UCLA-Tennessee: Five Reasons Why the OT Thriller Is an Instant Classic

A few points why—if you haven't already seen this game—you should make sure that you beg, borrow, steal, or "find" a copy of Monday's Tennessee vs. UCLA game from the Rose Bowl.

1) The turnaround of UCLA quarterback Kevin Craft

In the first half Craft threw for 66 yards and FOUR interceptions.  He was so terrible, I thought I was watching Anthony Morelli again...  But in the second half, Craft was brilliant.  It was as though Norm Chow fired a bullet into his butt, and the result was a 193-yard, one TD effort.

2) The efforts of both defenses

With Craft and Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton not exactly showing anything special until the end of the fourth quarter, you couldn't help but notice the play of both defenses.  You also got a pair of twins, Kyle and Korey Bosworth, who play linebacker and defensive end respectively.

But seriously, both defenses get a 5/5 for this effort—especially for not giving away a touchdown during a fraught overtime period.

3) Echoes of Miami-Florida State

UCLA's offense was useless for their part of the overtime, but they got a field goal.  Tennessee's choice to run the ball was equally terrible—and kicker Daniel Lincoln's kick was even worse.  Where's Wes Bynum when you need him?

4) A brilliant fourth quarter

Firstly, Tennessee took the lead with 1:54 left after Montario Hardesty's 20-yard run.  Everyone's beginning to think, "SEC again."  But Kevin Craft had other ideas, driving his Bruin team 70 yards for the score with 27 seconds left.

But it wasn't over.  Jonathan Crompton, as if waking from an orange slumber, got his act together and roped together a couple of excellent passes with the 'D' playing zone to take UT into field goal range.  Lincoln tied it—and the rest is history.

5) The UCLA cheerleaders

Rick Neuheisel may be telling anyone who will listen that the USC's reign in Los Angeles is over, and that's something that Mike Patrick argued wasn't true.  Having said that, I'd say this to the USC Song Girls: You've got competition.