Thoughts on the Cal game

[JasonB]

- Amazing turnout, the best in stadium history for Thanksgiving week.
- Jennings was amazing. Somehow PFF only gave him credit for two Big Time Throws, but the back-to-back-to-back throws he made, with the final one being the ball that three defenders dove at and still made the target was incredible. They put a lot on his shoulders. I know he took a lot more time to release the ball than the other games, but that is the Cal defense - they have the ability to lock up on the outside and then throw a bunch of zones at you in the middle. It is hard to read. When they played Miami, Cam Ward had the same issue and just had to buy himself a lot of time to figure things out.
- In the running back room, Brashard gutted another game out and was solid in the running game and outstanding in the passing game. McFall added a lot of electricity on the field, and is going to impact both the ACC Championship game and the playoffs. I bet that by the time we get to the playoffs, both LJ and Brashard will be healthy.
- That said, the running game is still a concern. We only ran it 29 times today. The last three games it has been subpar. The line hasn't been blowing people off the line since the BC game. Part of that was Parr not playing today. Sparks does well technically, but doesn't get the drive in zone blocking and isn't as mobile or effective when it comes to the Gap plays that we run. The penalties, of course, killed us as well and really impacted the ability to run the ball. But it wasn't just Sparks, across the board we didn't block very well in the running game and pass protection. It was surprising because there were a lot of plays where only 6 were in the box and we chose to pass. What Cal was doing was starting players back in the RPO and trying to trick Jennings into calling the run, and then sneding the safeties up into the box immediately and had the LBs attack the LOS. It was really dynamic. Great scheme from Cal. But we have got to turn the running game around.
- In pass protection, Byrd really struggled in the first half with both 44 and 7. He got pulled at some point in the second quarter and we put Chamblee in, who did a little better, but struggled some as well. This is something to watch because Clemson has an outstanding defensive line.
- HIbner was great, especially the early TD. Hudson was having a really nice day, just needed to come down with the one TD from Jennings that went through his hands.
- On defense, Cal ran a total of 68 plays. We got 20 pressures. That is an amazing number. Really spread out across the team as well. Only credited with 5 sacks, but 17 tackles for a loss is a great number as well. The DL has played amazing since the BC game.
- Under 3 yards per carry again. Run defense is incredible. All three levels - DL, LB and S all play well. Not allowing big explosives from that group is a big deal. We dominated the line and shut them down. NWO had another double digit tackle day.
- Huge props to both the defensive players and Symons for that performance. Rogers is not an awful QB. And to be prepared for a pocket passer all week and find out right before the game you are going to get a completely different style of QB is a really difficult challenge. You saw it hurt us once on a zone read keeper early around the left side that went for a big gain, and then there was the other scramble he got hurt on that was a designed QB draw. But really bottled it up. And then you have to face a tall QB that you have zero clue about. The defense adjusted well and really pretty much shut Cal down. Great job by both the players and the staff.


And now, on to the championship game and then the playoffs. Yes, we are a lock for the playoffs. The committee is not going to let a championship game derail an undefeated conference season in a power 4 conference, especially after in the three head-to-head games this weekend, the ACC certainly showed that we can play with the SEC. Louisville reminded everyone how bad Kentucky is, which takes Ole Miss out of the running. SMU is a lock for the playoffs. Clemson is playing the ACC championship game to try and steal a bid from Bama/South Carolina/Colorado/BYU, who are the next teams in line. But a 5-3 conference record should never be good enough for the college football playoffs.

[Mustangs_Maroons]

I hope you’re right about being a lock for the CFP. With my experience with any committee (football or basketball), if we give them any discretion they usually if not always screw us. I couldn’t watch the game live but did record it and was able to watch it.

I do think we can and should beat Clemson. However, my concerns are:

- ability to run the ball when needed to (ie, red zone)
- too many self inflicted mistakes and penalties. It has been going on all year so not sure we should expect it to be different next game
- this will feel like an away game for our team
- cannot think about what Clemson has done for the last 10 years as a program. Need to have the mentality we are better and be just as physical. I worry about the Clemson DL against our OL, we just need some openings because our offensive players have elite speed which Clemson will struggle with to match. While they may be big on the defensive side I don’t think they’re as fast.

Just a side commentary. I dislike these UT fans wearing their shirts and sweaters everywhere they go, including in stadiums when their team isn’t even playing. Try to accessorize once in a while. Not everything has to be that ugly burnt orange.

[Charleston Pony]

Agree that was a nice crowd (by SMU standards) for a Thanksgiving Saturday game. Announced 33k but appeared to be a spread out 25-27k that I've always said looks pretty good in Ford. Glad we get Clemson and you are right that this will be like a home game for them. I would expect Clemson to bring at least 40k and as many as 50k to this game and it will be good practice for our team as we go to Clemson's Death Valley next year and that's a really tough place to play. Loved seeing McFall in this game and he looks like a mini-Brashard with his quickness and speed. If Camar and Rooster can come back next year the RB room will be deep and formidable.

