Pregame Guesses: Cal
by Achilles on Oct 24, 2008 11:09 AM PDT
in Football
70 comments
I got to get a few things off my chest about Cal.
Let me start with:
Why do Cal fans hate UCLA so much?
There was a thread on their blog and one on ours a few months or a year ago and basically they went off on why they hate UCLA so much and we sort of responded. (If someone has the link, post, it, because I can't find it.)
I don't get it.
Confession: I sort of like Cal, as much as you can like a school that isn't your school. I have Cal friends, I'll root for Cal when UCLA isn't playing.
I've always seen Cal as the admittedly better academic school, while UCLA was the better athletic school. I'm a Southern California person all the way, so I've always preferred UCLA's campus and locaton, but I like going up to Berkeley and the Bay Area and always thought that Cal's campus was cool and the neighborhoods nearby were perfectly fun to visit.
Even more than that, I always felt their was a kinship between UCLA and Cal -- a kinship that ran a little deeper than the fact that they are both part of the same University of California.
Let's face it, a lot of people who went to Cal also were admitted to Berkeley and a lot of people who went to UCLA also were admitted to Cal. I'll concede that the numbers favor Cal. (Personal note: I applied only to UCLA and probably couldn't have gotten into Cal, but then again, I don't like hirsute women, so I wasn't going to Cal no matter what) But underlying that, I always thought there was a similarity between a set of really bright and interesting students who preferred the public school setting offered by both universities. If you want to leave the state, I've always sort of thought Michigan and Texas were cool, too, in the same "top public university" sort of way.
To me, whatever sports rivalry existed between Cal and UCLA was sort of a fun rivalry. Here's an analogy. UCLA-USC is more like a soccer rivalry, where the fans just don't like each other much and really don't want to associate with each other. But UCLA-Cal was more like a rugby rivarly, where you try to beat each other on the field, but after the game, you go to the pub and get drunk together.
And, let;'s be honest, I'm mostly being generous when I say there is a sports rivalry between UCLA and Cal. C'mon Cal fans, you don't have to have a higher SAT score to do that math on this one.
So, why do Cal fans hate UCLA so much?
If I recall correctly ...
1 - They don't like the fact that we "stole" their fight song.
Well, I don't like the fact that we stole their fight song either, because our fight song is weak. So, is Cal's. I've always thought it was a weak ass fight song. If fight songs are your thing, you really should have gone to a Big Ten school. (For the record, both of UCLA's fight songs sort of suck.)
2 - We stole the name, because Bruins is just another word for Bears.
Really? This bothers you?
I mean, there are bears in California. So, the first University of California nicknamed itself the Bears. So, the next school in the system ended up with Bruins. Is this a big deal? Besides, there are people upset about this who were born 30 years after the schools were named -- or 50 years after. I mean, this is silly. The Boston Bruins aren't mad at us and the Chicago Bears aren't mad at you ... how many school nicknames are there? Do you know how many teams are called Cougars? I don't know either, but there's a bunch of 'em.
This is no reason to get mad.
Then, there is the football rivalry thing.
Let me go on record as saying that Jeff Tedford is a top coach and Cal's football program is as good as its ever been in my memory. At this exact moment in time, Cal has the better record and has this decade basically had the better team.
But, it really takes a short memory to think that historically Cal has had a better football program than UCLA. It hasn't. Saying that Cal has traditionally had the better football team than UCLA is as dumb and misinformed as someone trying to prove that UCLA has had better academics over the years. It hasn't.
It's not clear why otherwise really smart Cal folks are so myopic when it comes to football.
Why can't UCLA and Cal compete and have a fun, friendly rivalry and save our mutual hate for USC.
I'll tell you what Cal fans, I don't really care about Stanford, but I'll hate them just for you.
~~~
This week's video:
Someone I don't want to mention wanted me to go with a Counting Crows song.
Because their lead singer is a Cal grad or something.
But, earth to you know who: Counting Crows are lame. They're lamer than our fight song. Sorry. I don't care if the guy did date Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston. I mean, Courteney Cox married an Arquette and Jennifer Aniston dates John Mayer -- clearly they're into some weak-ass dudes.
Then, I thought about going with a video of the band playing the fight song, just to piss off the Cal folks, but ... naaah ...
Instead I'll just go with this:
Creedence Clearwater Revival- Midnight Special (via luvzCCR)
~~~
This week's guesses:
1 - True or false: UCLA will score a touchdown on offense of 20 yards or more
2 - Name a Bruin with an interception
3 - Which team will rush for more yards, Cal or UCLA?
