Game Day

In a football series that started in 1892 it's amazing that the points scored is separated by only four points. Cal has scored 1896 points. Stanford has scored 1892. After yesterday's disappointing game Stanford now has a 14 point edge.

Stanford wins the 2012 Big Game 21-3.

This game might have been one of the most frustrating Big Games that I've seen. Despite letting tight ends running free a few times too many, Cal's defense played well enough to win. The offense really did the defense no favors. From converting zero third downs to turnovers, the offense did very little. Stanford's defense completely destroyed Cal's running game. The two times that Cal moved the ball inside the Stanford 10-yard line they tried to score on the ground. They'd shown no ability to run against Stanford so it's a mystery as to why they'd try. The failed running attempts led to the field goal and an interception on 4th down. What could have been 14 points ended up being 3 and a very depressing loss. I just don't understand why coach Jeff Tedford insisted on forcing a running game that clearly wasn't working. With receivers Keenan Allen, Chris Harper, Bryce Treggs and tight end Richard Rodgers, Cal has the weapons to hurt an opponent through the air.

The AFLAC trivia question asked for the Cal and Stanford quarterbacks in the 1982 Big Game. The game with The Play. Everyone knows that was Gale Gilbert and John Elway. Not enough know that Gilbert played in five straight Super Bowls. 4 with the Buffalo Bills and 1 with the San Diego Chargers. Doesn't matter one bit that he lost all four. No other player has ever been part of five straight Super Bowl teams. Not even Elway.

When you play Stanford you have to cover the tight ends. It's been that way for a while now. I have no idea why Cal kept letting the Stanford tight ends run free.

Stanford running back Stefan Taylor is a fierce runner. He approached 200 rough yards yesterday.

Even in down years Cal has routinely fielded a good to great offensive line. This year isn't one of them.

Cal is the most penalized team in the nation in terms of yards. That's a tough path to successful football.

Stanford receivers caught very few passes cleanly. I guess that the important thing, for Stanford, is that the passes were caught. Just sloppy hands.

Someone should tell FOX halftime host Erin Andrews that Cal does, in fact, play in Berkeley.

I really like Charles Davis as an announcer. He was working the West Virginia-Kansas St game for FOX. I've enjoyed his work for NFL Network for a few years now. I'm glad that he's enjoying a greater TV presence. He knows his football.

West Virginia doesn't play much defense. To win they have to score a ton. Fortunately for them quarterback Geno Smith scores a ton. He didn't yesterday against Kansas St. His Heisman challenger on the other side of the field, Collin Klein, had a monster game.

Virginia Tech's Michael Cole had the luckiest interception that I've ever seen. He'd tripped while playing his deep safety position. While lying on his back the ball found him.

Cole's interception is a perfect example of the fine line between being a goat and being a hero. If the pass had been completed, it was slightly high, Cole would have been in no position, flat on his back, to prevent the likely touchdown.

I really like Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins. "He doesn't catch the ball. He takes it out of the air." He's only a sophomore but I think that he's the best receiver in the nation. He might even have been the best last year as a freshman.

Barkevious Mingo. I love that name.

Another keeper is Cincinnati quarterback Munchie Legaux.

If you play college football away from the spotlight the best way to get some attention is to face Notre Dame. Since Notre Dame is televised everywhere you get a national audience. You also get to play in front of announcer Mike Mayock. If you're a good football player Mayock will find you. That was the case yesterday for Brigham Young defensive end Ezekial (Ziggy) Ansah. He didn't join the Cougar football team until 2010 so he's very raw. At 6'7" 270lbs and fast, his upside is enormous. Ansah immediately draws comparisons to Jason-Pierre Paul of the New York Giants as a player short on football experience but incredibly long on football talent. He'll be a first round choice next spring.

There is no site in college football more depressing than a bunch of clowns dressed in red running around a football field with the axe. Cal must get that thing back next year.

Yesterday was Lee Roy Selmon Day in Florida. Nice honor for a great football player. He was taken too soon.

49 years ago yesterday Jim Brown became the NFL's all-time leading rusher on an 8-yard run against the Philadelphia Eagles.

It's amazing that Baltimore Ravens pass rusher Terrell Suggs has returned to the active roster. His season looked to be in jeopardy when he suffered an offseason Achilles tendon injury. Stay healthy Suggs.

The Minnesota Vikings have the second highest total of snaps taken by rookie draft picks. The Cleveland Browns are first. For some reason the snaps don't include those of kicker Blair Walsh. I have no idea why special teams snaps aren't included. This important study can lead to varied conclusions. A large rookie presence can be an indictment of the preceding talent. I prefer to see it as a compliment of the choices that the Vikings made in this last NFL Draft. Matt Kalil, Harrison Smith, Josh Robinson, Rhett Ellison and Walsh have been terrific. Hopefully, recevier Jarius Wright will join that group soon. He's been slowed by a preseason ankle injury. The Vikings could use the speed that he could provide.

Go Vikings!!! Stay healthy, everyone.