Hello fellow Pac10ites. Or is it Pac10ians? PacToneians? I digress.

A friend and I were discussing the upcoming college football season the other day, and we ended up on a topic that we were both stumped on, and I was hoping that you Golden Bears could offer your insight:

Why doesn't Jeff Tedford receive more heat from the fans and higher ups for supposed mediocrity? And what has to happen for there to be pressure on him?

Now, before you think I am coming in here and bad mouthing Jeff Tedford, I want to clarify myself. I think Jeff Tedford is an excellent coach. The numbers support him. Taking a team that in the previous year went 1-10 to 7-5 is an outsanding job, by any measure. To take a team that went 1-10 to 10-2 in three years is incredible. He has produced NFL talent by the numbers, and to just name a few that pop into my head, include Marshawn Lynch, JJ Arrington, Aaron Rodgers, Kyle Boller, Alex Mack, Justin Forsett, DeSean Jackson, and most certainly in the future Syd'Quan Thompson and Jahvid Best.

However, given all this talent, since that 2004 season Tedford has only managed to finish in the top 3 in the Pac10 just once, in 2006, with a share of the conference title. Then its been two 4th place finishes and a 7th place finish.

For say, Oregon State, Washington State, and Arizona, this succes under Tedford would be (and should be) commended. But for UC Berkeley, a school thats renowned academically, has a spot on location, and good facilities, 8-9 wins shouldn't be the standard.

Now, I could be way out of line. I'm sure many will point to the injuries in 2007 as the demise. I'm sure some will also point to the lack of presence that Cal had in football prior to Tedford's arrival during the Holmoe years. And maybe some will say that this year, given what the team has, should be a good measuring stick. A Heisman-esque talent in Jahvid Best, an experienced, talented (yet unproven) QB in Kevin Riley, and of course Syd'God Thompson.

I would like your thoughts on Jeff Tedford, and what your expectations of Cal football is. Sure, everyone wants to be National Champions year in and year out. But as an Oregon State fan, I know that's not going to be the case. While I'm not happy with 8-9 wins a year, it certainly beats the alternative. But I feel that for a school like Cal, 10+ wins should be the norm, and I'm curious as to your take on this.