Put your guesses in the subject line. Guessing ends before the kickoff.
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Oh...and about Cal....
I am one of those that got into both Cal and UCLA. Due to that little fact, I had a pretty good impression of them when I first enrolled at UCLA. But that quickly changed. I had both season football and basketball tickets, and it didn’t take long to realize that the vitriol and nastiness displayed by Cal fans were only outdone by ’SC fans. It was brutal. I know the ’Zona fans were a bit chippy during basketball season, but nothing compared to Cal and ’SC. Those Jason Kidd years really brought out the worst in them.
I never really understood why they were like that, but I never regretted choosing UCLA over Cal. And maybe it is that they are all just so jealous. BruinRoar gets the credit for the picture below, but it really might explain a lot of the jealousy from them.
by OCBruin95 on Oct 24, 2008 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
he shoots ... HE SCORES!
Seriously, QED.
by Seanny Rotten on Oct 24, 2008 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh, the contest...
false, Brigham Harwell (hah), UCLA
by Seanny Rotten on Oct 24, 2008 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
On Cal...
I am a local (born < 1 mile from Sather Gate, grew up about 20 minutes away from Berkeley), but like Achilies, I really don’t get the hate from certain parts of the Cal fanbase. I grew up having Cal Alums on both sides of my family, including a former Cal athlete, and family friends who qualify as more than a big deal to the university. Aside from one day a year when they hoped for a beating of SC, I never heard much about the Bruins one way or another. Even from friends who also followed college sports, most of the bad feelings were reserved for the ’Furd.
by bruinhoo on Oct 24, 2008 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
False, none, Cal
as pessimistic as my guesses are, I still think that we are going to pull off the upset
Go Bruins!
by drumfool on Oct 24, 2008 12:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
False, Norris, Cal
i think teams are starting to figure out that you don’t mess with ATV
by bucknellbruin on Oct 24, 2008 12:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
False,Rahim M and Cal
Have always like Cal the University- You can keep the code Pink/U.S.Marine Corp hater city of Bezerkley! :-)
by GogetemBruins on Oct 24, 2008 12:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
True, Rahim, Cal
Jealous plain and simple. Cal was established before UCLA but have never come close to sniffin’ our nutz when it comes to athletic success. I used to root for them like you but now, they’re just plain annoying. Tedford is overrated. He is still living off of that 1 victory against SC. Since then, they’ve done nothing but disappoint and choke away games. Having said that, Tedford (and their open arms approach to athletes) is the best thing that has happened to them. Yet, I hear bitchin’ and moanin’ from Cal fans/alums about Tedford. HUH? You’ve got to be kidding me is all I can say. How they easily forget how booty of a program they were before Tedford arrived. Earth to Cal fans. You were never ND or Bama or Penn St. or whatever other university with a storied tradition. Enjoy Tedford and the success you’re having. But keep it in perspective. Enjoy it because CRN in due time will be spankin’ your asses up and down the football field real soon.
Go Bruins!
by BlueReign on Oct 24, 2008 12:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hatred
We discussed this a while back ago, and I think the winning theory is that certain people think that Norcal is superior to Socal, but most Socal natives don’t see a Norcal rivalry as something to get worked up over (except for maybe a Dodgers-Giants game, but even I will admit it was easier to hate them when Bonds was there).
I am one of those people who was accepted to both UCLA and Cal, and if UCLA never existed, I probably would have gone there, but I have no problem rooting for them when they don’t play us, provided them winning does not hurt our standing.
by bruinbabe2000 on Oct 24, 2008 12:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Plus we steal their water
First day on campus, in Sproul, sit at a random table. Guy asks us where we are all from. All No Cal but me. Once I tell him a local city he screams at me “you steal our water!” It’s as if he had been storing up that venom since birth. Swear, it must be the first thing they teach them in school.
by Free the 16 on Oct 24, 2008 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Right
By what logic do the good folks of the SF Bay Area “own” the waters of the Owens and Mono basins? Do they cop to stealing the water of Hetch-Hetchy and ruining an environment that John Muir compared to Yosemite Valley?
by bru79 on Oct 24, 2008 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, none, Cal
Ask 10 people to name the first thing that comes into their heads when you say “UCLA,” and eight will say “Johnny Wooden.” Ask 10 people to name the first thing that comes into their heads when you say “Berkeley” and all 10 will say “dope.” The guy who actually went to Cal will name eight kinds of dope that he is carrying at the time, and then he’ll go climb a tree.
by Fox 71 on Oct 24, 2008 12:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It doesn't help
When one of their latest controversies has to do with people sitting in trees.
by Tydides on Oct 24, 2008 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
NorCal v. SoCal
I think BruinBabe’s got the root issue. I grew up in NorCal and live here now. Whether it’s water being diverted to SoCal, a preceived SoCal superiority complex or just the annoying fact that when you tell anyone from out of state that you’re from CA, they picture sandy beaches and palm trees, people up here hate, hate, hate SoCal in general and LA in particular.
