowls...when was the last time MSU made it to a BCS game? when was the last time MSU won a SEC title? Face Tard FLA sucks major monkey cack and you are not worthy of your preseason ranking...
well at least babs is starting to gain some ground on you and m2 for biggest board tard...
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:26 pm
by MuchoBulls
T REX wrote:That is total bullshit and you know it. How is it the same to play FOUR teams in the top 14 and NONE in the top 14?????? Are you really trying to say that actually playing elite teams is the same as playing Cals and Fresnos????? You may completely hate my guts but to come out and throw some BS line that good teams are good teams no matter what is ridiculous. That is why we play the game. If USC is going to win no matter what then why play? Give me a break. This is my argument. Who does USC play? They have no tests like OU or Auburn or OSU? I cannot even believe you said such an awful statment. Are you realyl going to say that playing a shit schedule doesn't matter??????
It's also a bit of bullshit to base your schedule off preseason rankings. Any team can move up or down throughout the season. UF's schedule could be enhanced if FSU is undefeated, or it could be hurt if FSU has 2 or 3 losses by late November. Same holds tru for every other team in the country.
USC does have tests with Arizona State and California. I believe both of those games are on the road. California beat USC last time the Trojans played in Berkley, so that IS a test. Arizona State will be a good team as well.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:27 pm
by Killian
My point, you Urban-cum guzzling-tard, is that when you are as good as USC is right now, it doesn't matter who the fuck they play. They could line up the top 11 in the country right now, they would have a pretty good shot of beating the piss out of every team. How do I know? Name the last non-confrence game that was close for USC. ND? Kicked the shit out of them by 31 points 3 straight year. OU in the National Championship game? Blow out. Michigan in the Rose Bowl? Trounced. Va Tech? First game of the season, pulled away with a victory. Auburn? Beat them two straight years. Iowa in a BCS game? Wiped the field with them.
What more does USC have to prove to you or the rest of the country? They beat whom ever is placed before them. So, does it matter who USC plays right now? Not really. The games might be more competitive, but the Pac-10 has given them tougher games than their non-confrence opponents. Have you seen what happens when USC gets "up" for a game? They destroy people. The best chance to beat them is to have a team they may over look catch them on a down day.
So again, you want to throw this out there about playing a tough schedule so you have a built in excuse for your boy Urban. Grow a fucking pair, stop bitching about other teams schedules and learn yours.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:59 pm
by MgoBlue-LightSpecial
Dinsdale wrote:RACK Mgo. Since he's the first anti-Pac10 guy to actually bring some sort of facts to the table. They didn't do anything to support his argument, but at least he brought some.
Of course not. Why would the
most recent possible facts be relevant enough for Dinsdale? I don't see how bringing up stats from 5 to 10 + seasons ago would have any relevance to the state of conference play today.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:48 pm
by PSUFAN
The system we have is dispicable, in that there are so many off-field factors that play into the fate of an undefeated football team and their opportunity to be recognized as "champs". Through the vagaries of scheduling, a team may emerge from the regular season totally untested, and a team may emerge with losses, but there is no way for these teams to be matched.
I like the scenarios in which there is an extra game AFTER the BCS, to match the teams that always seem to have valid claims to the title.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:35 pm
by The Seer
Killian wrote:My point, you Urban-cum guzzling-tard, is that when you are as good as USC is right now, it doesn't matter who the fuck they play. They could line up the top 11 in the country right now, they would have a pretty good shot of beating the piss out of every team. How do I know? Name the last non-confrence game that was close for USC. ND? Kicked the shit out of them by 31 points 3 straight year. OU in the National Championship game? Blow out. Michigan in the Rose Bowl? Trounced. Va Tech? First game of the season, pulled away with a victory. Auburn? Beat them two straight years. Iowa in a BCS game? Wiped the field with them.
What more does USC have to prove to you or the rest of the country? They beat whom ever is placed before them. So, does it matter who USC plays right now? Not really. The games might be more competitive, but the Pac-10 has given them tougher games than their non-confrence opponents. Have you seen what happens when USC gets "up" for a game? They destroy people. The best chance to beat them is to have a team they may over look catch them on a down day.
So again, you want to throw this out there about playing a tough schedule so you have a built in excuse for your boy Urban. Grow a fucking pair, stop bitching about other teams schedules and learn yours.
