Scouting Cal

[Shadow Tiger 1,435]

1 hour ago, 66stang408 said:

Thats some great work! Thank you! *right click save as*

Ah thats a shame. I've been a bit lucky... had some near misses (including a little oopsy this weekend), but i've managed to keep it more or less in one piece for ~25 years.  They're great for a first classic car... simple, lots of parts, and certainly get their share of attention. Whats the classic car / hotrod scene like in Alabama?

get another! (of course at this point you might have to consider things like a wife, garage space, etc....)

Nah. The sticker dates back to my college days when i was in rotc.  Developed a health condition so I never commissioned.  But the sticker looks good and I still have USAF friends to support, so never took it off.

I actually live in South Georgia. We  have a car show every year where I live. On a day to day basis I don't see classics like I use to. Take good care of that one as long as you can. 

[Viper 3,477]

7 hours ago, Zeek said:

This game is a massive inflection point for Auburn.

If it’s close I’m a little concerned that Arkansas will be a 50/50 game and Oklahoma should be the favorite in that scenario.

The game I watched against UC Davis, AU should easily cover the 13-point spread.

If it's close again (one-score game), Freeze is going to be a hot topic amongst Monday morning quarterbacks.

[aucanucktiger 1,875]

On 9/4/2024 at 10:42 AM, 66stang408 said:

Cal fan here. Looking forward to visiting Auburn this weekend.  Thoughts on each point...

1. Ott is certainly the star.  He's listed as 'probable' for this weekend... a pretty rare level of injury transparency from Wilcox (i'm not sure he's ever actively volunteered such info).  So I expect him to play and be fine.  Most casual fans don't know we have a fairly loaded RB room behind him (though as you note, one of said highly touted backups' first carry was a fumble for a scoop/score on the goal line... so... that could have gone better).  Cardwell, Calloway and Thomas are all capable RBs behind Ott

In theory the offense is loaded at the skill positions.  We have ohio state, notre dame and utah transfers who all have shown quite a lot in camp at WR, and brought in the #4 big 10 receiving tight end from maryland.  How capable Mendoza and/or Rogers are getting them the ball is a bit of an open question.  Mendoza looked ok in a disjointed UC Davis game, Rogers looked a bit rougher.

2. Run defense against Davis was - somewhat surprisingly to my eyes, if I'm honest - one of the best performances of the Cal era under Wilcox.  Won't claim that will hold up all year and against power 5 teams, but thats what PFF says, not me. Cal vs. UC Davis Football: The Good and the Bad (writeforcalifornia.com)

3/4. No argument.  Our team was great at generating turnovers last year, but also great at giving them up.  Any road game in a hostile environment gets a lot easier if you can generate some turnovers.  And the same game will get a lot harder if you give up turnovers.  

5. Not really, see line 1

6. Maybe.  While Wilcox's defenses have gotten worse over his tenure, DBs have consistently been a strong point and we have a bunch of transfers (a few SEC guys along with one of the best FCS CBs and others) coming in this year.  

Our main issues are on the lines.  Cal hasn't recruited an NFL o-lineman in what seems like a decade.  We also missed on a few very high profile DT targets in the NIL/Portal space.  Auburn will certainly have an advantage there.  Not an insurmountable one, but a significant one.

"Auburn beat Cal in Cali last year when Auburn had a much worse team than the current team. Cal had the #17 transfer class coming in, but only one of the wide receivers they added had an impact in the first game."

2 counterpoints - 1, admit it, you expected to boatrace us last year too.  Every Auburn podcast was predicting something along the lines of.. well, many points to not very many.  As you may recall, the SEC refs gave you a gift out of the gate and took a Cal defensive touchdown off the board for reasons still unknown to science.  You may also recall we missed 4 field goals (on a related note, potentially our biggest portal add was one of the best kickers in the country... its an amazing feeling when you actually get annoyed at a college kicker missing a 55+ yarder, but here we are).

No doubt, Auburns final drive to win the game was impressive and we were unable to stop it.  But to pretend the teams weren't very much equal and that Auburn may not have even had the chance to win had not all the breaks gone their way is a bit naive.

In any case, can't wait for the game. Let me know what I need to see / do before kick off... i've had a great time at SEC venues before (even when we have gotten dumpstered). Go Bears!

Thanks! You'll notice how many comments on this thread assume Cal in game #1,  with 1/3 of the team impressive transfers, is indicative of Cal #2. Best of luck but, not too much luck.😉

[Mike4AU 1,755]

@66stang408 having lived three years in Cali and many years in bama, I can tell you that the car scene here in no way compares to the car scene in Cali. That said, we’re not just a bunch of hicks driving beat up pickup trucks (and you never even hinted that). 
 
The Magic City Octane Club meets once a month at the Summit shopping center in Bham, and tons of all kinds of cool cars show up for 3 hours on the second Saturday of every month.  In addition to that, there is another club (I can’t remember its name) that meets every month to show off their really expensive cars.  Ferrari, Lambo, McLaren, etc.  

Back to the game…this AU team is nothing like the team last year.  I fully expect AU to score, at least, in the mid to high 30’s.  I expect Cal to score in the 20’s.   
 

