Cal at Washington

Well, this has to be the most painful loss since Tedford has been coach. And I went to Tennessee last year.

1) The defense played horribly. And I will posit to say that it is because Gregory gave up his bend but don't break philosophy, bowing to the crowd and trying to come after a QB who is just starting the first time this year. In fact, what all the clowns on the message boards have been saying to do, he does, and the results are just like Lyle Setencinch got when we played Washington when he was DC. When you have a defensive line that is not that physically strong, then you have to play your position and stay in the gaps, not try to gamble. This is what would have happened to every team that we have played if Gregory does not play his bend but don't break. This was a clear failure of that strategy. It is not like Washington had the best offensive line that we have seen all year.

2) On a day when Nate played GREAT, and Justin Forsett played great, the team gets only 23 points. Yes, there was an interception for basically a score. But there were plenty of opportunities. This was a team that we should have completely dominated. We lost because the rest of the team gave up. I was pretty disappointed with Lavelle Hawkins - he dropped a few passes that were critical that he catch. Also, losing DeSean is a blow, but we had more than adequate back-up. The biggest issue was stupid penalties, poor special teams play, and turnovers, once again. This was a very undisciplined team today.

3) Tedford called a pretty good offensive game plan. But if the team does not do the basics correctly, then there will not be scores. My guess is that there is too much time game planning, and putting in the offense, and not enough teaching the guys about the basics, like holding on and playing smart. By the middle of the season, he probably moves on to other lessons. And these guys are college football players. So they barely remember last week. Last year, when we went to the Holiday Bowl, the team had a month, and they went back to basics. And they crushed. This year, at the beginning of the year, they played Tennessee tough, and had a great start. I think that Cal does not focus on the basics of playing football enough and they focus too much on scheme.

4) This was a passionless team.

Anyway, I will calm down and post more later. But I really feel like this was the worst loss of the Tedford era, more because of what this represents than the game itself. In other words, this is the first time I think he has a team that has given up.

Go Bears!!