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Over the course of an offseason, it’s natural to become a bit numb to all the emotional pulses of being a Cal fan. You might say I’m in a bit of that state right now. Sure the Cal marketing video that was released last week got my hands a little clammy, but not nearly close to the extent as I get come August or September.
As I look at the upcoming schedule, I find myself already circling a number of games, not just for their importance to the season’s success, but rather the ones that I feel like Cal absolutely has to have. That is, I can’t help but find myself thinking anything from, “Man, it would really rock to win that game,” to “I swear to Jeebus, if we lose that game I am going to wallow in the tears of orphans and go on a senior-citizen punching spree.”
I got to thinking of the Top Five games that fall under these emotional umbrellas. Keep in mind, certain victories would feel better for different reasons. The desire to win a “revenge” game such as Maryland evokes different feelings than an overdue win against USC.
So I suppose this list could be both, “Games I Hope Cal Wins/Games We Better Not Lose.”
5. Maryland (Sept. 5)
In terms of conference title or Rose Bowl implications, this game has very few direct ones. Cal could lose its opener, and tear through its remaining schedule and still end up in Pasadena.
But in terms of sheer revenge or redemption, a win would feel good.
It was just last year that Cal dragged itself out of bed with its fresh Top25 ranking and 2-0 record, only to get whalloped on national television. Its dark horse Heisman candidate was blown up so bad he became a YouTube highlight reel for all the wrong reasons with his subsequent vommit. The Bears trailed 28-6 going into the 4th quarter and were held without a touchdown until the closing minutes. It was an embarrassing and head-shaking loss to a team who had just lost to Middle Tennessee State the week prior.
And heck, if that wasn’t enough let’s throw in Cal getting bounced out of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament by Maryland as some extra lumber for the flames. Losing to the turtles twice in a season? Not cool.
While most of the blame should be put on the team and coaches, as well as a questionable decision not to fly out the team earlier, this will be Cal’s marquee revenge game next year. While not quite up to Tennessee 07 levels, anticipation for revenge will be pumping through Memorial Stadium in early September.
Most Bear fans don’t want just a win. Cal fans want a dominating win. Like a 3 touchdown type of blow out. Let’s hope it happens.
4. at Oregon (Sept. 26th)
In terms of pure entertainment, there’s no other matchup on Cal’s schedule that I look forward to more than their annual matchup with Oregon. They’ve historically been the most competitive, exciting games of football in recent Cal football history.
No disrespect to the blast that was Cal vs. Oregon 2008, Remember the spectacle that was Cal Oregon 2007? This year’s matchup has the potential to match that level of excitement and media buildup. If both teams (and that’s a big if) can enter into the contest undefeated, we’re talking a likely Top 10 vs Top 15 type of matchup, in Autzen Stadium, with the winner being the strongest challenger to USC for the Pac-10 title this year.
The game alone would make this game a must watch. The national and conference implications make it a must win.
3. UCLA (Oct 17th)
While this might seem like an odd choice considering Cal rolled over UCLA late in the game last year with a 41-20 victory, most Cal fans are very aware of the fact that Cal has not won in Los Angeles in the Jeff Tedford era. Not in the Coliseum, and not in the Rose Bowl. It’s pretty amazing that Cal has only managed a split in the last few years, considering UCLA survived the Karl Dorrell era.
Personally, I can’t stand the fact that the Bears have had such shortcomings at the Rose Bowl. I have come to inextricably link the Bears shortcomings in Pasadena with their inability to play in the Grand Daddy of them all. An overdue win against the Bruins this year might be one of missing ingredients to finally smell roses.
2. Stanford
Any list comprised of must win games that doesn’t include Stanford is sacrilegious at best. However, excluding all the obvious reasons, I don’t think I could handle the backlash of not winning at Stanford Stadium this year. It’s not so much the fear of losing, it’s the fear of the aftermath would likely follow.
An entire year of obnoxious Stanford fans singing the praises of Harbough and his 2-1 record over Tedford? No thank you. The media declaring that Cal’s second loss to Stanford in Tedford’s 9 seasons marks the changing of the tide or shifting of collegiate football powers in the Bay Area? Barf. An affirmation of Harbaugh’s innovative commitment to players playing both offense and defense? Please.
A Big Game loss preventing the Bears from their first Rose Bowl berth in over fifty years? Lord, take me now.
(No.)
1. USC
Beating the Trojans this year tops my list because I feel it’s the combination of both ideas of emotional liberation. On one hand, if ever there were a year in the Jeff Tedford era that the Trojans were the must “vulnerable,” it’s this one. The Bears get the Trojans at home (where Cal has played USC well, save for the 2005 debacle) and in October. I can’t say enough about how huge it is not to play USC in November where they are invincible. And I don’t use any hyperbole with that statement. To cap it off, while USC’s offense will be the strongest in years, they do break in a first year albeit talented QB in either true frosh Matt Barkley, or redshirt sophomore Aaron Corp. The Trojans also have to restock after losing 9 seniors on their defense alone. Simply said, while it’s by no means easy, this is Cal’s best shot in years.
On the other hand, the scope of a very attainable of goal only exacerbates the desire to win this game because of the importance of a win. Fans and media alike know this is one of Cal’s best shots at making the trip to Pasadena in years. And Cal’s propensity to drop an occasional conference road game only magnifies the importance of a win over the reigning conference champion.
Man it'd rock to get a “W.”
And not you, “Dubya.”
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