I didn't really see a talent gap out there. Granted Cal is not USC or Oregon, but, we looked like a Pac 12 team out there today (albeit a bumbling one at times). I think the defense is starting to gel.
One other positive
- Thread starter random soul
- Start date
The defense gave up 27 to a guy who'll be in the NFL next season, and it had a chance to win the game late. It's too bad the offense can't put teams away.
The offense put the last two teams away, and didn't in this game. Falk is holding the ball too long, but that will progress- there were some monster throws, and he's a sophomore. I liked a lot about this game, outside of a few plays and the end result. Hopefully they carry it to the next game and fix those few plays. I can't see more 3rd and 36 conversions.
I'm honestly surprised we aren't hearing Aaron Rodgers comparisons yet.
Because you know, Cal. And awesomeness.
It's almost a bad thing he had that monster game against OSU and the flashes of brilliance during his first couple starts, cuz people expect him to play like a 5th year senior rather than a 7-start soph. He's got tons of potential and he'll get there, but he needs more reps. Would Bledsoe have looked any better under the same circumstances? I doubt it.
Stop the Drew Bledsoe comparisons. Bledsoe was a physical freak but a mediocre college QB untill his last two games. Look at his stats for god sake. Falk did not have a good game, but he is way ahead of Bledsoe 7 starts in. Drew made you say "woooo" alot with that cannon, but that was followed by, "ooh sheet" alot too, because his mental skill lagged behind.
He sure had some Bledsoe-like throws out there, didn't he?
I guess you missed my point--Bledsoe--the #1 draft pick--wasn't very good until his junior season. Falk wasn't lights out this game, but he didn't stink either. However, people expected him to play like a first round draft pick even though he's only played 7 games.
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You missed my point -- for all his physical tools and huge upside, Bledsoe wasn't a good college QB. Going into the UW game his junior year he had thrown 15 TDs and 15 INTs he was completing only 53% of his passes and had a dismal PER of less than 120 (demotion range). He actually played better as soph. He played lights out against the UW and Utah, made some sick throws on the national stage, and vaulted to the #1 player in the draft (oozing potential). Compare Falk to the great Cougar QBs, Gesser/Leaf at the top of the list, but don't compare him to a guys whose numbers are very similar to Jeff Tuel's. It is no comparision at all.
I don't really care about Bledsoe, I'm just saying cut the 7-start soph some slack.
- An undefeated mid tier team lead by a QB with 29 starts vs a QB with 9 starts.
- Where one of those TDs was from special teams and some critical mistakes like Marks fumble / Onsides kick turnovers
The spread was 19 points. We did much better than what was expected. We have some things to clean up but it's within reach.
Honest question.....which WSU QB in the system right now gives us the best chance to win? If anyone thinks Bender or Hillinski are better options and will develop more quickly than Falk, I'd like to know. Certainly, Luke has much to work on, but I thought he threw some incredibly great passes yesterday and converted a high percentage of 3rd down passes (9 of 15). We haven't had that kind of production from a RS soph QB in a long time, I suspect. He's playing well enough for us to win some of these games, but he's not going to win the game by himself.
Glad Cougar
Glad Cougar
It's funny that when we won the last two games, you were all about "well, who cares that they won, they should have looked better", and now, having played a pretty good game in a loss, you're a "no moral victories, winning is all that matters" guy.
Those shouldn't be the same guy- unless they're both a guy who likes to complain no matter what the circumstances.
That's a hard question. We haven't seen much of Bender and I would hate to start over. Falk has done some really great things. He isn't a bad QB, but I want him to cross into that next level plane where instead of just a game manager he has that killer instinct.
Bender throws an incredible ball, but what with that comes inexperience. Hillinski has even less than Bender...so no matter what we are dealing with inexperience everywhere. If they all are battling experience than you play the fastest learner / highest upside.
It's just frustrating to watch Falk because of how much opportunity he has with the time he gets.
Right now in conference...
He's #1 in Yards/game
#2 in Comp Pct.
#6 in Yds/attempt
#4 in TDs
#5 in QBR
but 1 ranking that isn't in the passing stats is sacks / game which we one of the best at in the conference until Cal where we dropped to #10. out of 12 giving up 7 sacks...that doesn't include the ones where he decided to run for like a yard or something.
The difference between quick decision Falk, and cautious Falk is the difference between a complete domination in all stats, and where we are at today.
Now he doesn't have to go full Halliday and just throw it to throw it somewhere, but if he can quicken his reads and decisions it will be a tremendous turn for him and the offense.
Had we won, this would have been a significant game.
We didn't win
We are in last place.
We didn't win
We are in last place.
We've played 1 conference game.
Oregon State same record, Washington same record,
Arizona is 0-2 in conference Colorado also 0-1
So out of 12 teams 5 haven't won a game in conference.
Oh, let nookie enjoy this loss. He has so few joys in life.
Besides, if WSU had won the game after uw lost....there would really been hell to pay.
Yeah, you stupid rookie QB playing the most difficult position to learn and become good at--you should be g'damned Tom Brady-like already, what the hell is your problem? Lets pull him out of there and start over from scratch with Bender so we can be saying "this is big boy football" when Bender is making the same rookie mistakes 8 or 9 games into his starting role. The nerve of these guys, acting like they need development time.
Two 4th down stops by the D. Some Turn Overs that went our way. Some breakdowns that cost us momentum and possessions. Mixed bag, but more good than bad, and likelihood of continued improvement. We'll pull some upsets this season.
