Why?
Why do we always seem much more nervous compared to other teams’ fans? Why do we always seem to doubt our team more? Why is it so much tougher for Cal fans to seem to swallow success? If you look at the Bear Insider forum going into the Oregon game now, one would think we are 0-4 instead of 4-0. Even I, who am generally a very optimistic person, feel very nervous going into this game.
And from my review of Oregon blogs and whatnot, they seem very, very confident. Is there some natural difference between Cal fans and Oregon fans? Perhaps there are younger Cal fans, who never knew the Holmoecaust, who are as confident and cocky as the Oregon fans. Others seem to expect immediate and unending pain at all turns. The 4-0 start is just going to make the eventual slide that much more painful.
Obviously, right now, nobody knows. But it seems to me that we have as much a chance at winning on Saturday at they do. We are both 4-0. We both have shown explosive offenses with less than staunch defenses. We have both 1 big victory (us v. Tenn; them @ Mich) and a bunch of other wins that showed us nothing. We both gave up 31 points to the juggernaut Stanford offense in just one half. Oh. Wait….
I swear we have the most nebbish fan base. We’re all Woody Allens out there with an endless array of annoying insecurities. We fear Tedford is going to dump us at every turn, even though it is becoming increasingly less likely with each passing year. We fear Oregon is going to slaughter us.
"An artist’s rendering of TwistNHook."
Have faith! It might not be the blow out that The Band is prophesizing. But all the talk of 8 out of the last 10 and the last 7 at Oregon seems blown out of proportion to me. The only 2 games Tedford played in Autzen were incredibly close. 2003, Oregon passed us with less than a minute to go. In 2005, we lost in OT after having nearly won the game at the end of regulation. This isn’t 2003 when Tedford had a .500 team. This isn’t 2005 when Tedford didn’t even have a mediocre QB leading the team. This is a Rose Bowl contending team. This is, dare I say it, a National Championship contending team.
Let’s put the Woody Allen stuff behind us. Yes, we sucked in the past. I was there, I saw it all. Doesn’t mean we are going to suck in the future.
Speaking of the future, let’s get another Marshawn update. Losman was injured against the Pats and former Stanford tackling dummy Trent Edwards came in to play. Luckily for him, moving from Stanford to the NFL was easy, because the Bills offense SUX. I mean it’s Stanford-esque. The only difference for Trent now is that Marshawn plays for him. He scored the Bills only TD against the Pats.
And he scored it in classic Marshawn fashion. As he neared the goal-line, several Pats defenders tried to impede his forward progress. How rude! Anyway, Marshawn was all "Mental Note: No." And just bowled ‘em over. The video is available at the Bills team page at NFL.com, viewed here.
You wanna know scary the Pats are this year? Here’s actual photographic evidence that their players were able not only to slow down Marshawn. But stop him! Sure, it took 2 of them. But yknow what? That’s just what it takes to stop Marshawn.
Cal can do this. Let’s believe! We might not have a perfect team, but I can only think of 5 more teams in the nation that could feel happier than us right now. And Oregon isn’t one of them. Let’s hope that doesn’t change this Saturday.
I see the same thing among my circle of Bear fans… while we all support, and hope against hope, and cheer, and never leave our team behind (even when they go 1-10), we certainly are always prepared for the other shoe to drop.
I blame the media. Mainly because it’s easy. Any team this side of the Rockies not named USC gets little to no love from the media. Even when we go in and beat a Kevin Jones-and-DeAngelo Hall-led Hokie squad in the Insight, or tear the crap out of A&M from the “vastly superior” Big XII, or take an SEC team out for a nice Saturday drive around Berkeley… and curb stomp them.
We’re not mean enough. We’re not voracious enough. Frankly, we’re not big enough dicks. Look at Florida fans, for chrissakes! Even here on the Left Coast, where we do things more laid-back, Trojan fans down south sit smugly confident that not only will their team win the whole magilla, but John David Booty will give the University of Spoiled Children its 5000th Heisman trophy.
Yeah well, I was there, as I’m sure you were, at Memorial on that warm September afternoon in 2003. Not only do the Bears go into Autzen this weekend and show Dennis Dixon and the Donald Ducks what it means to rep the Pac-10, we’re gonna take it to Booty and crew, too.
ROLL ON YOU BEARS!
