PICKIN’ ON THE BIG XII: SPECIAL “IT’S 138 DEGREES ON THE FIELD AT ARROWHEAD” EDITION

CALIFORNIA v. KANSAS STATE

Billed as “The BCA Classic”. “BCA” stands for “Black Coaches Association.” Which neither of these teams has until you get deep into the ranks of position coaches. Oh, the hypocrisy!

Anyway, you know how every year there’s one team out there that just massively overachieves and racks up a record that nobody could have possibly predicted–like Iowa last year, or Iowa State the year before, and so on? You know how there’s one of those teams that rises up mightily against opponents with national-title aspirations and makes a huge “statement” victory?

Well, Cal’s not that team. Jeff Tedford found great success last season, mostly due to Kyle Boller’s excellent year. But Boller’s now in Baltimore, that Gulag Archipelago for quarterbacks, and whomever will be starting for Cal (I don’t care enough to look it up) will be going against one of the most bloodthirsty defenses in a conference where the linebackers are fed hardtack and swill just to keep them mean. Cal’s team defense was down in 90s last year, and it’s hard to imagine they’ll do a very good job of containing KSU’s multiple offensive weapons.

Factor in that this is hardly a neutral-site game (it’s being played in Kansas City) and it’s doubtful that Cal will ever find any traction under its feet. K-State will wind up treating the Bears like one of their usual, technical-college type out-of-conference opponents, and the season gets off to a less-than-watchable start. But I’ll watch it anyway. My prediction:

PRO BOLLER’S ASSOCIATION 13
PASSIONATE PURPLE POWERCATS 42