I obviously never bought into the whole thing (except the Dodgers, still hate them) but I was a CAL sports fan growing up. People were amazed and even sometimes disgusted that given the choice I’d go to UCLA. It wasn’t about the school as much as living “there”.
So I think this culture of LA hate seeps into CAL when CAL and UCLA are pitted against eachother in sports & academics artificially making a healthy rivalry into a hatred.
Go Bruins!
Tinman
by Tinman17 on Oct 24, 2008 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
NoCal vs. SoCal
Our family, originally from SoCal and UCLA, lived in the Bay Area for 5 years. I was astounded by the “hatred” of Los Angeles from my neighbors, acquaintances, and others from the City to San Jose. It is a “one way rivalry” as far as I am concerned. I like San Francisco, still support a local club there even though I rarely go north now, and like my area where we live now. The NoCals are taught somewhere, maybe at UCB, to hate all thing south of San Jose.
Bill
BillSouthBay
by Mensgym on Oct 24, 2008 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's Why
Berkeley was the original UC School. UCLA was established in 1919 as the Southern Branch of the University of California (CUBS when spelled backward). We went from Cubs to Grizzlies to Bruins, and have always been considered by Cal as the ugly stepbrother. Cal, in keeping with their liberal tendencies, always looked down at the Bruins, especially in light of the athletic success of UCLA.
I think it also carries that NorCal has always been jealous of SoCal because of the regional success of our sports teams (UCLA, Lakers and usc). Even Cal State Fullerton has had better success than anything the north has put out. Heck, even the weather is better!
Anyway you slice it, the southern California sports scene is superior to northern California, any day of the week ! Go Bruins!
by Brewintim714 on Oct 24, 2008 1:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A perfect example of the SoCal centric thinking that is so despised north of the grapevine. You could slice it through the NFL and see that the second largest metropolitan area can’t attract or keep an NFL team. Or that the fairweather fans (present company excluded of course) seem to lower their flags and head to the beach as soon as the playoffs aren’t looking likely.
Sorry peeps. I guess outside of UCLA I’m still a NorCal guy.
Tinman
by Tinman17 on Oct 24, 2008 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, it's usually conservatives who look down upon people, not liberals...
In any case, Cal is the older sibling that does not like the idea of its younger sibling beating it in any arena. The fact is that the 2 schools are fairly comparable and have more in common than they would like to admit.
by PeterUCLA on Oct 25, 2008 12:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Berkeley's flagship days are a thing of the past
I’ve long thought of Berkeley as a brother school, a reliable buddy with a similar commitment to quality and character, whereas I’ve thought of U$C as a silver-spoon cousin who doesn’t do his chores and then pouts for his mom to give him his ice cream. But I’ve been on Berkeley’s campus enough to have heard many crude disparagements of UCLA, with large heapings of profanity mixed into the vitriol. I suppose part of the reason some UCB students act this way is that they feel they don’t get their due. UCLA has caught up to and surpassed UCB in a variety of academic subjects, in athletics, in campus appearance, in fundraising magnitude, and in national exposure. UCB is still better in some areas of science and engineeringthough both are at the forefront internationally, and its faculty have more Nobels. Statistically, the quality of the students is virtually even, and what differences exist are negligible. Those Berkeley students (and alumni) who diss UCLA may just want to reassure themselves they made the right choice in going to school up north. They stll want to cling to the “flagship reputation” of Berkeley’s that became weathered and faded in the sixties.
I think both campuses are fine choices — heck, I received scholarship offers from both schools, as did many UCLA and UCB students — so I wish the two would put aside any pettiness and treat each other as brothers-in-arms. Each school is better than the other in certain respects, and both can join in the common purpose of promoting and advancing the prestige of public universities. From my vantage point living out of state now, it’s clear the two schools are superior to most, or all, of the nation’s other public universities. UCLA and UCB should enjoy spirited competition against each other in stadiums, and then work in concert to show that their affordable form of education can whip the $$$ model of many private schools.
by bryanucla on Oct 24, 2008 1:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
True, Verner, Cal
True About time we had a stretch-the-field score (more hope than prediction)
Verner Someone will get one, I think
Cal Their speed + our non-sterling tackling + our work-in-progress OL does not seem to favor us.