Again, glad to have you here!

[Auburn93 754]

11 hours ago, Viper said:

The game I watched against UC Davis, AU should easily cover the 13-point spread.

If it's close again (one-score game), Freeze is going to be a hot topic amongst Monday morning quarterbacks.

You can't compare games. Our OL will be tested by CAL's DL. This will drastically change how people think this game will go. 

[66stang408 34]

12 minutes ago, Auburn93 said:

You can't compare games. Our OL will be tested by CAL's DL. This will drastically change how people think this game will go. 

i mean, getting a team to agree to shortened quarters (and still dropping 70) *is* objectively impressive. if i were an auburn fan i'd be enjoying that kool aid too.

the only comparable situation I can think of is one from rugby, when Stanford more or less surrendered to Cal and decided not to play one year (around ~2000) because their coach was certain several of his players would end up in the hospital.

[66stang408 34]

if you're curious on that rugby story: Top 50 Cal Sports Moments -- No. 36: Forfeit Email, 2001 (si.com)

[gravejd 3,304]

1 minute ago, Auburn93 said:

You can't compare games. Our OL will be tested by CAL's DL. This will drastically change how people think this game will go. 

Agreed, i think people are putting way to much stock in ours and Cals first game results. I mean thats all we have to go on so i understand the reasoning but I just don't think you can make any conclusions based on what happened in those games. I saw some encouraging signs from AU in the first game. Like we actually worked on the passing game against a weaker opponent. I think we now have WRs who can better compete for those 50/50 balls. Both very encouraging things to see! But I also saw some pretty bad throws from Thorne and a lot of those TD passes we had against A&M were wide open. They will not be that open against Cal you can bet on that. 

I think both lines on the AU side are complete unknowns. Will we be able to block Cal and can we put pressure on the QB without bringing extra rushers and exposing the secondary? Can AU defense keep the Cal run game in check and prevent long grinding drives? This game can turn bad real quick like if Cal gets some long drives and AU has a few 3and outs trying to push the ball down field. Are our coaches committed to the down field passing attack we showed against A&M or was that just due to the fact A&M kept trying to cover our wideouts 1on1? 

[Viper 3,477]

3 hours ago, Auburn93 said:

You can't compare games. Our OL will be tested by CAL's DL. This will drastically change how people think this game will go. 

Cal is not a high school team like AL A&M. But yes, you absolutely can compare games.

No, our OL will not dominate Cal’s D like we did that high school team. But it’s a far better OL than the one we took to Berkeley last year.

Going up against Cal’s OL, UC Davis looked like a mid-level PAC 12 team. Mendoza is a pocket passer. He better have a 2.5 second timer in his head.

That’s just my takeaways from watching the game…not counting Sir Barnsalot’s takeaways.

Edited September 5 by Viper

[HAPvsOA 408]

On 9/3/2024 at 5:49 PM, WFE12 said:

Yeah, I'm in Berkeley ATM and can confirm that it's not a big sports town.

Also, this isn't necessarily scouting Cal, but there is a virus going around the city that's comparable to a bad flu. I'm at a local Dr's office now and it's crammed with people with similar symptoms and most people are looking rough. Like labored breathing, full-body ache, having trouble moving rough. I'm not sure if the Cal team will be exposed to this, but it's going to be rough for any of them that catch this bug.

[66stang408 34]

18 minutes ago, HAPvsOA said:

Yeah, I'm in Berkeley ATM and can confirm that it's not a big sports town.

Also, this isn't necessarily scouting Cal, but there is a virus going around the city that's comparable to a bad flu. I'm at a local Dr's office now and it's crammed with people with similar symptoms and most people are looking rough. Like labored breathing, full-body ache, having trouble moving rough. I'm not sure if the Cal team will be exposed to this, but it's going to be rough for any of them that catch this bug.

oh thats just our friendly lawrence livermore biolab plying its trade.  nothing to worry about

[Viper 3,477]

3 hours ago, gravejd said:

Are our coaches committed to the down field passing attack we showed against A&M or was that just due to the fact A&M kept trying to cover our wideouts 1on1?

I agree with Cubelic & McElroy in that Freeze wanted to get every WR involved in Game 1 to see what they could do in real game action and for confidence purposes. That was going to happen regardless of coverage type.

[SphyNxXx 98]

4 hours ago, Mike4AU said:

@66stang408 having lived three years in Cali and many years in bama, I can tell you that the car scene here in no way compares to the car scene in Cali. That said, we’re not just a bunch of hicks driving beat up pickup trucks (and you never even hinted that). 
 
The Magic City Octane Club meets once a month at the Summit shopping center in Bham, and tons of all kinds of cool cars show up for 3 hours on the second Saturday of every month.  In addition to that, there is another club (I can’t remember its name) that meets every month to show off their really expensive cars.  Ferrari, Lambo, McLaren, etc.  

Back to the game…this AU team is nothing like the team last year.  I fully expect AU to score, at least, in the mid to high 30’s.  I expect Cal to score in the 20’s.   
 

Again, glad to have you here!

I occasionally like to stop by MCO with my son in my 2000 Corvette convertible.

