On one hand, the play calling on both sides of the ball was average to below average at best. Though I actually believe the one call fans are incited about (the 3rd and 3 pass to Lasco off the bootleg fake) was a great call that USC just made a fantastic play on. Yet too many times, USC D seemed to know when we would run or pass.
And in general under Dykes, Cal is still a team that expects to lose to a team like USC which is why we failed to make the plays necessary to win.
On the other hand, we bounced back from UCLA and showed marked improvement at the LOS. Best protection of the year for Goff, decent pass rush and a far stiffer run defense. The team in general played hard, physical football. Outside of 4-5 plays, the team as a hole played well enough to win.
No moral victories. The challenge instead is that it wasn't a step forward or a step back performance for Dykes. We didn't play like a team that had lost its confidence and sense of self NOR did we play like a team that was ready to break through positively. The only value in terms of evaluating Dykes is that if we play like this and lose 2 more times, then it will further solidify the Dykes is mediocre view.
And in general under Dykes, Cal is still a team that expects to lose to a team like USC which is why we failed to make the plays necessary to win.
On the other hand, we bounced back from UCLA and showed marked improvement at the LOS. Best protection of the year for Goff, decent pass rush and a far stiffer run defense. The team in general played hard, physical football. Outside of 4-5 plays, the team as a hole played well enough to win.
No moral victories. The challenge instead is that it wasn't a step forward or a step back performance for Dykes. We didn't play like a team that had lost its confidence and sense of self NOR did we play like a team that was ready to break through positively. The only value in terms of evaluating Dykes is that if we play like this and lose 2 more times, then it will further solidify the Dykes is mediocre view.