Not too many takers for UCLA on the third question. Better adjust the points or something.
FWIW, I think the answer to “Why does Cal hate UCLA so much?” is the same answer to “Why does the bay area hate soCal so much?”
The answer, in two words, is: en & vy
by Bruinut on Oct 24, 2008 1:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
True Moore UCLA
I thought I’d guess some freshmen to change it up. I’m counting on Moore and Coleman.
I don’t like CAL much at all actually. I like them less than any team in College football except for SUC. They’re a bunch of commies.
by captainqtp on Oct 24, 2008 1:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
true, Moore, Cal
need to win to make the statement that we aren’t pushovers in the pac-10
GO BRUINS!!! CHEER LIKE CHAMPIONS!!!
by bk bruin on Oct 24, 2008 1:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
True, Tony Dye, Cal
I think Cal hates UCLA because so cal punks no cal for their water. Just a guess.
by Ajax on Oct 24, 2008 2:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
false, none, Cal
Sigh…this again? I really don’t get it, especially since so many people from SoCal go to Berkely, and so many people from NorCal go to UCLA. And that goes for the athletes as well, so maybe it transpires throughout the campus. Feelings of resentment, mixed with some jealousy. For me, I think it’s because Cal thinks as a whole, their school has the same or more to offer than UCLA, and they can’t see why UCLA does so much better in athletics and it drives them bonkers. On top of that, I think there is a general “holier-than-thou” sentiment throughout that campus and they probably hate being associated with anything SoCal, what with the fancy cars, botox and fake boobs.
Love the soccer/rugby analogy, as an ex-rugger and soccer player myself. Ironic that Cal has a great rugby team too. It’s always said that soccer is a game of gentlemen played by thugs, and rugby is a game of thugs played by gentlemen…
by tasser10 on Oct 24, 2008 2:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Takes leather Balls to play rugby...
but it’s not much to hang your Athletic legacy on…:-)
by GogetemBruins on Oct 24, 2008 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sorry...
…I don’t know if I’m understanding correctly…are you ragging on rugby? Or on me?
For one thing, I can pretty much guarantee you than just about any true rugby player can tackle better than most of the players on our defense (or in football for that matter).
As for me, I don’t care much about my athletic legacy, but just to set you straight, I was a varsity rower at UCLA. And I did go get’em :)
by tasser10 on Oct 27, 2008 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cal
They’re not just the Bears but the Golden Bears. I mean how uppity is that? Anyway, I’m over the Cal-hating-on-UCLA business. If the commie pinko hippies up there (I’m kidding, of course) want to act like there’s a chip on their shoulder, it’s their problem. I’m going to sit back and focus on UCLA and not worry about anyone else.
by JWongUCLA on Oct 24, 2008 4:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
True, none, Cal
I’ve grown to like our fight song. It’s certainly not the greatest but at least it’s not pompous like SUC’s repetitive drone.
Personally, I think Michigan’s song is outstanding and I really like Notre Dame’s song, too.
by Barnes2JJ on Oct 24, 2008 4:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
True, Verner, Cal
I love our fight song. Gives me chills.
by Give me a B... on Oct 24, 2008 5:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Why they hate us
Personally, i always thought cal people hate ucla because of the decision they made in choosing cal > ucla. Most people choose cal because academically, cal is rated higher. But i can guarantee that if cal and ucla were equally ranked, many would choose ucla > cal. Consequently, I feel that a lot of cal people are bitter and feel that they need to justify their decision of choosing cal > ucla…they want to justify their school as a whole is better than ucla, while in reality, the only sure advantage you can give to cal is academics (of course i completely disagree)…their insecurity is shown through their ucla bashing. While most people who attend ucla, love it and thus feel less of a need to bash cal. People who chose ucla are more confident with their decision and thus don’t need to justify their choice with any bashing.
if this made no sense, that’s because i’m from cal.
if this made 100% sense, that’s because i’m from ucla and ucla only accepts winners.
by darrencollisonbombs on Oct 24, 2008 5:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
True, Dye, Cal
These guesses are for my brother jaffa who is in the band and is unable to access a computer in Millbrae.
by YRLBruin on Oct 24, 2008 7:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
True, ATV, Cal
Great choice with the CCR video!
by Desert Brewin' Fan on Oct 24, 2008 9:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
true, ayers, cal
blah… i love the bay, went to law school in berkeley. but they have some silly folks. people tell you there from east oakland, but they’re really from piedmont. people say they’re from sf, but they’re really from marin.and everyone is marshawn lynch’s cousin… there’s a general hater complex all around. it’s irrational, it’s silly, but whatever. and if you think the la times sports section is bad, the chronicle is horrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible.
