Sep 7, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA; Portland State Vikings quarterback Kieran McDonagh (4) elects to run against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
#7 Portland State
While this will be the first game played on the shiny new turf, there just happen to be more exciting games down the road. I’m not going to pretend that these types of games don’t make me uncomfortable. I mean after Montana State in 2010 and Eastern Washington in 2012, I still think about how a loss in this game is not only what would ruin a potential breakout season but is also possible.
Last year Portland State gave Cal all they could handle and let it slip away at the end. Make no mistake, they are not afraid of a big stage. Now here is the part where I point out on Cal’s best day last year they wouldn’t come close to the Cougar team that will be taking the field this year. There is always a lesson to be learned in any case though.
This is an exciting game for the sole purpose of it being the introduction of a new Martin Stadium, that now stands with the big boys of the Pac-12. The game however I see as another Idaho situation. I plan on attending this game myself but the game itself doesn’t intrigue me. I expect this to be a blowout.