Somewhere I read that the 5 stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, then acceptance. And this past Saturday proved to be a day full of grief. Starting about midway through the 4th quarter.

Stage 1: Denial

This can't be happening. Why does our defensive line suck so much today? How can you not score from the 1 yard line? Our team is better than this.

Stage 2: Anger

Frickin A. This is Oregon State! In the word of Vince Lombardi, what the hell is going on out there? The offense is sucking it up and we can't defend a screen pass. I would not have laid the 14 points if I knew Longshore was going to be out.

Stage 3: Bargaining

Come on, Tedford, let Nate Longshore play hurt. Please get the ball to DeSean Jackson. I don't even care about the 14 point spread. Just win.

Stage 4: Depression

Oh man, LSU lost, and we can't take advantage. Could have been #1, but I guess we don't deserve it. I didn't really want to go to New Orleans anyways.

Return to Stage 3: More Bargaining

Oh man, we just scored to make it a one possession game. We might have a chance. Please just pull this one out somehow. Get a sack, force a fumble, anything. We can let Ohio State take #1. I'll settle for staying at #2.

Stage 1 Revisited: Denial

He really didn't just get tackled in bounds to end the game. No timeouts, ball in FG range, 14 seconds, you take one shot at the end zone or you throw it away. Every high school quarterback or Madden player knows this, right?

Stage 2 Revisited: Furious Anger

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!! What the???? How??? AAARRRGGGGGGGGG!!!! Cal Mad! Cal Smash!

Stage 4 Revisited: Depression

Boston Red Sox blow a game because of Gagne. Sharks lose in the final seconds because of a crooked referee. Whatever. I'm avoiding SportsCenter tonight.

(A long time later)
Stage 5: Acceptance

This college football season is so crazy, nobody knows what will happen the rest of the season. We can still get to the Rose Bowl if we win out. It's just a game. There are more important things to care about. I may have this confused with stage 1.


(It was a rough sports weekend, but it could have been worse. I managed to break even thanks to the Pats and Saints. Jeff Gordon won another race and is in command of the Chase.)