7:30 kick off on Pac network.

Beavs have historically played well at Cal, but it’s hard to see how this D is going to stop Cal’s QB. I can’t find any intriguing reason to watch this game. I’ll check it out to see if there’s any growth but not expecting much.

38-10, Cal.

Go Beavs.

Anyone feel like discussing the Cal game?

Interesting to hear Sitake talk about the lack of toughness on defense. No wonder GA says they’ll sign a class of 25; have to think a lot of these guys will not have scholarships renewed. Seeing a lot of defensive players being recruited, too.

Also interesting to hear Sitake talk about the Cal WRs routes and run after catch. I think a lot of that goes back to Cal’s QB play (suddenly Dykes looked like a good coach once he got Goff), and suddenly their WRs run “the best routes in the Nation”. Really? Or is the QB just hitting them right in stride.

Anyway, I’m jealous of that.

Back to the game, Beavs are going to have a hard time stopping that passing attack with all the banged up guys who have defeatist attitudes.

Discuss this game if you’re still into football. I’m looking forward to basketball. If the team were improving I’d be into it despite the loses, but the lack of improvement makes it un-watcheable. Between week 1 and now, has there been any improvement? I’d can’t name a single player who has significantly improved. Maybe Pritchard and Nall? But they didn’t play early on so who knows. Every player seems the same or worse. I can’t comprehend how, as a player, you can practice that much and still be the same. Just don’t get it…I guess they are maxed out, talent wise, and the Beavs just simply have a [lack of] talent problem. On top of that, weak minds. Thanks, Riley.

As noted throughout the game thread, Mitchell showed his warts and is at best a backup. Seth Collins is a better option that Mitchell. McMaryion threw one nice ball, then a first down that was dropped. Verdict is still out on him, but it seems like most fans are trending toward being on the same page: that we have no viable D1 QB on this roster (not factoring in Garretson, who we all hope is the savior).

Are we all on the same page with the QBs finally? I’ve seen enough Mitchell to know Collins is better. I’d like to see MM — not because I love him, he probably stinks — but rather to just settle it one way or another, just like with Mitchell. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or two of these QBs transfer. GA should be recruiting another QB hard, yet he seems content with Moran. If Garretson is the QB next year, and he gets injured, then what? GA’s biggest problem, throughout his career, has been handling QBs, and I don’t like where things are going on that front. I feel he should be recruiting a JC or a highly rated prep right now (in addition to Moran).

The defense regressed, but some of that was the offense was once again off the field too fast. Football requires the units to be in sync, else things fall apart fast. GA is recruiting heavily on D, and for good reason. There should be a big improvement by year 3 on D, but even next year with all the talent he’s recruiting on that side.

Overall talent is an issue. Recruiting has been good this year, but it’s stalled lately. Word is some of these guys will go on missions so won’t count against this class. That’s good, because 0-star recruits from Oregon who hold offers from Wyoming and Portland State aren’t going to get the “impatient” Gary Andersen where he wants to be.

Sign of coaching problem: losing close games due to boneheaded decisions (time management, wrong personnel, etc).

Sign of talent problem: getting consistently blown out and just unable to compete.

Beavs have a talent problem. The coaches (Baldwin/GA on special teams) aren’t helping — they don’t put players in best position to succeed nor do they play call to the personnel they have, but rather to personnel they wish they had.

The worst part of Beaver football this year has been the lack of progress. If each week we saw some improvement or an overall direction, it would be easy to stomach what is going on, but the lack of progress has everyone disengaged. I think we’re all basically done caring or watching and all looking forward to hoops. This looks like a 3 year rebuild. Next year will be bad, too, as all these new recruits (who are better than Riley’s no doubt) have to take their lumps and learn. So year 3 is when we see better things. It’s going to suck. JC recruits could help. If I had one piece of advice for GA: recruit JC harder, get another QB, and encourage as much attrition as you can.