Things I Want to See on Saturday Against Oregon

So the Bears are a 28 point underdog heading into their matchup against the 2nd ranked Oregon Ducks. This Oregon team is for real. They're easily the best team the Bears will have faced all season and in my opinion, up there as one of the best teams in the nation. I've watched nearly all their games this season, and they're that good. If all things go as pundits expect, the game should be over by halftime.

Now naturally, I've always been a proponent of the statement, "Well, that's why you play the game." Nothing's decided until the game actually starts. It's what's gotten me through this season, and it's what's stopped Colorado fans from jumping in front of Ralphie before the beginning of each game. That and a whole lot of alcohol.

So more than anything, I'd love to see the Bears come out and compete. They have effectively nothing to compete for other than pride and what they owe to themselves. Even if the season hasn't shaken out like anyone expected, they still owe it to themselves to go out there and put on their best effort in their last home game of the season.

For the seniors, it'll be the last chance to run out of the tunnel in Memorial Stadium. They've got nothing to lose at this point. We're past the point of moral victories, but you can certainly play for pride and see what happens.

In addition to the Bears showing some heart this Saturday, I've got a few other things I'd love to see.

Allan Bridgford with a week of starting reps
All signs point to Zach Maynard's time as the starter for the Bears being effectively over. Maynard's still hobbling on a sprained knee, and though Tedford stated he might be available in a backup capacity, that would make little sense for anyone involved. With the Bears playing solely for pride at this point, it would only make sense that we use this time to take an honest look at Allan Bridgford and even Austin Hinder.

While the coaches will likely say that spring ball will be competitive, it'd be foolish not to use this time to get a sense of what your quarterbacks can do in real live game situations. Think back to 2010, when fans clamored for anyone except Kevin Riley. Then we got a sense of what Brock Mansion could do in four games as a starter, and it became pretty clear to everyone that he wasn't going to be the answer at quarterback the following season.

The jury is still out on Allan Bridgford. In his 4 year Cal career, the junior has only completed 17 of his 48 pass attempts 216 yards in mop-up duty. He hasn't shown to be particularly turnover prone, and hasn't appeared completely wide-eyed in his appearances. However, his release is a still elongated, and he's still completing just 35% of his passes in his collegiate career against mostly defenses with 8 men back in coverage.

But here's the key part, he's never had an opportunity to take reps with ones, even when he announced as the starter in the season opener (what a debacle that was). So he's never really been given a fair shake, and I'm really curious to see what he can do after he's had an entire week to prepare as the starter. Every backup quarterback will tell you that they prepare each week as if they're the starter, but deep inside, each of those guys know there's a huge boost of confidence and adrenaline when you know you're going to be "the guy" come Saturday.

Of course, Oregon presents a significant challenge, so it might not be fair to evaluate Bridgford based on one game. But it sure as heck is a start.

Austin Hinder Gets a Look
This probably isn't the game to try this out, but I'd love to get a look at Austin Hinder in an actual game. I've been high on Hinder since we recruited him, but knew very early on that the kid was going to be a project. He was slender of frame, and had throwing mechanics that needed to be refined at the collegiate level. But he's a stud of an athlete, and might possess the best combination of throwing ability and mobility of the current quarterbacks.

Apparently, the light turned on some time during the offseason, and Hinder has finally put on significant weight and impressed quite a bit during camp. It was his inexperience at the position (having not gotten any game snaps ever) that really held him back for pushing for the backup role, but the coaches are high on Hinder.

Much like the reasoning for evaluating Bridgford, I'd love to see what Hinder can do. Given the offensive line's current pass protection problems, Hinder may actually be a better option. If the game gets out of hand early on, I'd like to see Hinder get the entire 4th quarter, and just see what his composure and management of the offense looks like. Again, it could be so much more valuable for the coaches in the long run, then trying to simply make the final score not as bad it really was.

Continued look at Cal's young playmakers on offense
Last week's offensive production was marred by abolutely brutal turnovers. But again, the Bears outgained their opposition in total yardage even in defeat. The Bears could move the ball decently well, and a lot of it had to do with the great play of Cal's wide receivers.

The future looks really bright there, and these are critical reps that Chris Harper, Bryce Treggs, Maurice Harris, and Darius Powe are getting. All four are freshmen (Harris having redshirted), and with Keenan Allen likely off for the NFL after this season, it would have been a nightmare if all four came in with little experience next year.

Fortunately, Harper as emerged as a star, and Treggs, Harris and Powe will have gained significant experience. Like I said last week, I'm liking a lot of their play. Harris is showing some tremendous blocking ability and he and Powe are developing as some solid possession receivers.

I want to continue to see three or four of them spread wide along with Richard Rodgers and Brendan Bigelow and continue to get a sense of how they fare against some pretty solid corners for the Ducks.

Bigelow?
I can't let it go guys, I just can't. I know Bigelow somehow has managed not to learn the playbook, but let him run the same three plays over and over (toss, stretch, and screen) and just get him into space.

Or, just watch what Oregon does with DeAnthony Thomas, and just have him do the same exact thing the next time the Bears get the ball.

Please?

"Dude...just go for it"
I actually roll my eyes most of the time the fans boo when the field goal team jogs onto the field. When it's 4th and 1 from the 32, I can understand the frustration. But when it's 4th and 8 from your own 46, you usually live for another day.

Not on Saturday though. I'm not saying throw every inch of football logic out the window, but I'm hoping for a bit more aggressiveness when it comes to playcalling and some cajones when it comes to extending drives.

Field goals aren't going to cut it against the Ducks under Chip Kelly (other than 2010, wait what?), so seriously, why bother?

Unless our defense holds their offense to 10 points against, then yeh, like kick field goals and stuff.

Outlook
As sad as it is, I'm not going into Saturday's game expecting a win. Sorry, I'm just not. Make no mistake, I'm actually going to the game, and you know I'll be rooting for the Bears to pull off the upset of all upsets, but I wouldn't even bet you a snickers bar on it.

So I'm hoping for effort. I'm looking for execution. I'm looking for some balls from the players and coaches. I'm hoping for a fun time, and something under the lights of Memorial Stadium that won't be deemed "excruciatingly painful" by the time I leave.

Prediction: Oregon 49 Cal 20