Couldn't have said it better myself. :wink:
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:40 pm
by Jimmy Medalions
Trix has gone m2 on us.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:16 pm
by SoCalTrjn
Killian wrote:My point, you Urban-cum guzzling-tard, is that when you are as good as USC is right now, it doesn't matter who the fuck they play. They could line up the top 11 in the country right now, they would have a pretty good shot of beating the piss out of every team. How do I know? Name the last non-confrence game that was close for USC. ND? Kicked the shit out of them by 31 points 3 straight year. OU in the National Championship game? Blow out. Michigan in the Rose Bowl? Trounced. Va Tech? First game of the season, pulled away with a victory. Auburn? Beat them two straight years. Iowa in a BCS game? Wiped the field with them.
What more does USC have to prove to you or the rest of the country? They beat whom ever is placed before them. So, does it matter who USC plays right now? Not really. The games might be more competitive, but the Pac-10 has given them tougher games than their non-confrence opponents. Have you seen what happens when USC gets "up" for a game? They destroy people. The best chance to beat them is to have a team they may over look catch them on a down day.
So again, you want to throw this out there about playing a tough schedule so you have a built in excuse for your boy Urban. Grow a fucking pair, stop bitching about other teams schedules and learn yours.
best post by a ND fan ever
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:19 pm
by Jimmy Medalions
Killian, what would happen if I posted your epic take on ND Nation ?
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:20 pm
by SoCalTrjn
Priests would come knock on his door?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:49 pm
by T REX
SoCalTrjn wrote:Sept 2, 2000 UCLA 35 Alabama 24 in Pasadena
Sept 1, 2001 UCLA 20 Alabama 17 in Tuscaloosa
Aug 31, 2002 Oregon 36 Miss St 13 in Eugene
Sept 2, 2002 USC 24 Auburn 17 in Los Angeles
Aug 30, 2003 Oregon 42 Miss St 34 in Starkville
Aug 30, 2003 USC 23 Auburn 0 in Auburn
Sept 6, 2003 LSU 59 Arizona 13 in Tuscon
Sept 4, 2004 LSU 22 Oregon St 21 in Baton Rouge
8 games, 4 on the road and 4 at home, the Pac 10 won 75% of them
dont give me any shit about Florida or Georgia not being represented, we already know those schools are too big of pussies to travel to play a game
That's is funny......no UGA, no UF, no Tenn????????
Yeah, you got me there. You say it yourself.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:49 pm
by T REX
buckeye_in_sc wrote:^^^^^
what you'll prolly get now is:
bama sucked, that was before auburn was great (although the year SC beat Auburn that was the year everyone had auburn pre-season #1 and they promptly went out and lost their first two games to SC and Ga Tech only scoring like 7 points or something like that), and of course MSU is garbage...although they beat FLA...
but LSU is the shining star...that is what you will get...
as far a T-Bitch and your Nortwestern comment...I seem to recall NW winning 5 games last year and being pretty competitive in recent years and of course making a couple of Rose Bowls...when was the last time MSU made it to a BCS game? when was the last time MSU won a SEC title? Face Tard FLA sucks major monkey cack and you are not worthy of your preseason ranking...
well at least babs is starting to gain some ground on you and m2 for biggest board tard...
They won 5 whole fucking games? My bad.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:51 pm
by T REX
MuchoBulls wrote:T REX wrote:That is total bullshit and you know it. How is it the same to play FOUR teams in the top 14 and NONE in the top 14?????? Are you really trying to say that actually playing elite teams is the same as playing Cals and Fresnos????? You may completely hate my guts but to come out and throw some BS line that good teams are good teams no matter what is ridiculous. That is why we play the game. If USC is going to win no matter what then why play? Give me a break. This is my argument. Who does USC play? They have no tests like OU or Auburn or OSU? I cannot even believe you said such an awful statment. Are you realyl going to say that playing a shit schedule doesn't matter??????
It's also a bit of bullshit to base your schedule off preseason rankings. Any team can move up or down throughout the season. UF's schedule could be enhanced if FSU is undefeated, or it could be hurt if FSU has 2 or 3 losses by late November. Same holds tru for every other team in the country.
USC does have tests with Arizona State and California. I believe both of those games are on the road. California beat USC last time the Trojans played in Berkley, so that IS a test. Arizona State will be a good team as well.
