By Dave Newhouse, STAFF WRITER
BERKELEY — This will be the unspoken theme Saturday in Knoxville: Cal is trying to become what Tennessee was in college football. Jeff Tedford is building a BCS-caliber program at Cal. But he first needs to match the consistency Phillip Fulmer has achieved at Tennessee. Tedford would love to be thought of in the same context as Fulmer, a coach who produces Top 10 teams that play in major bowls most years. Cal hasn't gotten there yet, while Tennessee lost its way last year. The Volunteers finished 5-6 in Fulmer's first losing experience and thus weren't invited to a bowl game for the first time since 1988.
Fulmer wishes to become BCS-worthy again, while Vols fans are demanding the same thing. Meanwhile, Tedford desires to take Cal to its first BCS bowl, though Bears fans show considerably more patience. Nevertheless, both coaches will be lobbying for BCS votes when their teams collide in the season opener at hot, humid Neyland Stadium. Tedford and Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory have been looking at Tennessee tapes so long, their eyes have turned a shade of orange.
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