A little light at the end of the tunnel

In reviewing the rankings, schedules, and other predictions, it is clear that Cal can still make the BCS and possibly the Rose Bowl.

I think the only thing that happened this week was that Cal was dropped from National Title consideration.  Had we won, we would have been in the top 7, most likely.  Beating Arizona State would have probably brought us into the top 5 or 4.  We would have been back in the thick of it, going into the USC game.  That would have been fun.

Now, we need others to lose.  Frankly, the top teams in the conference, UCLA, Arizona State, USC, Oregon and Cal all have the ability to win the league.  And all have the ability to face plant.  The race is on in the last 6 weeks of the season.  The only team that has played two of those top teams is Cal, and we are 1-1 (UCLA and Oregon).  We play USC and Arizona State. USC looks beatable this year, and Arizona State has been untested for the most part.

Arizona State must beat the Bears, USC, UCLA, Oregon and their local rival, Arizona.  I can see them losing two of those games.

Oregon must still play Arizona State, USC and UCLA.  I can see them losing one of those games.

UCLA must play USC, Oregon and Arizona State.  I can see them losing two of those.  If there is anyone with the inside track, I think it is UCLA, though.  Wouldn't that be a hoot.  If they win the Pac 10 do we all of a sudden think this was not such a bad loss?

UCS must play at Cal, at Oregon and at Arizona State.  They also have UCLA at home, and Oregon State.  I think that is a pretty tough schedule.  I can see them losing another one - to Cal - at least.  Probably two more.

Assuming Cal does win out (beating ASU, USC and Oregon in the process), they most likely will be Pac 10 champs.  We need ASU to lose one more, and UCLA to lose two more.  Based on that scenario, Cal would get the nod to go to the Rose Bowl, based on the tie-breaker.  This assumes that UCLA is not the only other 7-2 team.  I can see three or even 4 this year.  Cal beating three of the top 4 would be a good place to be in that tie-breaker scenario.

This would be like when Stanford went to the Rose Bowl back in 97 or 98.  The Pac 10 sucked then - now it is because everyone is good.  But in any case, there was a lot of parity.  A 7-2 team can go.

I do not want to hear about how if Cal can't beat UCLA and Oregon State they can not make it.  We already beat the best team in the conference (Oregon).  Any week anyone can win.  So let's think positively here.

Go Bears!!