Tennessee Vols-UCLA Bruins: Revenge a Factor

A little over one year ago the Tennessee Vols began their 2008 campaign by traveling to Pasadena to play an undermanned, out-talented UCLA Bruins team.

With UCLA's top two QBs being injured in spring and fall practice, Vols fans and players were salivating over the fact that UCLA was going to start a third-string, freshman quarterback, Kevin Craft. Even with a genius coach like Rick Neuheisel, the SEC team would surely make mincemeat out of the Bruins in this Labor Day tilt.

The Vols defense set the tone early by intercepting four passes before halftime. Still the Vols led only 14-7 at the break. The Vols were getting their first taste of the offensive struggles that would plague them all season long.

The Bruins would go on to win the game in overtime.

Many fans, such as myself, were perplexed with the upset loss. After all, the Vols were ranked No. 18 and coming off of an SEC Championship game appearance. Still there was hope that this was a fluke—well at least until UCLA lost 59-0 the following week at BYU.

There were high hopes for quarterback Jonathan Crompton who had appeared in two games as a freshman and looked pretty good in the process. Here he was overthrowing, underthrowing, and looking completely clueless in game situations. Crompton went 19-for-41 with 189 yards that night, setting the tone for a rough season that ultimately got the dean of SEC coaches, Phil Fulmer, fired.

The UCLA game was the beginning of the end.

A year later, on the eve of the Bruins visit to Neyland Stadium, Tennessee has a new beginning. The Lane Kiffin era officially began last week with a 63-7 victory over the completely inferior Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

The Vols hope for a nice carryover to tomorrow's game as well.

I hate to keep pounding a dead horse, but the difference in this year's team and last is tangible. Fulmer's Vols had not had the level of dedication or preparation that Kiffin's Vols have seen.

Still, the memory of the disappointment at the Rose Bowl last year has given the Vols extra motivation. Beating the team that should have never even come close to defeating them last season would be sweet to say the least.

The Bruins have a new Kevin leading them at the quarterback position this year. Freshman Kevin Prince looked pretty good in UCLA's 33-14 win over San Diego State last weekend. He was 12-for-16 with 140 yards by the half against the Aztecs.

The inexperienced offensive line and lack of a UCLA running game could prove disastrous for the Bruins this time around. This Tennessee defense is stout and will be ready to make the Bruins pay all day long.

The Bruins defense leaves plenty to be desired as well. So Tennessee's revamped offensive attack should provide the Pride of the Southland Band many opportunities to play Rocky Top on Saturday.

Last season, the Vols allowed UCLA to slip away with a win; this year it will not be so easy.

My prediction: Tennessee 38-14.