This week's Game of the Week in the Pac-10 is the #10 California Golden Bears (5-1, 2-1 Pac-10) at the UCLA Bruins (4-2, 3-0 Pac-10). This looks to be the best game between good teams, because Oregon plays Washington, USC has Notre Dame, and Arizona State has a bye.
California is coming off of a bad loss last week at home against Oregon State. However, had quarterback Nate Longshore been healthy enough to play, that game wouldn't have happened the way it did. This week's tilt against UCLA looks the same way. If Longshore plays, then Cal should walk through this game no problem; however, if he is unable to, look for another very close game.
Kevin Riley, the back-up quarterback has taken most of the blame for the loss against the Beavers (even I blamed him, because I didn't watch the game), but it seems like more was piled on then was fair. Cal lost to Oregon State because the defense couldn't stop the run, and the coaches didn't hand the ball off to Justin Forsett 45 times. Had either of those happened, Cal would be #1 in the nation.
UCLA has had an up-and-down season this year, trouncing the same Oregon State squad that beat California, but losing to Utah, which got their athletic supporters handed to them against those Beavers. UCLA has taken two bad losses, against Utah and Notre Dame, and has no real quality wins except for Oregon State, but they have enough talent to compete with the Golden Bears.
The Bruins also have quarterback issues, as Ben Olson, their starter, will miss another game. McLeod Bethel-Thompson, after throwing 4 interceptions as the starter in their last game against Notre Dame, will be benched, and Pat Cowan,the new starter, who as a redshirt junior has more experience than the freshman Bethel-Thompson.
With all things considered, there's really no way that Cal lets their season get away. Final score: Cal 35, UCLA 24.
The game is at 3:30 PM Eastern, October 20th.
Jessica Hart
Bar Refaeli
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I will be watching this game with my Cal hat on with much interest as this game will be televised locally in my area-CALIFREAKINA!
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
I'm not sure if I'll get this game on television, unless it comes on ABC/ ESPN, but it looks to be a good one. Good blog, by the way.
Big M: The Original
Total Comments (680)
Good pick. Unfortunatley, I will not get to see this game either. I think ABC is going with the Texas Tech/Missouri game in my area.
hookem431*BS
Richardson, TX
Total Comments (548)
i don't get to see it, because i have to work... my saturdays do not exist anymore, so i feel your pain...
thehemogoblin
The University Of, OR
Total Comments (29343)
Should be interesting to see how Cal plays after their tough loss to Oragan State. Hope to watch some of the game when I get home on Saturday. Hopeing USC-Notre Dame is half decent as well
Daveita
Total Comments (973)
Who beat whom? Week after week person after person cites which team should beat the other in a Sat. or Sun. match up because they beat so and so and as a result should be able to beat the other team. This mentality leads me to believe that Notre Dame should actually be sitting in 1 st place given the team they beat... and the team UCLA beat and the team Stanford beat (the team in 1st place) so using your logic Notre Lame is in 1 st place. Right ?
Zags4final4
Lost Somewhere In, WA
Total Comments (1274)
no, i say should, not do, because Oregon State lost to UCLA who lost to Utah who lost to Oregon State...
thehemogoblin
The University Of, OR
Total Comments (29343)
this is all prognostication...
thehemogoblin
The University Of, OR
Total Comments (29343)
hemo, the duration of your existence is prognostication based on various factors sometimes out of your control, and such is true with blogs. He is making educated guesses.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
CAL STILL HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN WITH A HEALTHY NATE LONGSHORE
The_Chosen_One08
Ashland, KY
Total Comments (319)
ESPN gameday package... thank god for it bc I get all ABC games
Sooner in WA-…
Tacoma , WA
Total Comments (1706)
yeah... it was a hell of CAL LOSING!!!!
thehemogoblin
The University Of, OR
Total Comments (29343)
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