A test? One fucking test? And one good team? That is fucking pathetic. It is quite sad to see you guys get bent. Your hatred for me has clouded your judgments.....but it is funny to see you guys insult away. A bunch of fucking kids. Awwww.........sorry to mess up your little party but one test and one good team? That is your comeback? Please read your shit and get back to me.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:54 pm
by T REX
Killian wrote:My point, you Urban-cum guzzling-tard, is that when you are as good as USC is right now, it doesn't matter who the fuck they play. They could line up the top 11 in the country right now, they would have a pretty good shot of beating the piss out of every team. How do I know? Name the last non-confrence game that was close for USC. ND? Kicked the shit out of them by 31 points 3 straight year. OU in the National Championship game? Blow out. Michigan in the Rose Bowl? Trounced. Va Tech? First game of the season, pulled away with a victory. Auburn? Beat them two straight years. Iowa in a BCS game? Wiped the field with them.
What more does USC have to prove to you or the rest of the country? They beat whom ever is placed before them. So, does it matter who USC plays right now? Not really. The games might be more competitive, but the Pac-10 has given them tougher games than their non-confrence opponents. Have you seen what happens when USC gets "up" for a game? They destroy people. The best chance to beat them is to have a team they may over look catch them on a down day.
So again, you want to throw this out there about playing a tough schedule so you have a built in excuse for your boy Urban. Grow a fucking pair, stop bitching about other teams schedules and learn yours.
BUWAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for helping me with my point and just answer the fucking question without trying to insult me. Is it easier to get up for ONE game or FIVE......you tell me.
PS You are acting like a 17 year old. Urban-gay-smack? What's next? A mom crack or let me guess.....some trailer park joke? Get some new material or grow up. I tried to have a discussion but you guys just don't know when.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:56 pm
by SoCalTrjn
T REX wrote:SoCalTrjn wrote:Sept 2, 2000 UCLA 35 Alabama 24 in Pasadena
Sept 1, 2001 UCLA 20 Alabama 17 in Tuscaloosa
Aug 31, 2002 Oregon 36 Miss St 13 in Eugene
Sept 2, 2002 USC 24 Auburn 17 in Los Angeles
Aug 30, 2003 Oregon 42 Miss St 34 in Starkville
Aug 30, 2003 USC 23 Auburn 0 in Auburn
Sept 6, 2003 LSU 59 Arizona 13 in Tuscon
Sept 4, 2004 LSU 22 Oregon St 21 in Baton Rouge
8 games, 4 on the road and 4 at home, the Pac 10 won 75% of them
dont give me any shit about Florida or Georgia not being represented, we already know those schools are too big of pussies to travel to play a game
That's is funny......no UGA, no UF, no Tenn????????
Yeah, you got me there. You say it yourself.
Obviously we have shown that UGA, and UF are too cowardly to play a home and home with Pac 10 teams.... the last time UGA left the south to play a game was 40 years ago.
You cant bash Pac 10 teams for beating what SEC temas have the balls to play them, all SEC teams are invited, only a few have the guts to step up
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 12:42 am
by T REX
SoCalTrjn wrote:T REX wrote:SoCalTrjn wrote:Sept 2, 2000 UCLA 35 Alabama 24 in Pasadena
Sept 1, 2001 UCLA 20 Alabama 17 in Tuscaloosa
Aug 31, 2002 Oregon 36 Miss St 13 in Eugene
Sept 2, 2002 USC 24 Auburn 17 in Los Angeles
Aug 30, 2003 Oregon 42 Miss St 34 in Starkville
Aug 30, 2003 USC 23 Auburn 0 in Auburn
Sept 6, 2003 LSU 59 Arizona 13 in Tuscon
Sept 4, 2004 LSU 22 Oregon St 21 in Baton Rouge
8 games, 4 on the road and 4 at home, the Pac 10 won 75% of them
dont give me any shit about Florida or Georgia not being represented, we already know those schools are too big of pussies to travel to play a game
That's is funny......no UGA, no UF, no Tenn????????
Yeah, you got me there. You say it yourself.
Obviously we have shown that UGA, and UF are too cowardly to play a home and home with Pac 10 teams.... the last time UGA left the south to play a game was 40 years ago.
