• Brent Musburger’s ripping of the treehuggers was quality stuff.  His rebuttal of Running Wolf’s argument that his ancestors who died during World War II were buried on the same ground as the oaks, when the oaks were put up BEFORE WORLD WAR II and telling them that trading three oaks for one (as in the University’s proposal to plant three new oaks for each one chopped down) is a great deal, was priceless.
• Jahvid Best looks great, but so does Forsett.  I came up with this analogy: Marshawn = Joe Igber, Forsett = J.J. Arrington, Best = Marshawn.  Full circle.  You’ll get it.
• Lavelle Hawkins did a great job with the opportunities he was given in single coverage, because of the amount of attention that was being paid to THA1.
• THA1’s punt return was amazing.  Totally out of a video game, only even better because I can never manage to coordinate my fingers enough to spin, juke, and sprint all in the same run.  I’m more of a sprint/spin/stiff-arm kind of guy.  The buttons all require different fingers, you see.
• It would have been nice to see more of a vertical passing game, but you can’t complain about how our offense was doing at all.  The gameplan worked, except for perhaps the two three-and-outs in the second half once the Bears got up 17 points.  Then again, that was only two possessions out of the whole game, so let’s not get worked up.
• Our defense could use some work, and for the first half our linebackers outside of Follett didn’t seem to be doing too well in coverage.  Our secondary held up much better this time, or maybe it only seemed that way because Ainge never challenged them vertically, but the team defense looked a lot better than it did last year in Neyland, and there’s reason to believe that Follett will be a huge force off the edge pressuring the quarterback.  The defensive line was stout early on and may have gotten tired later on because of the no-huddle, but there’s also reason to believe here that facing a more conventional offense, our defensive line could be much better than it was last year.
• Best wishes to Xavier Mitchell, seriously.  His full speed collision with Eric Berry’s hip didn’t look pretty, and you could see the whiplash to his neck even in slow motion.  Also, it was nice that the "shoot him like a horse" chants which I’m sure were there - since I recall participating in them rather lustily while a student - weren’t audible on TV.  Or maybe they weren’t there, and people paid attention to our post about staying classy.
• I’d write more, but I’m just happy we won.  And so should you.

Today’s the day.  You’ve waited for this day since the clock struck 0:00 in San Diego.  No, you’ve waited for this day since DeSean’s toe was too big.  No, you’ve waited for this day since USC converted on 4th down.  No, let’s be honest here.  You’ve waited for this day since they began taking out the starters last year.  You’ve waited with the dull pain of bitter anger, each day more pregnant with humiliation. 

In March and April, the anxiety tugged at you.  In July and August, the anticipation was unbearable.  Last night, you probably couldn’t even sleep. 

Well, take that all those months of mockery.  Take all those Tennessee fans over at Bear Insider who mocked Cal after last year’s game.  Take all those ESPN know-it-alls who said Cal was overrated.  Take those thousands and thousands of Tennessee fans who chanted the very same at last year’s game.  Let that rage guide your voice today at the game.  Let there never be a 3rd down where you sit.  Let there never be a kick where you don’t wave your hat.  Let there never be a moment where Ainge can compose his thoughts enough even to think "I want a peanut!"  

No, you’ve waited for this day 12 long months.  A new season is upon us.  Rebirth.  Redemption.  Vengeance.  

The Road To The Rose Bowl starts today.  LET’S DO THIS THING! 

If you aren’t hyped for this game, maybe you should pick up another sport.   GO BEARS!  BEAT THE VOLUNTEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!