Comment by Dr. Kenneth Noisewater — September 25, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
Agreed - I definitely have one foot in the nebbish camp. I got my own take on a Woody Allen line: “The difference between sex and Cal football is, sex you can do alone and nobody laughs at you”. Though Cal has had nothing but success while I was at school, and since, somehow it has infected me too. But ef’em, we’re on a mission this year. Ducks go down.
And if their mascot tries to start something, Oski better lay him out.
Comment by BombayBear — September 25, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
We used to say in school that you could only go into a Cal game with no hope, cause if you had hope it would get crushed.
We have a lot of years of futility to get over before we become confident that we’ll win. It’s ok. Really.
Comment by timote — September 25, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
I have an answer for you… Both Cal fans and the Duck fans equally fear this meeting. Let me repeat that:
==Cal fans and Duck fans equally FEAR this meeting==
It’s the reactions to the fear that are different… so i don’t think we should misinterpret “nervousness” as:
1) lack of passion or FAITH in our sturdy golden bears…
2) or as weaknesses in our resolve…
i assure you that if you gave both Cal fans and Duck fans swords and made them fight to save their schools… every single last fan on both sides will die, but would go down swinging and slashing. So what’s with the different reactions?
==Cal Fan reaction==
Worrying and what seems to be endless analysis of the details…
==Explanation==
Bottom line, we use more of the grey matter than the do. In general we are more intelligent, student for student… so we see things in a more “cerebral” or Woody Allen type way… we see multiple angles to problems and situations… we literally ‘process’ the world more fully… the result… we see pros and cons to almost every situation (because there really are pros and cons to every situation).
==Duck Fan Reaction==
“We’re going to kick their asses man arrrgggh”… “we’re going to drink their blood and rape their women!”
==Explanation==
The fans that behave this way are the ones that fear us the most… they over-compensate for their fear… because it’s too uncomfortable to think about or even imagine Cal, again, being the ‘catalyst for the season meltdown.’
Reality check In my opinion, its the national sports press that are most adamant about Cal’s demise… if you actually read the press in oregon, it seems that cooler heads are prevailing… and frankly, I see a lot of confidence on our side too (me in particular, although privately)… anyway, peep these… arrrgggh!:
“…can Oregon stop Cal? Maybe”
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=119067080283075000
:… I’ll be bringing my ‘Fire Aliotti’ sign to the Cal”
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=128&f=1423&t=1082531#s=128&f=1423&t=1082531
etc… etc… i think there’s plenty of worry on both sides (although a bit more from our end), but this –is by no means- evidence of a lack of passion, spirit… and most of all… FAITH in our Bears.
PS
I must admit… it wouldn’t hurt if we “showed” a little more support… we have FAITH but it might help to start showing it.
Comment by danzig — September 25, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
Both Cal fans and the Duck fans equally fear this meeting. Let me repeat that:
==Cal fans and Duck fans equally FEAR this meeting==
It’s the reactions to the fear that are different… so i don’t think we should misinterpret “nervousness” as:
1) lack of passion or FAITH in our sturdy golden bears…
2) or as weaknesses in our resolve…
i assure you that if you gave both Cal fans and Duck fans swords and made them fight to save their schools… every single last fan on both sides will die, but would go down swinging and slashing. So what’s with the different reactions?
==Cal Fan reaction==
Worrying and what seems to be endless analysis of the details…
==Explanation==
Bottom line, we use more of the grey matter than the do. In general we are more intelligent, student for student… so we see things in a more “cerebral” or Woody Allen type way… we see multiple angles to problems and situations… we literally ‘process’ the world more fully… the result… we see pros and cons to almost every situation (because there really are pros and cons to every situation).
==Duck Fan Reaction==
“We’re going to kick their asses man arrrgggh”… “we’re going to drink their blood and rape their women!”
==Explanation==
The fans that behave this way are the ones that fear us the most… they over-compensate for their fear… because it’s too uncomfortable to think about or even imagine Cal, again, being the ‘catalyst for the season meltdown.’