You cant bash Pac 10 teams for beating what SEC temas have the balls to play them, all SEC teams are invited, only a few have the guts to step up
Please show proof where UGA-UF-UT refused to play Pac-10 schools. Otherwise, it just some BS comment YOU made up. Come on, show me? Show actual proof besides what's in your dome or come correct and admit you made it up. Damn, this board gets worse and worse every year.
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 12:46 am
by T REX
How about this.....let's reverse it?
What other teams in the top 15 would go undefeated with USC's schedule this year?
Texas? Michigan? OSU? Iowa? Lousiville?
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 12:56 am
by buckeye_in_sc
T REX wrote:
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:49 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SoCalTrjn wrote:
Sept 2, 2000 UCLA 35 Alabama 24 in Pasadena
Sept 1, 2001 UCLA 20 Alabama 17 in Tuscaloosa
Aug 31, 2002 Oregon 36 Miss St 13 in Eugene
Sept 2, 2002 USC 24 Auburn 17 in Los Angeles
Aug 30, 2003 Oregon 42 Miss St 34 in Starkville
Aug 30, 2003 USC 23 Auburn 0 in Auburn
Sept 6, 2003 LSU 59 Arizona 13 in Tuscon
Sept 4, 2004 LSU 22 Oregon St 21 in Baton Rouge
8 games, 4 on the road and 4 at home, the Pac 10 won 75% of them
dont give me any shit about Florida or Georgia not being represented, we already know those schools are too big of pussies to travel to play a game
That's is funny......no UGA, no UF, no Tenn????????
Yeah, you got me there. You say it yourself.
Hate to say it I told you so...no UF, no Tenn, no UGA...that's right those teams are too busy playing Middle Tenn State, Georgia Southern, etc
look fucktard...NW won 5 games...how many did Mississippi State win? Yeah beat the fucking 1 win team before you talk shit...
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:09 am
by T REX
How about this.....let's reverse it?
What other teams in the top 15 would go undefeated with USC's schedule this year?
Texas? Michigan? OSU? Iowa? Lousiville?
buck: Uh, try to at least stay on topic? Why do keep bringing UF into every post? It's pretty immature or obsessive? It's funny, you guys are so easy. Start a thread about USC and watch the fellas go out of their way to include UF and SEC insults the whole way. It's like a book I already read. Are you guys even maturing on the outside world or are you just stuck inside here? After all the insults do you think these few come close? Sorry, but this joke is on you.
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:14 am
by T REX
I mean who can compete with 'fucktard' and urban cum guzzling-TARD......you guys have 'tard' down. Interchangeable that word, 'tard'. Amazing use of the vocab guys. I look forward to your next verbose triumph.
I see all the new recruits you have too. I mean who wouldn't want to talk football with mature studs who have completely mastered the use of the word 'tard'. Carry on.
Re: USC's schedule with the latest polls
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 3:34 am
by M2
T REX wrote: Cal?
NCAA Football Preview - California Golden Bears
From The Sports Network
By Brian Mason, College Football Staff Writer
2004 SEASON IN REVIEW: The Golden Bears have going bowling the last two seasons, including last year when they won an amazing 10 games (10-2) and finished 7-1 in the Pac-10. If not for the National Championship USC Trojans being in the conference, the Bears would have come away with the league crown and been sitting pretty in the Rose Bowl. Instead the Bears were given a raw deal and found themselves stuck in the uninspiring Holiday Bowl. California's disappointment in getting overlooked after their impressive campaign left the Bears in a rough spot mentally and it showed when they were trounced 45-31 by Texas Tech in the bowl matchup. Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed a remarkable 66.1 percent of his passes and threw for 2,566 yards, 24 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. One of the most efficient passers in college football, Rodgers had the luxury of having arguably the Pac-10's top receiving corps and a tailback in J.J. Arrington who led the nation in rushing with 2,018 rushing yards and 15 scores.
2005 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: Finding a suitable replacement for star quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going to be a major undertaking for coach Jeff Tedford and the Bears. Fortunately there is no better mentor to a quarterback in the nation than Tedford, who has guided some of the most successful signal callers in college football history. Now he will try to mold either juco transfer Joseph Ayoob or redshirt freshman Nathan Longshore into the next great passer that has followed his success to stardom and hopefully for one or both of them a hefty NFL contract, which Rodgers and former Cal quarterback Kyle Boller were both rewarded with after graduating from Berkeley. Ayoob is leading the battle to win the starting nod under center, as he is proving to be strong, accurate and an outstanding athlete. Longshore is more of a pocket passer and still might need one more year to sit back in the offense before taking over and possibly breaking all of the school's passing records. The Bears lost talented wideouts Geoff McArthur and Chase Lyman but youngsters DeSean Jackson (freshman) and Lavelle Hawkins (sophomore) could be even better this season than the aforementioned tandem was last year. The running back situation has been left in great hands and although trying to replace a 2,000-yard rusher is a monumental task, sophomore Marshawn Lynch has the talent to do it, after averaging a whopping 8.8 yards per carry in 2004.
