ANG Newspapers: Heavily favored Cal has room to improve

By Dave Newhouse, STAFF WRITER 

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Cal has been a double-digit favorite in its four games this season, including tonight's expected onslaught at New Mexico State, where the Golden Bears are a 30-point pick. And Cal has had only double-digit victories so far, its closest win coming by 15 points over

Illinois (35-20) last Saturday. So there's plenty to be pleased with, if you're Cal coach Jeff Tedford.  But there's also a lot to be displeased with, if you're Tedford. "We have not come close yet to reaching our potential as a team, in any phase of the game," he pointed out. "We have a lot to work on. That's mainly what we talk about, getting better week in and week out. And it doesn't matter who we play."

So for Old Blues who worry how Cal will get up for the Aggies, a team they've steamrolledtwice in the last three years, don't worry.  There was no betting line on Cal's opener with Division I-AA Sacramento State, and the Bears avoided a UC Davis-Stanford outcome by winning 41-3. Cal then worked over Washington 56-17 prior to Illinois. Tedford's players have gotten the message about the need for improvement. "That's how we look at it," said offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan. "Coach always says it's not who plays, but how we play ... though lately we've been playing better on the road."  Tonight will be Cal's first football game ever in the state of New Mexico. "It's kind of fun going to new places," said O'Callaghan.

Joe Ayoob's growth at quarterback has been chronicled heavily, and Tedford doesn't appreciate the focus.

"The finger gets pointed at Joe because he's the quarterback," the coach said. "But when players run wrong routes, when the back takes the wrong track and runs into (Ayoob), those things are pointed to Joe because he's the new guy and the focal point is on him.  "Of course, Joe is still learning every time out, but so are all the other young players. It's just being on the same page. Those are the things we need to work through and get better with." Pointing the finger elsewhere, offensive linemen Scott Smith and Bryan Deemer made their first Cal starts last week because of injuries. "Scott Smith played real well," said Tedford. "I thought Deemer, given the opportunity, could play better. There are things you do well and things you wish you had back. I thought Deemer had a few plays he wishes he could have back."  Smith and Deemer could start again as Andrew Cameron and Aaron Merz (concussions) didn't make the trip. Tailback Marshawn Lynch (broken/dislocated finger) is with the team and will suit up tonight, but he won't start and likely won't play.