Across The Face
by rb bruin on Oct 24, 2008 9:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
False, Moore, Cal
And, for the record, we started out as Cubs and only later changed our names to Bruins. Which may be why the University insists on using childish, cuddly representations of a bear when clearly a fierce roaring bear would make more sense as a mascot for a football team.
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
by MexiBruin on Oct 25, 2008 1:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
false, verner, cal
“Cal sees itself as the premiere college in the UC system and they resent the media attention that UCLA gets because of its sports success.” – my wife, Boalt graduate, on Cal’s feeling towards UCLA.
That seems like pretty good analysis to me, but I’d throw in other elements like the Bay Area’s disdain for LA as superficial, which is only exacerbated by UCLA’s proximity to Hollywood.
I have to disagree with the idea that they’re jealous, they have a true belief in their own superiority. What sets them off is the fact that the rest of the world doesn’t seem to agree.
by powderbluekoolaid on Oct 25, 2008 2:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
On the Academics
While Cal has always had the better reputation for academics (a well-earned reputation) the latest Times Higher Education Supplement rankings released two weeks ago out UCLA as the highest UC at No. 30 and Cal a few spots back at 36. While I’m not a fan of university rankings, the THES ones are probably the best as their criteria are better than other surveys. I also wouldn’t use this to wave in front of Cal fans to demonstrate UCLA’s superiority, but consider it more of a demonstration of the parity between the best two universities in the UC system.
Out of interest, CalTech and Stanford were both in the top twenty, while my current home came in 49th (not bad for a university with sweet FA funding) with SUC checking in at 102nd, behind UCSD, UCD and UCSB. Here’s the full rankings if any of you are interested: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/hybrid.asp?typeCode=243&pubCode=1
by irishbruin on Oct 25, 2008 2:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Cal Fans
Cal Fan is a classless , clueless myopian. For some reason they have become cocky about their football team. A couple years back when we had the great O, we had been down at the half big at the Rose Bowl. I got up to get a snack and Cal fan asked me if I was leaving already? I informed them that I would be leaving after their Butt-kicking was over. The boys backed me up with a phenomenal comeback . They have never won a big game as far as I can remember and their sense of entitlement is laughable.
We may be overmatched today, but I can’t wait till the Butt-kickin goes back the way it should be. By the way, I’m still laughing about their “hirsute women”.
GO BRUINS!
by BruinAl on Oct 25, 2008 8:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
loller skates - Cal grad from SoCal
If I were to take a poll of Cal grads IN GENERAL, I’d say less than a quarter of Cal fans actually hate UCLA. Being from SoCal originally (818 baby), I almost went to UCLA and have a lot of love for the school and the students. However, this “less than a quarter” minority is also the most vociferous and outspoken, and that’s prolly why you all seem to think that we hate you for all these dumb and arbitrary reasons. Am I upset that y’all have our fight song, similar colors, and a similar mascot? I could hardly care less! As for the academic/athletic chest-pounding business – chalk it up to ppl reaching for insults. I’m not thinking about SAT scores or US News Rankings when I’m watching football!
The one, real tangible reason that some hate UCLA is how they’re treated at games by UCLA fans. Y’all can be brutal. Last year, walking out of the Rose Bowl with an L was miserable enough; being heckled and otherwise being unable to make a graceful exit was PAINFUL. Making this problem worse is the fact that since most of my friends either went to Cal or UCLA, my UCLA buddies made sure to let me know what was UP after the ’07 game.
At the end of the day, the majority of UCLA and Cal fans have a lot of respect for the other school – but it only takes one or two bad experiences from a “typical UCLA/Cal fan” for things to go sour for that person. Just know that it’s a football game, people get drunk and heated and anything goes. If Cal loses on the road anywhere, I expect to be heckled – that’s just part of being a fan. just my two red pennies. good luck on the rest of your season Bruins
by totallyawesome on Oct 27, 2008 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
True, ATV, Cal
no surprises.
by Westwood is the best wood on Oct 25, 2008 10:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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