Bears guard against hibernating

California coach Jeff Tedford got creative this week, trying to convince his 10th-ranked Golden Bears they’re preparing for a bowl game — not in late December or January, but now.

Tedford suddenly has three weeks to get Cal ready for its Pacific-10 Conference opener Oct. 2 at Oregon State.

The Bears’ nationally televised game at Southern Mississippi scheduled for tonight was postponed until later this season because of Hurricane Ivan. The game will likely be made up in early December.

“The way we need to look at it is like preparing for a bowl game,” Tedford said. “Of course our guys were prepared to play and eager to play. We have some experience and some real nice leadership on the team. If you look at it as it was a bowl game preparation it would be very similar.”

Tedford said Cal tried to work out ways to play this week — perhaps Saturday — but couldn’t find hotels, buses or charter flights. Tedford even sought the opinion of a hurricane expert on campus who advised the third-year coach against making the trip.

Tedford believes the Bears have enough leadership that a three-week stretch before their next game won’t interfere with the team’s momentum.