I would not call SMU a lock for the CFP. If we lose a really close game to Clemson, I think there's a good chance we could get an at-large invite and the ACC gets 2 teams in with Clemson and SMU. I think the ACC Champ is a lock (1), Big 10 has 4 locks (5), Notre Dame is in (6), Big XII champ gets in (7) and Boise State is in barring an upset in the MWC championship game (8). Texas, Georgia and Tennessee are locks (11) so that leaves 3 SEC teams with 3 losses each (Bama, Ole Miss and S. Carolina) competing with a possible 2 loss SMU (if Clemson beats us next week) a 2 loss Miami and a 2 loss BYU (who both lost 2 of their last 3 games).

Hard for me to believe the Big 10 is stronger than the SEC so you know the committee will want to put a 4th SEC team in and that could be at our expense. Would love to see Boise upset in the MWC championship as that would allow the committee to qualify Bama or Ole Miss and still award SMU for our undefeated ACC regular season. Bottom line in my mind is that the only way we are guaranteed a spot in the CFP is as ACC Champs which should earn us a # 3 seed

[highlander]

I don’t think there’s any way SMU get an at-large bid. I’ve seen this movie.

[Big Hoss]

Just a side commentary. I dislike these UT fans wearing their shirts and sweaters everywhere they go, including in stadiums when their team isn’t even playing. Try to accessorize once in a while. Not everything has to be that ugly burnt orange.

I don’t understand why people do this either. Or really, any jersey of a team that isn’t playing in the game you are actually attending. There was a dude in a USC jersey at our game yesterday. So strange.

The only time I get it s when it’s a game like in London and they wear whatever jersey they own because it’s the only NFL game being played there.

[mrydel]

If I go to an Arkansas game due to the proximity to my home and I have no loyalty to either team but just love college football, you had best be sure I will be wearing SMU gear.

[indianmustang]

i dont think we are lock,every espn show is telling if we lose we are out

[geezerdonk]

If there is anyway, at all for the selection committee to exclude SMU, they will find it.

[Nedward]

We are not in if we don't win the conf game. Now, if I see big movement on Tuesday for us then I will re-evaluate. But sadly, this is our reality.

[BUS]

Let's wait for Tuesday.

[Dukie]

Let's wait for Tuesday.

And base nothing on what trolls say.

[JasonB]

i dont think we are lock,every espn show is telling if we lose we are out

Their job is to start arguments. It is like watching political talk on any cable news network.

What happened to Florida State last year would never, ever have happened in a 12 team playoff.

The committee has said time and time again that they aren't going to punish a team for making the conference championship game. It is different if you are ranked outside the top 10 and are on the bubble heading into the championship game (like the Big 12 teams and Clemson). But they aren't going to punish Georgia and SMU if they lose in the conference championship game. Indiana, SMU, and Notre Dame all have similar characteristics right now. You can't say the other teams are in and SMU and Georgia are out just because SMU and Georgia qualified for their CCG. Clemson has an opportunity to steal a bid, but it isn't going to be stealing it from SMU.

[indianmustang]

https://www.si.com/college/cal/football ... je1x5ttbz7

[peruna81]

i dont think we are lock,every espn show is telling if we lose we are out

Their job is to start arguments. It is like watching political talk on any cable news network.

What happened to Florida State last year would never, ever have happened in a 12 team playoff.

The committee has said time and time again that they aren't going to punish a team for making the conference championship game. It is different if you are ranked outside the top 10 and are on the bubble heading into the championship game (like the Big 12 teams and Clemson). But they aren't going to punish Georgia and SMU if they lose in the conference championship game. Indiana, SMU, and Notre Dame all have similar characteristics right now. You can't say the other teams are in and SMU and Georgia are out just because SMU and Georgia qualified for their CCG. Clemson has an opportunity to steal a bid, but it isn't going to be stealing it from SMU.

From your mouth to ....the committee's ears.
Psalms 118:8: "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

[indianmustang]

i dont think we are lock,every espn show is telling if we lose we are out

Their job is to start arguments. It is like watching political talk on any cable news network.

What happened to Florida State last year would never, ever have happened in a 12 team playoff.

The committee has said time and time again that they aren't going to punish a team for making the conference championship game. It is different if you are ranked outside the top 10 and are on the bubble heading into the championship game (like the Big 12 teams and Clemson). But they aren't going to punish Georgia and SMU if they lose in the conference championship game. Indiana, SMU, and Notre Dame all have similar characteristics right now. You can't say the other teams are in and SMU and Georgia are out just because SMU and Georgia qualified for their CCG. Clemson has an opportunity to steal a bid, but it isn't going to be stealing it from SMU.

i hope you are right