Jonathan Okanes
There is one pretty good teaching tool at Cal coach Jeff Tedford's disposal this week — the tape of Appalachian State's historic 34-32 upset over Michigan in 2007. If any of Cal's players think an FCS team (formerly Division I-AA) can't beat an FBS team (formerly Division I-A), the sight of the Mountaineers celebrating in front of 110,000 fans at the Big House should have an impact. The Bears face a potential letdown Saturday when they host Eastern Washington, the 18th-ranked team in the FCS. Cal moved up to No. 10 in the FBS national polls Tuesday and is coming off an impressive 52-13 rout of Maryland in its season opener.
"We definitely talk about it," Tedford said. "Our preparation has to be a lot about us and not so much who we play. We respect all of our opponents, so this is mainly about us. I think we're mature enough, and we've been down this road before and there's enough examples out there of when you're not ready to play, what can happen." Eastern Washington has played in big venues before. The Eagles played at Texas and Colorado last year and lost only 31-24 to the Buffaloes. Over the past four seasons, the Eagles also have played at West Virginia, Oregon State and BYU.
"I'm confident that our veterans aren't necessarily going to be in awe by the situation, which is sometimes what you worry about," Eastern Washington coach Beau Baldwin said. "We've played in a lot of big stadiums against nationally ranked FBS teams, so I don't think nerves will be an issue. Last year we went into games with the approach that we're going to win these ballgames. We'll take that approach even though I know we're underdogs."
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