"Yes We Can" and other Bears Bits

On the day after one of the most historical elections ever, Cal fans are left to ponder their upcoming matchup with USC in some of the most dynamic modern circumstances imaginable.

[Editor’s note: Not trying to get political here, but regardless one’s political orientation, one has to recognize that last night was an amazing night that will forever change the course of our nation and the world. Wow.]

But if there was one message from last night that Cal fans could hope to adopt for their own hopes for this weekend’s matchup against USC, it’s that “Yes We Can.”

A little overdramatic? Most likely. But consider this:

• The Bears enter as 20.5 point underdogs to USC. And that number has actually risen from the initial line of 17.5 from earlier in the week. Clearly, the experts in Vegas are growing even more wary of putting any faith in Cal by the day.

• The Trojans are a perfect 24-0 under Pete Carroll in November. Just think about that. USC has not lost in November (when it counts the most) in the Carroll regime in nearly 6 years. Pete Carroll does not lose in November.

• Other records: Carroll is 28-7 against Top 25 teams, and is 49-9 in Pac-10 play. This goes along with his 6 straight Pac-10 titles and 6 straight AP Top 4 finishes, and back to back national championships.

Whatever. Despite those gaudy numbers, there must a be a remote voice in Bears fans’ hearts that cry out “Yes We Can.” For the Cal Bears team, that message must be a roar if they’re expected to pull off what would be a monumental upset.

Yes We Can.

Bears Bits

• With the Bears win over the Ducks last Saturday, the Bears are now bowl eligible and will go bowling for the seventh straight year. While bowl eligibility was a given in fans’ expectations, let us still continue to cherish even a consistent level of success. We could be Michigan.

• Zack Follett was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week. This comes a week after fellow linebacker Mike Mohammed’s honor. Go Pain Train. You deserve it. Now bring the business on Sat.

• Defensive linemen Rulon Davis and Cody Jones were back in pads on Tuesday’s practice. Both might be able to provide depth to a beat up defensive line. Good to hear, especially for Davis, the veteran senior who has battled injuries throughout his career at Cal.

• For those headed to the USC Game, be sure to check out the official tailgate party put on by the California Alumni Association at 2:30 on Saturday. My friend DJ Franchise will be spinning and making sure Bears fans are rocking.

Here’s the conversation between Franchise and me.

Franchise: i'll be DJing and they'll have people on the mic
should be fun
Franchise: i'm working to get a young alumni crowd going
so its not all old peeps
me: haha that'd be good once u start djing
Franchise: i know
it will still be older songs
and stuff
top 40
more rockish
but should be fun
me: u gotta do "don't stop believing by journey
Franchise: yep
me: and u gotta mix "we're not going to take it" with sound bites from this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_fShwQlANc
btw
not work safe
audio wise that is
so only play that if u have headphones

Check out the full details here:

• Don’t have a ticket? Some are still available. Try checking my sponsor site for some Trojan Tickets and see what’s available there.

Alright, stay tuned in the next day or so for the Keys to the Game.