[Mike4AU 1,755]

2 minutes ago, SphyNxXx said:

I occasionally like to stop by MCO with my son in my 2000 Corvette convertible.

Yeah, it’s a cool show. I go to it occasionally to take photos of cars. When it gets hot, I don’t go. 

[AUTigers910 66]

6 hours ago, gravejd said:

Agreed, i think people are putting way to much stock in ours and Cals first game results. I mean thats all we have to go on so i understand the reasoning but I just don't think you can make any conclusions based on what happened in those games. I saw some encouraging signs from AU in the first game. Like we actually worked on the passing game against a weaker opponent. I think we now have WRs who can better compete for those 50/50 balls. Both very encouraging things to see! But I also saw some pretty bad throws from Thorne and a lot of those TD passes we had against A&M were wide open. They will not be that open against Cal you can bet on that. 

I think both lines on the AU side are complete unknowns. Will we be able to block Cal and can we put pressure on the QB without bringing extra rushers and exposing the secondary? Can AU defense keep the Cal run game in check and prevent long grinding drives? This game can turn bad real quick like if Cal gets some long drives and AU has a few 3and outs trying to push the ball down field. Are our coaches committed to the down field passing attack we showed against A&M or was that just due to the fact A&M kept trying to cover our wideouts 1on1? 

I agree that you can’t exclusively say that the Cal team from game one to game two will be the same, but you can still get a feel for how the game will go and who has the advantage. From watching, it seems both teams are going to have to get downfield with the intermediate passing game and the running game.

That being said, technique doesn’t usually drastically change in a week, and Cal had serious problems with open field tackling. Of course, scheme can prevent some of that, assuming they line up correctly. 

But considering they will essentially have to play a man down from last game, where they didn’t respect the QBs legs at all, the only way I don’t see Auburn’s offense putting up respectable numbers is if we don’t execute or Cal executes positionally at a much higher rate. 

I am worried about our defense as a whole, but I think our experience at linebacker will help us this game more than others with what I am expecting out of them.

[Gowebb11 9,851]

AU has a better roster than last year and should win, especially at home. But Cal has high caliber athletes and a lot of transfers from big time programs. We need to seize control early and not let up. A slow start could lead to a 4th quarter nail biter. 

[Viper 3,477]

14 hours ago, AUTigers910 said:

I am worried about our defense as a whole, but I think our experience at linebacker will help us this game more than others with what I am expecting out of them.

Asante had one of the Top 5 AU LB games I’ve ever seen v Cal last season. Hoping he has a repeat performance. 

[66stang408 34]

23 hours ago, Mike4AU said:

Again, glad to have you here!

On a flight from LA right now.  Haven't seen any Auburn logos, only a couple Cal guys.  Still, should be a decent Cal contingent (not quite Auburn from last year but you might be suprised)

Good luck tomorrow y'all

[aucanucktiger 1,875]

21 hours ago, HAPvsOA said:

Yeah, I'm in Berkeley ATM and can confirm that it's not a big sports town.

Also, this isn't necessarily scouting Cal, but there is a virus going around the city that's comparable to a bad flu. I'm at a local Dr's office now and it's crammed with people with similar symptoms and most people are looking rough. Like labored breathing, full-body ache, having trouble moving rough. I'm not sure if the Cal team will be exposed to this, but it's going to be rough for any of them that catch this bug.

Cal crew (rowing) has had legendary success and Cal fan support for decades. Highest lactic acid levels ever recorded in a human are Crew (pain every race like football players rarely ever experience - 800m track is distant second). Not a typical spectator sport (no stadium) and national media simply doesn't understand it so doesnt cover it. Google e.g. Cal/Washington or Cal/Stanford. Or Cal at IRAs (east coast regatta). 

[Hank2020 3,321]

On 9/5/2024 at 10:13 AM, aucanucktiger said:

Thanks! You'll notice how many comments on this thread assume Cal in game #1,  with 1/3 of the team impressive transfers, is indicative of Cal #2. Best of luck but, not too much luck.😉

Most probably assume Cal week 1is about the same as Cal week 2.

[Viper 3,477]

On 9/4/2024 at 11:59 PM, Viper said:

The game I watched against UC Davis, AU should easily cover the 13-point spread.

If it's close again (one-score game), Freeze is going to be a hot topic amongst Monday morning quarterbacks.

[66stang408 34]

just wanted to say - had a blast, every fan we met was gracious both before and after the game.  "aggressively friendly" is how i described it, at skybar and other places the night before it felt like anyone who noticed us came up to ask how we were doing and making sure we were treated well.  and we made it (just) in time to see the eagle fly to the field, which is a damn cool tradition.  good luck the rest of the way!

[Hank2020 3,321]

On 9/6/2024 at 11:05 AM, Hank2020 said:

Most probably assume Cal week 1is about the same as Cal week 2.

This comment (mine) sure did not simmer long.

[BornAU76 417]

2 minutes ago, Hank2020 said:

This comment (mine) sure did not simmer long.

Problem was AU week 2 was not AU from week 1!  But, CAL played hard and pushed us to failure, hats off to them.