[Roberton3]

Its like someone forgot to teach our guys what chop blocks are and not to do them.

You mean "Its like someone forgot to teach the refs what chop blocks are."

[Roberton3]

Its like someone forgot to teach our guys what chop blocks are and not to do them.

You mean "Its like someone forgot to teach the refs what chop blocks are."

[rudruff]

I don't know how you teach those two how to not do that in the chop block call.

Garnett couldn't have seen Wright without turning around and Wright got to the guy first.

[rudruff]

I don't know how you teach those two how to not do that in the chop block call.

Garnett couldn't have seen Wright without turning around and Wright got to the guy first.

[Trevmiesterj]

Pure offensive torture but the defense played valiantly today.

Totally wrung out after this eye gouging loss.  Not sure I can even watch Oregon v Sparty.

[Trevmiesterj]

Pure offensive torture but the defense played valiantly today.

Totally wrung out after this eye gouging loss.  Not sure I can even watch Oregon v Sparty.

[martyup]

What can a coach possibly say to his team in the locker room after a game like that?  Can't fault the defense, that's for sure.

[martyup]

What can a coach possibly say to his team in the locker room after a game like that?  Can't fault the defense, that's for sure.

[dabigv13]

What can a coach possibly say to his team in the locker room after a game like that?  Can't fault the defense, that's for sure.

"Sorry guys"

[dabigv13]

What can a coach possibly say to his team in the locker room after a game like that?  Can't fault the defense, that's for sure.

"Sorry guys"

[81alum]

That was depressing in many ways.  It was depressing because we easily could have won the game and did not.  The chop block call was just one of many disappointments.  But even if we got the break and won this game would still have exposed some serious problems about the state of the team.

1) Our O-line is indeed inexperienced and has a long way to go before it will become the well oiled machine we have come to expect. 

2) While our secondary looked very good, our D-line was not consistent against the run.  A former strength now seems to be in question.

3) Our coaches decided to forgo two (three?) FG attempts--including a chip shot, in a game we lost by 3, and suffered from other questionable play calling.  In fact, poor play calling did not lose the game, but better play calling almost certainly would have won it.

I am beginning to think my 9-3 season prediction was a bit optimistic.

[81alum]

That was depressing in many ways.  It was depressing because we easily could have won the game and did not.  The chop block call was just one of many disappointments.  But even if we got the break and won this game would still have exposed some serious problems about the state of the team.

1) Our O-line is indeed inexperienced and has a long way to go before it will become the well oiled machine we have come to expect. 

2) While our secondary looked very good, our D-line was not consistent against the run.  A former strength now seems to be in question.

3) Our coaches decided to forgo two (three?) FG attempts--including a chip shot, in a game we lost by 3, and suffered from other questionable play calling.  In fact, poor play calling did not lose the game, but better play calling almost certainly would have won it.

I am beginning to think my 9-3 season prediction was a bit optimistic.

[Tycho124]

Play calling was problematic.  The only thing worse than having to endure this loss is losing the game and living in Los Angeles.  The local media will crown USC National Champs and Sarkisian will be made mayor.  To the victor go the spoils.

[Tycho124]

Play calling was problematic.  The only thing worse than having to endure this loss is losing the game and living in Los Angeles.  The local media will crown USC National Champs and Sarkisian will be made mayor.  To the victor go the spoils.

[washingtonismoney]

My least favorite part of every loss is a rush to assign one and only one factor sole responsibility for the loss and ignore the efforts of opponents, etc. Let's be real: it's rarely true for most games and it's definitely not true for this one.

I predicted 8-4 before the season, but I think I was wrong on the downside. I'm surprised at the level of pessimism about the future.

[washingtonismoney]

My least favorite part of every loss is a rush to assign one and only one factor sole responsibility for the loss and ignore the efforts of opponents, etc. Let's be real: it's rarely true for most games and it's definitely not true for this one.

I predicted 8-4 before the season, but I think I was wrong on the downside. I'm surprised at the level of pessimism about the future.

