When Davis Webb committed to attend the University of Colorado for his final year of eligibility following his graduation from Texas Tech, many Buff fans rejoiced. Webb is considered by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. to be the top senior QB in the country.
Between his commitment and graduation, however, Webb opted to go to Cal to replace Jared Goff, the recent #1 pick in the NFL draft. Many of the CU Buff's more vocal "fringe" fans went berserk when Webb opted to go to Cal and immediately started wishing him ill and bad fortune for turning his back on the Buffs.
Many rationalized their bad sportsmanship by pointing out that Cal was also in the Pac-12, and therefore a rival school... They conveniently fail to remember that Cal is in the Pac-12 North and Colorado is in the Pac-12 South and ARE NOT even scheduled to play this year. They also forget that this is Webb's last year of college play and that he will NEVER play against Colorado, except in the unlikely instance that CU wins the South and Cal wins the North division of the Pac-12. There is also a very remote possibility that the Buffs and Bears could meet in a bowl game.
Like myself, most of the Buff alumni from out of state grew up in Pac-12 (or Pac-10 or Pac-8) territory. They are familiar with schools from the Conference of Champions. And in most cases, they root for fellow conference teams to win against non-conference opponents. The Pac-12 doing well against every other conference makes the Pac-12 look better.
That's why it's frustrating when the "fringe" fans take the sporting world much too seriously, and take a young man's decision to the best thing for his possible future in the NFL as a personal affront.
To hear folks wish Webb failure or injury is sickening, and should be strongly repudiated by real fans.
Cal and Hawaii (two teams the Buffs have played each of the last 2 years) opened the college football season last night in Sydney, Australia. After a less-than-stellar start that saw the two teams tied 14-14 in the first quarter, Cal showed the Pac-12 is stronger. The Bears outscored the Rainbow Warriors 37-17 over the rest of the game and headed back to California with a 51-31 victory.
How did Webb do?
It depends on who you ask, I suppose. Remember that Cal lost not-only the #1 NFL draft pick this year, but they also lost their TOP SIX receivers as well. That meant that Webb was throwing to a bunch of guys with little game-day experience. And early in the game it showed..., but the final numbers were pretty darn impressive.
Davis Webb had 38 completions in 54 attempts for 441 yards, with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown. Webb threw completions to 12 different receivers.
Cal as a whole put up 630 yards of offense, and scored 6 of 7 times in the red zone. The Golden Bears rushed for 189 yards.
Conclusions?
Webb and his receivers looked like they were getting used to each other early in the game, but kept after it and achieved what they were trying to achieve. Webb looked every bit the top senior quarterback in the country playing in a new system with inexperienced receivers. By the time Pac-12 play starts, Webb and gang should be firing on all cylinders.
The Buffs' "fringe" fans should be relieved that the Buffs do not face Webb this year. Davis looks very much like a young man destined to put up big numbers this year and hear his name called in next year's NFL draft.
I, for one, wish him nothing but the best.
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