CEFL Photo Essay: Chapter V – The PAC Ten Conference

Heading into Round 4 the PAC Ten was all about USC. USC was 3-0 and hadn’t really been challenged heading into its game with Cal (2-1). UCLA was fresh off an impressive dominating victory against Army, who had just defeated a #1 Nebraska team in its prior game. All indications pointed to a showdown in Round 5 between USC and UCLA for all of the marbles.

But first USC had to deal with a pesky 1-loss Cal team. Cal had been flying below the radar after losing its first game to Notre Dame in Round 1, with USC and UCLA getting all of the attention, even though Cal had managed a win against UCLA in Round 2. Cal wasn’t flashy. It has a below average offense, but a trend was developing across the CEFL: defensive teams were beginning to rise to the top of the rankings. Cal had quitely developed a top 5 ranked defensive squad.

The PAC Ten was turned upside down when USC’s flashy offense was shut out 7-0 by Cal. Cal used a balanced ground and air attack to manage the field on offense and held USC to 46 total yards (51 rushing, -5 passing) in the game. Suddenly, Cal, with victories over both USC and UCLA had rendered the final USC/UCLA showdown meaningless if it could defeat 1-3 Oregon in Round 5.

UCLA defeated USC early on in Round 5, leaving UCLA 4-1 and hoping for a Cal loss. Since Cal had lost its out of conference game, UCLA could still win the PAC Ten Championship if Cal ended up with 2 losses. Cal had trouble moving the ball against Oregon, but managed a modest 7-0 win, thanks to Cal’s defense, which had now risen to the #2 defense in the land with successive shutouts. Cal was the PAC Ten Champion!!!

The Bowl Comittees now had an interesting dilemma. Navy and Notre Dame, each 5-0 would be invited to a bowl game. But which of the two conference champions would join them? Auburn was the first odd-man out, because it had 2 losses and Michigan, Colorado and Cal were each 4-1. The Orange Bowl Committee decided that Cal was in, because its only loss was a very close 3-0 game with 5-0 Notre Dame in which Cal suffered from 2 interceptions.

Colorado’s argument was that its only loss was to 5-0 Navy. With a 14-0 score, it was a more substantial loss than Cal’s loss to Notre Dame. Michigan’s only loss was to 2-3 Illinois, but was primarily the result of a quirky fumble. The Committees directed Michigan and Colorado to play each other for the final Bowl invitation.

After Michigan defeated Colorado 10-0 in the extra game, Michigan received an invitation to the Sugar Bowl. Thus, the table is set:

Sugar Bowl: Michigan vs. Notre Dame

Orange Bowl: Cal vs. Navy

Winners to play in CEFL Rose Bowl III