Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer is all smiles as he talks to his wife before announcing a $1 million gift to the UT by the Fulmer family.

Last year, I wrote that the 2006 season opener with California was the most important game of the Phillip Fulmer Era. I stand by that.

Tennessee was coming off of a dismal 5-6 season. Fans were questioning the direction of the program. There were a number of other question marks as well (the return of offense coordinator David Cutcliffe, the appearance of new assistants, the salvation of Erik Ainge, to name a few.)

Last year’s 35-18 beat-down was like a strong cup of coffee in the morning. It cleared the cobwebs from the season before. Vol fans starting talking loud and walking proud again.

As the season wore on, Tennessee would eventually drop games to nationally ranked Florida, Arkansas and LSU. They would lose in disappointing fashion in their bowl game. But the season was still viewed by most as a success.

Now … imagine if Tennessee had lost to Cal. Would the feelings at the end of an 8-5 campaign had been so bright? Would a 1-2 start (with a one-point win over Air Force) had quieted upset fans in the early weeks of 2006?

We all know the answer to that. Last year’s game against Cal was of major importance. This year’s? Not as much.

“How important is today’s game from a fan perspective?”

It’s not as important as last year’s opener.

Tennessee’s program is in a different place than it was last year. The 2006 team won nine games and went to a bowl. That’s a far cry from the sour taste of 5-6. So fans aren’t as likely to revolt if UT loses tonight.

This game is also on the road, not at home, where the Vols have had some struggles in recent years. A road loss, while not fun, is a lot more palatable to fans and big boosters than a loss right in front of their expensive seats and luxury boxes.

Also, there aren’t as many question marks this year. After seeing the work Cutcliffe and staff did last year, there’s now an idea of what Vol fans will get in 2007. Last year, that wasn’t the case. No one knew for sure what to expect.

Bottom line, to the local fans, a loss to Cal would be easily eclipsed by a win over Florida just a few weeks later. This year’s opener just isn’t as important as last year’s opener.

“How important is today’s game from a national media perspective?”

OK, there’s a caveat. This year’s opener is extremely important in terms of national respect and perception.

Tennessee fans often bemoan the fact that their team gets no respect. According to an ESPN.com survey of the last decade’s pre-season and post-season polls, that’s not the case.

Tennessee, since 1997, has been the second most overrated team in the country, dropping more slots from the start of the season to the end of the season than any school other than Florida State.

That makes national prognosticators look bad. And that makes them more likely to take a “believe it when I see it” attitude with the Vols. They’ll be a lot slower to buy into Tennessee than the Big Orange faithful will be, that’s for sure.

Tennessee is 14-10 in their last 24 games. One national publication has listed Fulmer as one of four coaches in America on the hot seat, claiming that he must get the Vols back in the national title hunt.

A win over much-hyped Cal, on the road, on national television, in prime time, can put the Vols right back into that mix. Even if it is ridiculously early in the season.

A win tonight would go along way toward reestablishing Tennessee as a perennial Big Boy with the folks who set the agenda (ESPN, FoxSports, Sports Illustrated, etc).

“What does Tennessee need to do to win tonight’s game?”

This is simple. This is easy. Tennessee must outrush California.

Last year, the biggest holes in UT’s attack were their own ability to run the ball and their inability to stop opponents from running on them.

Tennessee was pushed around when it came to the ground attack. On both sides of the ball.

Outrushing Cal will accomplish five things for Tennessee:

1. With a rebuilt wide receiver corps featuring new faces (and a few old faces getting new looks), the Vol passing attack probably won’t be able to carry the Vols as was the case last year. Running the ball tonight will take pressure off the new wideouts, Erik Ainge’s pinky and the passing game.

2. If Tennessee outrushes Cal, it will show that Tennessee has shored up its rush D from last year. The Vols need to shut down the diminutive, but effective, Justin Forsett to prove that last year’s troubles were an aberration.

3. While we’re talking about sending messages, outgaining the Golden Bears on the ground will also let future opponents know that Tennessee is back to playing Fulmer-style football. “Line it up, knock ‘em out of the way, run it over the top of ‘em.”

4. It would also help serve as a reminder to Cal’s players that last year’s game was a mismatch. No doubt, coach Jeff Tedford has been pointing to this game all off-season. But a punch in the mouth or two, via bruising runs, should help to create a little self-doubt in the Pac-10.

5. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, if this game is close late and Tennessee has used the no-huddle offense as much as most think they will, the Vols can’t afford to have a gassed defensive line. Running the ball on offense, setting the tempo and controlling the clock can help protect the thin ranks on the Vols’ line.

John Pennington hosts the Halls Salvage Sports Source on Sunday at 11 a.m. on WATE.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.