I have watched thousands of football games over my lifetime and can honestly say that was the most gutless and uninspiring coaching performance between two coaching staffs I think I have ever seen in my life.
Let's start with Stanford's defense against Cal's offense...
Stanford Defense
Play 5+ yards off the WRs on virtually every play? Even on 3rd and 3? I get the idea that you don't want to be beat deep, and want to make an opposing offense execute all the way down the field, but try competing out there over more than just 10-20 yards of the field! Don't willingly give up yards on every play, and suddenly only care about getting stops inside the 10 yard line. It's just totally uninspiring to watch. Not once did I think watching that game that Cal's OL - which is so bad all year - was a weakness. Playing soft coverage played right into Cal's hands and took away its greatest weakness.
Cal Offense
Of course, Cal couldn't take advantage because Cal had to equal Stanford's timidity. Go for it on the first 4th down - make it - and never again the rest of the game? Are you freaking kidding me? Even when Stanford was giving 5+ yards cushions on every play? Cal lost this game when Dykes punted in the second quarter inside Stanford territory. But then again, he should have also gone for it on 4th down inside the 10 at least once, instead of settling for FGs. And Goff... Is it possible for a QB to fail to make more winning plays? Yes, the receivers drop plenty, but some of his throws on the money downs were downright sad.
Stanford's Offense
Did they throw the ball beyond the sticks more than three times all game? Not a single play-action fake to punish Cal for selling out completely to stop the short yardage attempts? Those are opportunities for huge plays if you have any play calling guts whatsoever when a defense is selling out so completely to stop the inside dive. I get that the run is the bread and butter, and maybe you can beat Cal running with impunity, but you're not beating Notre Dame, USCLA passing for less than 100 yards.
Cal's Defense
Actually, I thought Cal's defense was the best unit on the field between both teams last night, and I really liked Kaufman's approach. Well-timed blitzes, dared Stanford to throw, which they didn't do much, and kept them from making any big plays except the CMac screen TD. Too bad he got so little help from the TFS.
The bottom line is this game was yet another proof point of how Dykes is being clowned by better coaching staffs. Stanford rolls out the most cowardice game plan you will ever see, not even challenging Cal on defense until the red zone, and Cal can't justify going for it on 4th down to try making them pay for being so soft. On top of that, Dykes punts down 19 with 5 minutes to go, and when the score is cut to 35-22 with about 2 mins left he doesn't even try an onside kick?
As fans, we don't want to watch teams be passive and play not to lose. That game was all about two coaches playing not to lose more than to win, and it was just downright uninspiring to watch.
Let's start with Stanford's defense against Cal's offense...
Stanford Defense
Play 5+ yards off the WRs on virtually every play? Even on 3rd and 3? I get the idea that you don't want to be beat deep, and want to make an opposing offense execute all the way down the field, but try competing out there over more than just 10-20 yards of the field! Don't willingly give up yards on every play, and suddenly only care about getting stops inside the 10 yard line. It's just totally uninspiring to watch. Not once did I think watching that game that Cal's OL - which is so bad all year - was a weakness. Playing soft coverage played right into Cal's hands and took away its greatest weakness.
Cal Offense
Of course, Cal couldn't take advantage because Cal had to equal Stanford's timidity. Go for it on the first 4th down - make it - and never again the rest of the game? Are you freaking kidding me? Even when Stanford was giving 5+ yards cushions on every play? Cal lost this game when Dykes punted in the second quarter inside Stanford territory. But then again, he should have also gone for it on 4th down inside the 10 at least once, instead of settling for FGs. And Goff... Is it possible for a QB to fail to make more winning plays? Yes, the receivers drop plenty, but some of his throws on the money downs were downright sad.
Stanford's Offense
Did they throw the ball beyond the sticks more than three times all game? Not a single play-action fake to punish Cal for selling out completely to stop the short yardage attempts? Those are opportunities for huge plays if you have any play calling guts whatsoever when a defense is selling out so completely to stop the inside dive. I get that the run is the bread and butter, and maybe you can beat Cal running with impunity, but you're not beating Notre Dame, USCLA passing for less than 100 yards.
Cal's Defense
Actually, I thought Cal's defense was the best unit on the field between both teams last night, and I really liked Kaufman's approach. Well-timed blitzes, dared Stanford to throw, which they didn't do much, and kept them from making any big plays except the CMac screen TD. Too bad he got so little help from the TFS.
The bottom line is this game was yet another proof point of how Dykes is being clowned by better coaching staffs. Stanford rolls out the most cowardice game plan you will ever see, not even challenging Cal on defense until the red zone, and Cal can't justify going for it on 4th down to try making them pay for being so soft. On top of that, Dykes punts down 19 with 5 minutes to go, and when the score is cut to 35-22 with about 2 mins left he doesn't even try an onside kick?
As fans, we don't want to watch teams be passive and play not to lose. That game was all about two coaches playing not to lose more than to win, and it was just downright uninspiring to watch.
