Oregon-Cal prediction and gameday linkage
This Saturday will define the rest of the season for both teams involved. The great thing about following the Ducks is that they have these moments every season, “relevance” would be the term I think, whether they win that moment or fall flat, they still matter. Not every Pac-10 school can say that year in and year out.
Our ODE GameDay supplement had a feature on Chris Harper by sports editor Andrew Greif, who also did a Q&A with punter Josh Syria. I wrote a game preview and an Oregon notes story about the team’s health. Rob Husseman took a look at Cal, and Tom Saibel looked around at the rest of the Pac-10 games this week. We also feature a column from the opposing school’s beat writer, this week from the Daily Californian.
Prediction -
They expect rain, and thus the game should be won or lost in the trenches, not through the air. While some think that rain will favor the Cal rushing attack I say otherwise. A game in the trenches is a game the Ducks will win and win big. I don’t care if Jahvid Best is the next big thing or if JJ’s shoulder is acting up. Oregon has far better lines on both sides of the ball. I really think it’s that simple. Oregon will punch Cal in the mouth and Cal won’t get up. Oregon runs for 300 and four scores and throws for 150 and another score. Cal runs for 200 and two scores, throws for around 100 yards and a TD. Throw in a Jairus Byrd TAINT (Touchdown After Interception) or punt return TD, one oregon field goal and two cal field goals for the final:
Oregon 45, Cal 27
some linkage to peruse -
RegisterGuard – As always, when I start trying to break down the Ducks I turn to Ken Woody, whose technical breakdown of the matchups is second to none. Rob Moseley always puts up a prediction in his blog, and while they are seldom correct (I can’t really talk) the ensuing haters/homers melee in the comments is always good for a chuckle. ODE Alum Adam Jude took a look at Jahvid Best this week.
Oregonian/OregonLive – Notes on Cal’s injuries and the lines of both teams by John Hunt. Also, you can check out all of my videos on the site, including some from this weeks pressers and practices.
Portland Tribune – Jason Vondersmith says that Jeremiah Masoli isn’t nervous about playing in the bay area. Let’s hope not, remember 2006?
ESPN Pac-10 Blogger Ted Miller looks at this weekend’s conference games.
Associated Press Oregon-Cal game preview
Finally, much has been made this week about last year’s game and Cameron Colvin’s goalline fumble that ended the Ducks’ bid to tie the game as time expired. Here is the video – in the live shot, you can see me standing near the back pylon as the ball goes rolling out of bounds. I’m hatless and standing with arms folded. Marcus Ezeff was the guy who made the hit that jarred the ball loose and the ContraCosta Times, SF Chronicle, and SanJose Mercury News all wrote about it this week, as did the Cal paper.
Cheers,
Kevin
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