USC Fallout

It's been nearly a week after USC's monumental collapse against Stanford, and I'm still not sure what to make of it. See, Cal hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 1948. For most Bear fans, we could care less about the National Championship game. It's Rose Bowl or BUST! Even before the season started, I took January 2nd, 2008 off, in anticipation for Cal's rise in the Pac-10 and a potential Rose Bowl game against a gimpy Big 10 team. So, USC lost, what does that mean for Cal? Well, for one, on November 10th, it won't be a matchup of two 9-0 teams, it won't be as great when Cal beats down USC at home, since USC has already been defeated by Stanford. For another, it actually reduces our chances of going to the Rose Bowl. How? Well, we have to think of the bigger picture here. Since USC is just about out of the National Championship picture, all they have left really is the Rose Bowl. At this point, if (BIG IF) USC defeats Cal and runs the table, they would most likely go to the Rose Bowl (this is if LSU and OSU and OK also go undefeated from now on). If the same scenario happened and USC had not lost to Stanford, USC would be going to the National Championship game, which would open the door for a 1 loss Cal team to go to our precious Rose Bowl.

But still, right now, Cal is in the driver's seat to win out and go to the National Championship game, but is that what Bear fans really want? I rather see myself in Los Angeles on January 1st, 2008 watching the Bears live, instead of huddled in front of a TV on January 7th (Monday??) and watching Cal play a LSU team in New Orleans, LA. Did you know that Baton Rouge is only 1 hour away from New Orleans? I much rather see Cal come up roses against Ohio St. than go into enemy territory and play LSU at their home.

Either way, this Saturday, 4pm, don't dissapoint Cal.