Three bold predictions for WSU vs. Cal

Good morning Coug fans. I hope you didn’t have plans for this afternoon. The switch to a 1 p.m. kickoff might have come in the way of my outdoor snow plans, but we solider on and adapt.

Our Washington State Cougars are at home to welcome the California Golden Bears for the first December home game since the 2010 Apple Cup. Cal is coming off a win over the Oregon Ducks, while our Cougs are coming off a drubbing against the USC Trojans. I’m guessing the Bears are feeling pretty good right now, and let’s hope our Cougs put the USC game way behind them.

You’ve often heard us refer to “Cal BS” or something similar. You’ve probably said the same thing a time or two. That’s because these games against Cal since that infamous missed field goal in 2014 often give us weird, frustrating or heart attack-inducing moments. Let’s review:

• 2014: I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed an angrier crowd leaving the stadium as I did after we missed that 19-yard field goal to lose 60-59. I wasn’t at the 2002 Apple Cup, though.
• 2015: For some reason, we ran a fake punt in this one and our poor punter fumbled. Then, trailing by a six with less than eight minutes to go and Cal pinned near their own end zone, WSU allowed the Bears to convert a 3rd and 36 ON A DRAW PLAY. My goodness.
• 2016: This is the only game against Cal in the last six seasons that didn’t give us any heartache.
• 2017: One of the worst performances of Luke Falk’s career. However, had we not got called for holding on that opening kick return TD, who knows what might have happened.
• 2018: We won, but it sure wasn’t easy, and a missed field goal and missed extra point that nearly went the other way for two points got everyone’s blood pressure way too high.
• 2019: The wrong team got called for a 57-yard penalty. Guess which team.

On that cheery note, let’s get to some awful predictions:

Three Bold Predictions

1. Joey Hobert’s bare hands haul in his first touchdown reception, as Jayden de Laura starts to spread the wealth to receivers not named Bell or Harris.
2. Chase Garbers, still horrified from his performance the last time he played in Pullman, throws an interception on his first drive of the game.
3. Cal scores on a fake field goal because it’s Cal.

Go Cougs.

Cougar women down Huskies in Seattle

WSU was up 37-16 at halftime and never looked back. Great win!

Links

Washington State game against California to kick off at 1 p.m. on FOX | The Spokesman-Review
The ever-changing Pac-12 football landscape in 2020 did so again on Friday afternoon, when the conference announced the cancellation of Saturday's rivalry game between Washington and Oregon.

Washington State mailbag: Digging into the Cougars' run-and-shoot offense after three games | The Spokesman-Review
It's customary for the mailbag to fill up with a few more questions after a head-scratching loss than on the heels of a momentous win. That trend held true after Washington State's 38-13 defeat at USC on Sunday.

Cal Football: Can Bears Continue to Stifle Washington State Offense? - Sports Illustrated Cal Bears News, Analysis and More
Cal slowed Mike Leach's Air Raid attack, but now must deal with Nick Rolovich's run-and-shoot offense, which is similar to the Air Raid but has some key differences

Cal Gets the Chance to Play Some Old-Time Football on a Chilly Night at WSU - Sports Illustrated Cal Bears News, Analysis and More
Old Blues Will Remember the Last-Minute Loss at Pullman in 1996

Washington State vs Cal Prediction, Game Preview
Washington State Cougars vs Cal Golden Bears prediction and game preview.

Canzano: Pac-12 Conference is burning, will someone please put it out? - oregonlive.com
Commissioner Larry Scott holding the matches

Two-minute drill: Keys to victory for Washington State against California | The Spokesman-Review
Renard Bell has taken quick to learning Nick Rolovich's run-and-shoot offense and through three games is the Pac-12's leader in multiple receiving categories.