Andy Smith's Wonder Teams made the '20s a great decade
I’ve written previously on another website about Cal’s records by decade, specifically how many winning seasons versus losing seasons the Bears have had in each decade and their Big Game records in each decade. Despite re-gaining the Axe in 2019, the previous decade was the worst in Cal history for Big Games. In every preceding decade the Bears beat Stanfurd at least twice. From 2010-2019 the Bears managed the feat but once. The Bears had only four winning seasons in the ‘10s. This is a far cry from the eight winning seasons in the ‘00s but as you will see below, better than some decades.
For each decade I’ll look at Cal’s winning versus losing seasons, their Big Game record and how many great teams they boasted. A great team is defined — by me — as having met one of the following criteria: winning or sharing the conference title, finishing in the top ten or losing one or no games.
In the twenties the Bears sparkled, having winning seasons in nine of ten years, winning six Big Games and boasting seven great teams.
The thirties were a bit of drop of as the Bears had seven winning teams, one at .500 and two losing seasons (bookending the decade). There were three great teams —Stub Allison’s Thunder Teams (’35, ’37 ’38). Cal once again won six of ten Big Big Games.
The forties started horribly but ended spectacularly. The Bears had three winning seasons at the end preceded by six losing seasons and one at .500. There were three great teams (’47-’49) under Pappy Waldorf and the Bears won four of the seven Big Games played in the decade.
The fifties were a mixed bag with four winning seasons, four losing seasons and two at .500. The Bears dominated the Big Game going eight and two. There were two great teams. (’50 and ’58).
The Sixties were terrible with the Bears posting only two winning seasons and two at .500 while only winning two Big Games and boasting no great teams.
The Sturdy Golden Ones bounced back a bit in the seventies having winning seasons six times and managing four Big Games victories and one great season (’75).
The Eighties were again abysmal. One winning season (’82), one .500 season (’83), no great teams and a four and six record in Big Games.
The Nineties were barely better with three winning seasons in the first four years and none thereafter, a two and eight Big Game record and one great team (’91).
At last came success in the 00s as the Bears had winning records eight times and won seven of ten Big Games. They also produced two great teams (’04, ’06).
The teens were a step in wrong direction with four winning seasons, one Big Game win (’19) and no great teams.
Ranking the decades:
1. Twenties
2. Oughts
2. Thirties
4. Fifties
5. Seventies
6. Forties
7. Nineties
8. Teens
9. Eighties
10. Sixties
Let’s hope the second version of the twenties matches the last one. Wilcox Wonder Teams anyone?
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