Here we are again Cal fans, hopes and dreams ruined after two face-plants in the Pac-10 against USC and Oregon. However, we still have a lot to play for this season, and the first thing on that list is to get Cal's first win in LA (USC included) in the Tedford era, and the first Cal win in Pasadena since 1993. I really have no idea what to expect from this Cal team now, since we were so high on them 3 weeks into the season and now so low. There are two things that are clear however, we need to get Jahvid Best some running room, and the only way to do that is to have Kevin Riley throw to our receivers accurately. If Riley starts spewing the ball around the Rose Bowl like he's a 7th grade QB again, we'll have no chance. UCLA will stack the box just like the Trojans and Ducks, which will bottle up Jahvid for the 3rd consecutive game. From there, we will go 3 and out quite often, and our defense will get tired enough for Kevin Prince to move the Bruins down the field.

Tedford has been under a bit of fire for the first time as the head man at Cal after our two most embarrassing losses ever, so it will be interesting to see how he responds in a place where he has had zero luck. Now, I can understand not winning at USC in his tenure. The Trojans are always National Title contenders. However, never winning at the Rose Bowl against mediocre UCLA teams is not OK. In 2005 we had the game won, only to see special teams mistakes and Joe Ayoob ineptitude give the game to the Bruins. In 2007 Nate Longshore decided to start sucking and threw a pick six to Alterran Verner in a game that we really should have won as well. All in all, we've been disappointing in LA and this may be the year to finally change that since we have already lost everything.

I have travelled to every LA game since I was a Cal freshman in 2004 and this is the first time I will not be on the road to support the Bears. Maybe my absence will be a good luck charm for the Bears...if that's the case I'll be extremely happy. Let's go out and compete tomorrow for our pride, to change our status in LA, and to give our season a chance at success. Go Bears!