The Big Game

Saturday is the big game. Thank goodness that Versus is showing the game in glorious HD. This is the 25th anniversary of the 1982 Big Game with "The Play". The game was replayed on Thanksgiving day and Versus has a show with Joe Starky, John Elway, the guy that scored the touchdown and the band member that he destroyed. Most people can remember watching the "The Play"; but not everyone knows that NFL Legend John Elway was Stanford's quarterback and had lead them down the field from a 4th and 17 on their own 10 yard line with 1 minute left to take a 1 point lead with 4 seconds left on the clock. Well, and the rest is history.

But anyways, Cal is 6-5 and Tedford's "Worst" season was 7 wins in his first year. He took the same 1-10 team and made them 7-5 the next year. With a win this year over Stanford, Cal would have mirrored Tedford's first year, when he won Pac-10 Coach of the Year. What is different is that this year is considered a monumental failure, while 2002 was a monumental success. The amount of criticism that Tedford has taken this year has been enormous, which just adds to his stress. In a sense, the rising expectation and growing criticism is just a product of his own success. Sucks, huh? But I wouldn't worry, he's being paid millions to coach a game. And I truly believe that greatness can only come out of the darkest of times.

Having said that, I still don't believe Cal has hit rock bottom yet. The anticipation of watching the Golden Bears on Saturday is overwhelming, but deep down inside, I feel like I'm in for another dissapointment. I have this inkling that Stanford wants this game more than us. And just because we show up on Saturday with CAL on our uniforms does not guarantee a win. It's whoever plays best that day and, however much I hate to say it, I think our Bears are looking towards next season already. Desean is gone; watching him run off the field against Washington and then start to limp around on the sideline with a phantom injury has me believing that he's mentally checked out.

I'm wishing for a victory. I want to see Forsett run between the tackles; I want to see Hawkins fly for a touchdown; I want to see Jordan make a spectacular grab; I want to see Stevens run up the gut and catch a ball thrown over his head; I want to see Best run east and west for major yardage. Damn, I'm getting excited again. GO BEARS!!!!