Cal football - Redemption possible?

Last week at Oregon was no fluke. The soon-to-be unranked Cal football team tried to explain their 42-3 loss to the Ducks last week as uncharacteristic. And it did seem that way after their 3-0 start to the season.

But #7 USC pummelled the #24 Bears tonight 30-3 and revealed a Cal team with deeper problems. That's two field goals scored in two weeks. The Bears have not scored a touchdown since they visited Minnesota. Jahvid Best scored all five touchdowns that day, making him the only Cal player to score a touchdown in the last three games.

But, a few positive things to consider.

1. At least the defense performed a little better tonight, allowing the Trojans just one field goal in the third quarter, and one touchdown in the fourth - although that was the first time this season Cal allowed its opponent a touchdown in the final stanza.

2. The Bears get a break next Saturday, giving them two weeks of practice before they head down to challenge UCLA in Pasadena. They need to calm down and review the fundamentals - especially red zone offense.

3. This is USC! Did anyone actually think we were going to win? Our loss to Oregon was the key to our downfall, not the Trojans.

The Bears never really had a chance tonight. Going into the game the entire team's confidence was still aching from the Oregon humiliation, and Riley threw an interception, instead of a touchdown, in the endzone during our opening drive against USC.

Many fans believe the season is over because Cal will drop from the rankings, the Pac-10 title is probably out of reach, and Best's chances at the Heisman have disintegrated.

This is a disappointing reality, but I hope the Bears stay focused the next two weeks. If they summon their confidence and control the Bruins on Oct. 17, they can prove their resilience and their desire to win - and most importantly, their refusal to give up.

As we say every year: well, maybe next year.