Tennessee Vols 2008: Could the Vols Repeat the Magic of '98?

To your average college football fan, a prediction that the Tennessee Volunteers will win the 2008 Bowl Championship Series title may sound like a bit of a stretch, or even downright crazy. To the “Vol” faithful, on the other hand, those lofty goals and expectations are present year in and year out.

But whether you are a totally objective observer of college football, or a fan up on Rocky Top looking at the world through orange-tinted glasses, you would be kidding yourself if you failed to recognize the striking preseason similarities between the 1998 and 2008 Volunteer squads—similarities that have some Vol fans envisioning one heck of a 10th anniversary party on Cumberland Avenue.

Just as in 1998, this year's edition of Volunteer football isn’t predicted to win the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division, but many prognosticators have the Vols slated as the third best team in the division. And, to that end, no one could argue with those predictions, especially considering how strongly Georgia finished last season and the fact that the mighty Gators return a certain defending Heisman Trophy winner and a defense that should be much improved.

From a national standpoint, the 1998 Vols were ranked tenth or lower in most preseason polls. Similarly, the 2008 Vols have not cracked the top ten in the preseason rankings, as they are ranked 18th in both the Associated Press and Coaches' Polls.

Another noticeable similarity is the traditionally tough schedule. Just as you can count on death and taxes, so to can you count on Phillip Fulmer to play a rigorous schedule. Granted, being a part of the SEC, and particularly a part of the SEC East, the Vols' schedule routinely ranks as one of the most challenging slates in America. However, the Vols also consistently play at least one established non-conference opponent per year.

During the Fulmer era, the Vols have played the likes of Notre Dame, Miami and California to name a few. And this year, just as in 1998, the Vols open the season on the road against a solid non-conference opponent. Vol fans will remember the last second, season opening Jeff Hall field goal that knocked off the Donovan McNabb led Syracuse Orangemen (now, simply the Orange). This year the Vols will travel to the West Coast to take on the UCLA Bruins, who will be led by new head coach Rick Neuheisal and offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

In 1998, the Volunteers were coming off of a trip to Atlanta where they brought home the SEC Championship in 1997. The 2008 Vols are not defending SEC champs, but they do return major contributors from a team that that surprisingly took home the SEC East title, played in Atlanta, and nearly knocked off the eventual BCS champion LSU Tigers.

Both the 1998 and 2008 teams lost key performers from the previous season. In 1998, the Vols lost defensive star and co-captain Leonard Little. This year's squad will also face a tough challenge replacing star linebacker Jerod Mayo, who, like Little, brought great explosiveness and leadership to the defensive side of the football.

While the loss of Little was huge in 1998, the most notable loss was the graduation of Tennessee legend Peyton Manning. Many fans thought the Vols had missed their chances of a national title after losing Manning to the pros.Tee Martin, a highly-touted high school recruit out of Alabama finally got his opportunity in 1998. He had waited patiently behind Manning for two years before he was handed the keys to the Big Orange offense. Likewise, Jonathan Cromptom will step in as an unproven and untested signal caller who will follow an established, successful QB who put up impressive statistics.

According to those close to the program, Crompton has exhibited great leadership and is well-liked by his teammates. In 1998, the Vols rallied around Martin. Martin turned a preseason question mark at the QB position into a strength. This current UT squad must do the same if they want to succeed. And, from the feelings around campus, that may very well be the case.

As tough as it is for Vol fans to face, the Gator roadblock again is readily apparent. Throughout the 1990s the Vols could not seem to get over the hump, i.e. Steve Spurrier's Gators. Since the arrival of upstart head coach Urban Meyer, the Vols have been unable to defeat the boys from Gainesville.

Thus, the proverbial hurdle once again must be cleared if the Vols want to reestablish themselves as a national power. It should be noted that the Vols have obviously not forgotten about the beatdown in Gainesville last season. This year, on September 20, the Vols will host the Gators in Knoxville and take their shot at payback—which, in turn, could catapult them into the SEC title picture.

In 1998, head coach Phillip Fulmer was looking to break through. This year, Fulmer has something else to prove—that he still has it. The similarities are obvious. The challenges and obstacles are huge. And, if the Vols want to return to national prominence, what better time than on the 10th anniversary of the perfect season in 1998.