DEFENSE: Many knew that the Bears were going to be a dominant offensive team in 2004, but few predicted they would be as good as they were on defense, ranking second in the nation in run defense and eighth in scoring defense. Unfortunately that may not be the case again in 2005 or at least right off the bat, as only three starters return on this side of the ball for Cal. Inexperience will be evident to start the year, but the Bears have the talent to once again be a force containing the run and forcing opponents into costly turnovers. The defensive line is littered with playmakers, including defensive end Tosh Lupoi who is back for his sixth year in Berkeley after missing all of last season with a foot injury. Juco transfers Mickey Pimentel and Desmond Bishop will likely win the two of the starting linebacker spots for the Bears with both players having superb speed and closing ability. Ryan Foltz is not nearly as athletic as Bishop and Pimentel, but he is a space eater and could be better than most expect. The secondary was a sore spot for Cal in 2004, but it could be an area of strength this year. Harrison Smith and Daymeion Hughes will be that much better at the corners and Donnie McCleskey is healthy once again, which could mean All-American honors are again in his future.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Sophomore Tom Schneider was awful in his freshman campaign, making a mere 9-of-16 field goal attempts. In fact, his accuracy problems and inconsistently could lead to Tedford trying Tony Binswanger at placekicker. David Lonie, who is not going to scare anyone with his leg, will remain the punter and should improve on his average of 40.1 ypp and his 21 punts placed inside the 20-yard line.
OUTLOOK: Almost any other program in college football would be in major trouble if it lost the likes of Rodgers, Arrington, McArthur, defensive end Ryan Riddle and their top four tacklers from a year ago, but that just isn't the case for the ultra deep Bears. Tedford knows how to tutor his quarterbacks and is one of the most prolific offensive minds in all of football. He will have this offense among the best once again in the country and don't be surprised if Lynch takes a shot at rushing for 2,000 yards as he is just that talented. The defense is going to be explosive and ball hawking once again, which also takes some of the pressure off an offense that will have an unproven commodity under center.
If the Bears aren't in the top 10 and 9-0 coming into their November 12 matchup with USC, it will be a major disappointment for Cal. The only game that could be a trap for the Bears coming into that highly anticipated matchup is a road tilt against the Oregon Ducks a week prior in Eugene. The Trojans are still the team to beat in the Pac-10, but Cal is hot on their heels and should finish at worst in third place in the league standings.
08/22 09:33:12 ET
m2
Re: USC's schedule with the latest polls
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 3:39 am
by Jimmy Medalions
m2 wrote:T REX wrote: Cal?
If the Bears aren't in the top 10 and 9-0 coming into their November 12 matchup with USC, it will be a major disappointment for Cal.
You know your team sucks when their only goal is beating
one team.
Ask Texas Tech.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Re: USC's schedule with the latest polls
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 3:53 am
by M2
Jimmy Medalions wrote:m2 wrote:T REX wrote: Cal?
If the Bears aren't in the top 10 and 9-0 coming into their November 12 matchup with USC, it will be a major disappointment for Cal.
You know your team sucks when their only goal is beating
one team.
Ask Texas Tech.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Is there another team in college football that needs to be beat???
To be #1???
It's not like it hasn't been done before.... :twisted:
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
the truth
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 3:57 am
by Jimmy Medalions
RACK m2! We've got HUGE BODE as well!!
Sin,
San Diego YMCA
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:04 am
by Cross Traffic
It was their Xmas gift to the Y....lol
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:15 am
by M2
Cal and $C's last loss!!!! :twisted:
Cal owns $C
m2
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:23 am
by PSUFAN
please...not with the player porn again, eh?
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:30 am
by Cross Traffic
We have BODE on Kal!!! 2-0 baby!!!
Signed,
Alameda Coast Guard