Reality check–> In my opinion, its the national sports press that are most adamant about Cal’s demise… if you actually read the press in oregon, it seems that cooler heads are prevailing… and frankly, I see a lot of confidence on our side too (me in particular, although privately)… anyway, observe:
“…can Oregon stop Cal? Maybe”
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=119067080283075000
:… I’ll be bringing my ‘Fire Aliotti’ sign to the Cal”
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=128&f=1423&t=1082531#s=128&f=1423&t=1082531
etc… etc… i think there’s plenty of worry on both sides (although a bit more from our end), but this –is by no means- evidence of a lack of passion, spirit… and most of all… FAITH in our Bears.
PS
I must admit… it wouldn’t hurt if we “showed” a little more support… we have FAITH but it might help to start showing it.
Comment by danzig — September 25, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
I must admit… it wouldn’t hurt if we “showed” a little more support… we have FAITH but it might help to start showing it.
Comment by danzig — September 25, 2007 @ 5:37 pm
Speaking as a fan of over 36 years–as well as as a son and grandson of alums/fans of more than 80 years–I can attest to the nervousness felt going into any game. It comes from all those years of losing the Big Game. All those years of losing to Washington. All those years of losing just about every game. The “let’s not give Bruce Snyder what he deserves to stay on” ADs, the Holmoecaust, the 1980s, etc.
At the same time, I’ve gotten used to winning. Last year’s loss to Arizona was a most painful experience–and not because it would cost us the Rose Bowl, we didn’t know that at the time–because it just shouldn’t have happened. Tedford-era Cal had defeated the Arizona teams every year, and last year shouldn’t have been any different.
When we lose to $C, its okay only because we don’t USUALLY beat them. It isn’t expected that we will pull it off. That isn’t to say that one years’ team is superior to that years’ $C, it’s just a loss to them is the norm.
Another thing that nags at me, is the comparison between this year’s 4-0 squad to last year’s 3-1 team. We we lost to Tennessee last season, we came out the very next week and showed Minnesota what all that preseason hype was all about. Same the following weeks with Portland State, Arizona State, Oregon, …etc.
This year, after beating Tennessee, it’s almost like that fire isn’t a strong. There was so much backlash after losing last year, it seemed that Cal was forever trying to prove itself. Eight straight–decisive–wins (well, maybe Washington taking us to OT wasn’t exactly decisive, but you get my point) was a pretty damn good way to make up for that opening season loss.
What do the Bears have to play for this year? I don’t mean the obvious (beating $C, going to the Rose Bowl, etc.), but, rather what’s driving them each week? Fortuantely, we don’t have a nationally-televised spanking to atone for, but is that what it takes to get the Bears to play to their full potential?
As I’ve argued many times before, if Cal is to take it to the next level, it’s time to beat the hard teams on the road. And that starts this Saturday at Autzen.
We’ve played up there twice since Tedford took over and each time we should and could have won. The infamous blackout of 2003 zapped not only the stadium lights that night: it took away the momentum we had been building throughout the game. The lights came back on, but the Bears didn’t.
Then, in 2005–with Ayoob, no less!–we took ‘em to overtime and couldn’t pull it off.
Whenever I think about this weekend, my heart starts to race and my stomach knots up. I haven’t seen my sturdy Golden Bears fire on all cylanders yet, and that has me concerned. But, I know they can do it. I know they have a way of coming into big games ready to go. I know they believe they can win one for Tedford at Autzen.
I know it would be a hellish couple of weeks if we lost going into the bye. I felt that before the Washington game last year: the idea of having to wait two weeks to get back on the field and start winning again wasn’t a fun prospect. The fear of dropping in the polls twice (once after the loss, then again during the bye having some other winning team jump us), made me sick. Fortunately, Marshawn came through and intercepted Bonnel’s pass and took the cart for a spin on the sideline.
I trust Tedford and Gregory to scout Oregon and find all their weaknesses. And they have plenty. I trust the playcalling. I trust the adjustments Gregory always makes after the first couple of possessions.
I just need to trust the offense to stay awake. I need to trust the defense to stay sharp and play smart. I need to trust that whatever is going on with all these penalties–young team??–that it’s getting resolved. I need to see that these mid-game slumps have disappeared.
Finally, I have to admit that I felt just this way last year. I went into my seat at Memorial Stadium thoroughly unsure of what would happen. And I never thought what did happen would.
We can beat them, we have before. We can beat them at Autzen, we’ve been close enough in the past. Its just time for them to put it all together and play the sixth-ranked team in the country.