[JohnR34231]

Anyone notice a pattern here? In our last four losses (Utah, U$C, Michigan State and U$C again) the offense has had the ball late in the contest with a chance to go down and win the game and couldn't get it done. Discouraging.

[JohnR34231]

Anyone notice a pattern here? In our last four losses (Utah, U$C, Michigan State and U$C again) the offense has had the ball late in the contest with a chance to go down and win the game and couldn't get it done. Discouraging.

[Oasis]

This hurts.  A lot.  And I have to live with these $C fans and listen to their delusions of superiority for another year.  Right down the hall they are starting some obscene celebration. 

But almost nothing is ever as bad (or as good) as it looks at first.  We can still win the North and see these guys again, if they survive so long, in the championship game. 

Stanford has a much better team than $C, but today we choked repeatedly at critical times.  That 4th down near the $C goal line looked just like the last play vs. Michigan State.  It brought back the horror and the pain.  The Hogan fumble happened in a different world.  I refuse to believe it.

Time for a few drinks.

[Oasis]

This hurts.  A lot.  And I have to live with these $C fans and listen to their delusions of superiority for another year.  Right down the hall they are starting some obscene celebration. 

But almost nothing is ever as bad (or as good) as it looks at first.  We can still win the North and see these guys again, if they survive so long, in the championship game. 

Stanford has a much better team than $C, but today we choked repeatedly at critical times.  That 4th down near the $C goal line looked just like the last play vs. Michigan State.  It brought back the horror and the pain.  The Hogan fumble happened in a different world.  I refuse to believe it.

Time for a few drinks.

[martyup]

As difficult it was to watch this loss, at least in some sense the pressure is now off of our team.  Perhaps they can now just go out and play ball and have fun.

[martyup]

As difficult it was to watch this loss, at least in some sense the pressure is now off of our team.  Perhaps they can now just go out and play ball and have fun.

[81alum]

My least favorite part of every loss is a rush to assign one and only one factor sole responsibility for the loss and ignore the efforts of opponents, etc. Let's be real: it's rarely true for most games and it's definitely not true for this one.

I predicted 8-4 before the season, but I think I was wrong on the downside. I'm surprised at the level of pessimism about the future.

WIM, I think your original prediction is quite apt.  For months we have been saying that the season will largely depend upon how quickly our rebuilt O-line can come together.  Well, the answer is...it is going to take some more time.  I am sure they will improve.  Will it be before the road games at Washington and Notre Dame?

[81alum]

My least favorite part of every loss is a rush to assign one and only one factor sole responsibility for the loss and ignore the efforts of opponents, etc. Let's be real: it's rarely true for most games and it's definitely not true for this one.

I predicted 8-4 before the season, but I think I was wrong on the downside. I'm surprised at the level of pessimism about the future.

WIM, I think your original prediction is quite apt.  For months we have been saying that the season will largely depend upon how quickly our rebuilt O-line can come together.  Well, the answer is...it is going to take some more time.  I am sure they will improve.  Will it be before the road games at Washington and Notre Dame?

[Rally]

I could not have dreamt a nightmare situation where we dominated on both sides of the ball... and then lose the game.

Why not?  We did last year, too.

[Rally]

I could not have dreamt a nightmare situation where we dominated on both sides of the ball... and then lose the game.

Why not?  We did last year, too.

[washingtonismoney]

WIM, I think your original prediction is quite apt.  For months we have been saying that the season will largely depend upon how quickly our rebuilt O-line can come together.  Well, the answer is...it is going to take some more time.  I am sure they will improve.  Will it be before the road games at Washington and the University of Dead Fake Girlfriends?

well, look, even with the o-line worries the offense was by and large very effective (aside from, obviously, the redzone). If you assume college-average performance in the redzone the team destroys SC going away. Even if you think there's some sort of endemic Stanford problem in the redzone you have to admit today's debacle is unusual. So this strikes me as a classic outlier from which there will probably be progression to the mean.

