Losing the Big Game in the way the team did is immensely frustrating, and particularly so for any long distance visitors on Saturday…but not having the Axe shouldn’t make this an unsuccessful season by any stretch.
For one, they beat USC, a thorn that hadn’t been removed from their side for 14 years.
For two, they earned a bowl berth to get those much needed off-season practices — how useful they’ll be on offense isn’t clear, but as preparation for the next generation of Cal defenders, they should prove invaluable, regardless of that result.
I get that not beating our biggest rival is upsetting.