I may have my concerns and I may be nervous about a tough game, but I don’t–NOT FOR A MINUTE–doubt my Bears. I don’t feel, in any way, that we won’t leave Eugene Saturday night at 5-0. We’ll go into the bye ready for a rest, ready for some healing time.
I may have concerns, but I also have FAITH and I’m not afraid to show it!
Comment by TrumanHugh — September 25, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
Make no mistake! We’re confident up here in Autzen, but we do fear our good old Offensive Coordinator, and company. Let’s hope it’s a great game that shows the country how good we both are no matter who wins it. Remember, we both get USC later! Success can follow both the winner and loser of this weekend’s game.
Comment by Treston — September 25, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
sorry for the repeat posts… having trouble with my connection. … again sorry.
Comment by danzig — September 25, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
Good post - I saw another Cal blog that touched on the letdowns we’ve seen during the past few years that might explain why we’re so fearful. Think of USC in 2004. Holiday Bowl 2004. UCLA in 2005 (Maurice Jones-Drew running all over our defense - that’s not Joe Ayoob’s fault). Tennessee and Zona in 2006. What’s it going to be in 2007?
Comment by Rishi — September 25, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
We’ve been letdown before…so many times. The less we build ourselves up the less we stand to be disappointed.
Comment by Bay Area Bear — September 25, 2007 @ 11:04 pm
Oregon does not fear Cal. Oregon respects Cal, but does not fear Cal. For that matter, Oregon doesn’t ‘fear’ playing anyone. ‘Respect all, fear none’.
Autzen is the place where Top 10 teams go to have their national championship/Rose Bowl hopes go away. Just ask Oklahoma ‘06, Michgan ‘04, USC ‘00, Michigan St ‘99, Illinois ‘96, Washington ‘95, and BYU ‘91. I believe each of these entered Autzen ranked ahead of the Ducks and left wondering what happened.
Oregon has no need to fear anyone that comes to Autzen with a national ranking because they have a history of defeating great teams there.
Comment by Nobody Special — September 25, 2007 @ 11:51 pm
Yeah…but Oregon only defeats those top 10 teams in Autzen when the spread goes against them. The Ducks are favored to win this one apparently, which could well spell DOOM for the Ducks.
Either way, it should be a helluva game. Fun to watch, unlike just about every other game this year on both sides.
Comment by RandyRandy — September 26, 2007 @ 8:01 am
I like the guy who thinks Cal fans are smarter than Oregon fans, LOL!
Comment by Chris — September 26, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
Hey Chris, now that’s one area where Cal, or I guess I should say Berkeley here, fears no one. We think we’re the equivalent of the ‘72 Dolphins academically.
Comment by BombayBear — September 26, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
The Bears Are Roaring…Into Eugene (Cal-Oregon Blog Previews)
For the first time since Tennessee, all of the big Cal football bloggers are out in force. The moods in this particular sphere range from twitching anxiety to almost delusional hubris. As I said before the game, I’m eerily calm–although I&…
Trackback by Bears' Necessity — September 28, 2007 @ 5:20 am
It’s very simple, really. Years of losing has instilled me not with a lack of hope, but with an ability to not be disappointed by almost any result. There’s a difference, albeit a fine one. Dammit, I’m not going to let a bunch of 19 year olds determine how I’m going to feel for the next week or two. I’m as intent on watching and paying attention to this game as I was any game (save USC) in 2001. My EXPECTATIONS are not a lot different, other than that I am very slowly losing my ability to NOT expect those expectations to be fulfilled. In other words, I went into the Louisiana Tech with few expectations, and was thus very happy with the result. You know, it’s even worse for older fans. I was actually asked before that Louisiana Tech game by one of them if we had a chance! And it wasn’t just a rhetorical question. 70% maybe.
Now….we have a great thing going, and I’m enjoying the ride immensely. And I want to go to the Rose Bowl VERY VERY badly. But there is too much awful history there to have all that much confidence about the game tomorrow. A win tomorrow would be incredible, but immediately the focus will be on how we can’t beat the Beavers at home.
It pays to have such low expectations, because when that Rose Bowl happens someday, it will be like f***ing Christmas at the age of five. It is inconceivable to me that any USC fan will ever be able to feel that way.
Comment by Doug in SF — September 28, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
Danzig?? Did you teach the Stock Trading class at Cal? Clearstation?
Comment by Chris — October 2, 2007 @ 9:55 am