So there are two opportunities for big upside:
a) redzone improvement
b) O-line gelling

If either or both improve we're in excellent shape offensively. And the defense played SC a lot better this year than it did a (less-talented?) UW last year.

[washingtonismoney]

WIM, I think your original prediction is quite apt.  For months we have been saying that the season will largely depend upon how quickly our rebuilt O-line can come together.  Well, the answer is...it is going to take some more time.  I am sure they will improve.  Will it be before the road games at Washington and the University of Dead Fake Girlfriends?

well, look, even with the o-line worries the offense was by and large very effective (aside from, obviously, the redzone). If you assume college-average performance in the redzone the team destroys SC going away. Even if you think there's some sort of endemic Stanford problem in the redzone you have to admit today's debacle is unusual. So this strikes me as a classic outlier from which there will probably be progression to the mean.

So there are two opportunities for big upside:
a) redzone improvement
b) O-line gelling

If either or both improve we're in excellent shape offensively. And the defense played SC a lot better this year than it did a (less-talented?) UW last year.

[scorecard]

That sucked, since we dominated that game and found a way to lose.  But in the end, our chances at the Pac-12 title always meant that we need to beat Oregon.  That hasn't changed.  And if we do beat Oregon, then I would expect and love to see USC one more time in the title game.  Because, as they say, payback is a b*tch.

[scorecard]

That sucked, since we dominated that game and found a way to lose.  But in the end, our chances at the Pac-12 title always meant that we need to beat Oregon.  That hasn't changed.  And if we do beat Oregon, then I would expect and love to see USC one more time in the title game.  Because, as they say, payback is a b*tch.

[martyup]

Because, as they say, payback is a b*tch.

Yes, they say that.  But, today we were the bitches.

[martyup]

Because, as they say, payback is a b*tch.

Yes, they say that.  But, today we were the bitches.

[Durty Nelly]

Jordan Williamson fail!!!  1-3 in field goals and a short miss is not acceptable.

[Durty Nelly]

Jordan Williamson fail!!!  1-3 in field goals and a short miss is not acceptable.

[Rally]

According to a Lombardi tweet, Shaw said (not a direct quote). "The problem in the Red zone is me."  This idea that we can tell the world what we are goong to do and dare it to stop it is so arrogant.  Hubris.  Against Davis?  Sure, but not against a real team.  Then we try a FG from 49, but not from 47, then miss one from 30 something so don't try from something like the 5.  I don't get it.  Some great effort from many of our guys today, and lots of bonehead mistakes.  Killed the first drive.  The chop block call?  Seemed unfair but is the rule.  Apropos of nothing, if I were Haden I would be giving Sark an earful about now for embarrassing me by calling me down for nothing.  Warned once, penalty second time.  Cut and dried and you shouldn't need the AD to explain it to you.

[Rally]

According to a Lombardi tweet, Shaw said (not a direct quote). "The problem in the Red zone is me."  This idea that we can tell the world what we are goong to do and dare it to stop it is so arrogant.  Hubris.  Against Davis?  Sure, but not against a real team.  Then we try a FG from 49, but not from 47, then miss one from 30 something so don't try from something like the 5.  I don't get it.  Some great effort from many of our guys today, and lots of bonehead mistakes.  Killed the first drive.  The chop block call?  Seemed unfair but is the rule.  Apropos of nothing, if I were Haden I would be giving Sark an earful about now for embarrassing me by calling me down for nothing.  Warned once, penalty second time.  Cut and dried and you shouldn't need the AD to explain it to you.

[fullmetal]

I think maybe Shaw is finally seeing something.  Gotta think outside the box and reevaluate with fresh eyes.  Maybe Akina can shed some light.  Good time to regroup...and re-teach tackling.

[fullmetal]

I think maybe Shaw is finally seeing something.  Gotta think outside the box and reevaluate with fresh eyes.  Maybe Akina can shed some light.  Good time to regroup...and re-teach tackling.

[Kathy]

I hate those guys.

[Kathy]

I hate those guys.