Worst line of the week: Why is Washington only 15 point favorites over Cal?

[turkoman1963]

Let's try to go 3 for 3.

(Week one we asked why NW was only 3 point favorites and they won by 9. Week Two we asked why Wisconsin was UNDERDOG to Penn State and they won by 12)

This week we see a Washington team who is undeniably young but with great talent against a Cal team that has been blown out three straight times by 30 points!

Why is the line only 15?

Now Washington made a couple of key (fluke?) plays against Michigan to come up with a victory (in the rookie QB's first start) and then rolled on Saturday against Idaho 53-3. (Ask yourself if Cal would beat Idaho by much if at all?).

Now Cal might get up for Washington in front of their home crowd, but last week they were up 10-3 and were driving for a TD and the wheels came off. In fact, they were up 13-6 and held WState inside their 10 and WState had to punt. They did punt and Cal promptly fumbled (typical Cal) and WState scored to tie it up and then the rout began.

I see Washington destroying Cal (and they are my favorite team :{ -- it's tough to be a Cal fan...) 48-14.

Good luck all...

[neilm]

While I also prefer WASH in this game, the answer to your "why" is.... Washington's defence scored as much as their offence vs. MI. Need to prove it on offence before you can really lay the lumber (and no last week didn't prove it).

[Higgysmalls]

I was on Washington early. Here is some interesting reading from the Contra Costa Times:

It's same sad song at Cal
BERKELEY -- The 1996 Cal football season was just beginning and the new man in town was Steve Mariucci, who learned very early that his players were allowed to run roughshod, at least emotionally, under previous coach Keith Gilbertson.
Gilbertson was an emotional guy, one who didn't mind ripping off a few heads, at least verbally. Some of his players mirrored that, and it wasn't unusual that a few holes were punched through the walls in the locker room. Eventually, the general consensus was that Gilbertson had lost control.

Mariucci, after being told that one of his Bears had just put his fist through the locker room wall, went and found a maintenance worker, got the appropriate plaster and paint and had the player do a "New Yankee Workshop" seminar in front of his teammates. He wanted his players to be emotional but to remain in control.

And while Mariucci's stunt appeared to be a stroke of genius, the fact remains his team went into the emotional dumpster at the end of the season. After racing to a 5-0 record, Mariucci's Bears lost six of their last seven games, including a 42-38 loss to Navy in the Aloha Bowl. Mariucci admitted just before the Aloha Bowl that the coaches were more excited about the game than the players. He had lost control.

Fast forward to 2001, and calm, cool Tom Holmoe has lost control of his current Bears, at least through three games. During four previous seasons, Holmoe might not have squeezed many wins out of his players, but he always received full effort until the final gun. It has not been the case this season.

Three coaches, all with different styles, all with the same problem. Holmoe has eight games and an incredibly tough stretch of games against nationally ranked teams, to get his team back. It begins Saturday when No. 13 Washington visits Memorial Stadium.

"Our patience, wits and dignity are going to be tested to the core," Holmoe said. "We know the answers are not right around the corner, and that is hard. But we hope to find the answers."

Holmoe said his players have lost confidence, and it's not an easy thing to get back. "It's a matter of confidence, and we're at a low, low tide," he said. "That's not something that has to stay that way."

Holmoe is doing what he can to pump some life into his players, and for some, that means individual pep talks. "There's my couch, how can I help you?" Holmoe said of some of the analytical sessions. "I'm trying to give them my strength."

Holmoe isn't the only one having man-to-man talks. Senior linebacker Scott Fujita said he has met with many of the players to discuss problems outside of football that might be affecting their play. "I've been trying to figure out ways to help guys individually," he said. "We have done some soul searching."

Injury report

Tailback Joe Igber is expected to return to significant action against Washington. He warmed up against Washington State last Saturday but played only a handful of plays and was used primarily as a decoy because of an ankle injury. "He didn't have that sparkle in his eye in warm-ups," Holmoe said. "We knew he wasn't quite right so we decided not to use him. But he should be fine this week." Wide receivers Derek Swafford (ankle) and Geoff McArthur (triceps) aren't so fortunate. Neither will play Saturday.

Extra points

Here are some of the overwhelming numbers facing Cal when it plays Washington: The Huskies have won 18 straight games in the series, with Cal's last win (7-0) coming Nov. 6, 1976. Cal led last season's game in Seattle 24-13 in the fourth quarter but eventually lost 36-24. Washington has won the past nine games played in Berkeley. This season's Bears have allowed 44 points or more in all three games, the first time in 118 years of Cal football that has happened. Cal is ranked 109th in the country in total defense (488.7 yards per game), 111th in passing efficiency (111.1 rating), 113th in scoring defense (46.3 ppg), 114th in turnover margin (-3.67 per game) and 115th in passing yards allowed per game (368.3). There are only 115 Division I-A teams.

-- Jay Heater (who happens to cover the PAC 10 for the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook)

[turkoman1963]

I'm eating crow and it sure tastes goooood!

What an awful capping day.

Cal is up 14 in the first quarter!

[ScriptOhio]

I admit to liking W in this game...but you never know. I'm using them in a 5 teamer and I had Purdue -4. No way I win that game...already marked on my sheet as L(oser) and then had to check my eyes when I say 35-28 on Espn. Thought maybe it was 25-28. Need to make it 17-21 before half....then maybe ....but not likely....
Scott

Buckeyes win....still stink though.

[turkoman1963]

Trying to break even

Cal + 7.5 + 115 for the second half.