A LOSS was coming, of course. It always does for Cal. Whether the Golden Bears have Marshawn Lynch in the backfield, or Justin Forsett, or now, Jahvid Best, there is always an incredible amount of hype surrounding Jeff Tedford’s highly capable, highly explosive teams.
And then the bottom falls out.
Last year? It was Sept. 13 at Maryland, a 35-27 loss that began a 4-4 stretch, ruining a 2-0 start. The year before? Worse. It was in Berkeley, vs. Oregon State. The Bears were 5-0 on Oct. 13, and ranked No. 2. But they fell flat on their faces vs. the Beavers. A 31-28 setback began a stretch in which they lost — get this — six of their last seven to end the regular season.
So this year? Not much different. The Bears pushed themselves into the Top Ten. They rolled up a nice, little 3-0 mark. And Best took the express elevator right to the top floor of the Heisman Trophy race.
Then last Saturday they took a little trip to Eugene, Ore. — and forgot to get off the bus.
“I still have confidence in our guys. We’ll go back to work with a good attitude and a lot of focus,” Tedford said, with the sting of a 42-3 loss to the Ducks still simmering. “I love this team, and I love our kids. It’s one loss. It’s a tough loss, so we’ll make sure we work extremely hard.”
And as easy as it is to pile on Cal — like we just did — we must admit that we agree with Tedford on this one. First of all, the Bears weren’t going to win the national championship this year. They were a good, little story — in terms of a BCS title — nothing more. They were filling space until the race truly took shape.
What matters most to Cal and everyone surrounding the program, is one thing . . . well two things: 1. Beat USC; 2. Get to the Rose Bowl.
And despite that ridiculous performance vs. the Ducks — provided Oregon loses a couple times itself in conference play — that’s all still out there for the Bears.
“It’s one loss, but we don’t want it to be a downward spiral,” quarterback Kevin Riley said. “We’ll come back and surprise some people. It’s a lot easier to play at home.”
We agree. The Bears have had Saturday’s game against Southern Cal circled all season. They have lost five straight to the Trojans. And they haven’t been to Pasadena on New Year’s Day since — wait for it — 1958.
“We’ve got to fight,” Riley said. “That’s all there is to it.”
We think they will. The timing is right, as there’s a definitive desire for a bounce-back. The opponent is right. USC already has a loss, and scored just 27 vs. Washington State, possibly the nation’s worst team. And the line is right, just in case it’s a nail-biter.
Cal (+5) at home is the pick.
TONIGHT
Colorado (+17) over WEST VIRGINIA: The Mountaineers allow 27 points per game. If the Buffaloes can approach that number, the home team is going to need a boatload to top this spread.
SATURDAY
SYRACUSE (+6½) over South Florida: Ride the letdown angle against the Bulls here. The new Orange play hard at home, and they never quit.
MICHIGAN STATE
(-2) over Michigan: The Wolverines dodged the upset last week. But the Spartans are better than their record shows, and catch a rival that is now overdue for a loss.
Alabama (-15½) over KENTUCKY: We’ll rely on the mighty Tide defense here to perhaps score itself and push Alabama past this number.
Florida State (-4) over BOSTON COLLEGE: On again, off again for the Seminoles. The cycle was off vs. South Florida, but they have a good history in Chestnut Hill.
Washington (+13) over NOTRE DAME: Grab the line value as the Huskies got whacked at Stanford. But that was a clear letdown spot after beating USC. Jake Locker and Co. will be refocused.
Louisiana State (+3) over GEORGIA: LSU is in the same boat Cal was. A big game on the road, but a bigger home game on deck. The Tigers have Florida next. Something tells us Les Miles’ crew will be more prepared than Tedford’s.
PENN STATE (-7) over Illinois: Out of the “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, try, try again” category, the Lions are way overdue for a cover after an 0-4 spread start.
Ole Miss (-8½) over VANDERBILT: We’ll take the humbled Rebels off a long week after the Thursday loss, in a clear-cut bounce-back situation.
Ohio State (-17) over INDIANA: The Bucks’ defense is putting up Alabama-like numbers. The Hoosiers almost won at Michigan, yes, but Bloomington is hardly intimidating.
Arkansas (pick) over Texas A&M (Arlington, Tex.): Trap city. A 1-2 SEC team isn’t a heavy underdog against a 3-0 Big 12 team? They’re begging you to take the Aggies.
MISSISSIPPI STATE (+6) over Georgia Tech: “If you’ve seen it, you can stop it,” is how we’ll play this one. The Jackets’ option offense is tough, but the Bulldogs saw it last year. Now, they get them at home.
TENNESSEE (-1½) over Auburn: Another trap. Tennessee’s defense will be ready against the surprisingly undefeated Tigers, who have yet to leave the comfortable surroundings of Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Oklahoma (-7) over MIAMI: The Sooners’ quarterback situation may spike this line. But for us, it’s about the OU defense. We didn’t buy the Miami Hype Machine last week and we’re not going to start now.
OFF THE GRID
ARIZONA STATE
(-4½) over Oregon State: The Sun Devils are back in their time zone, and will be fueled by a quality showing vs. Georgia.
Tulsa (-16) over RICE: The Owls are allowing 477 yards per game. Just what the mighty Hurricane — 2-0 as road, double-digit favorites — want to hear.
Last week: 7-8 Overall; 1-2 Best Bets; 3-0 Off The Grid.
Season: 25-34-1; 3-9; 8-4.