Last year, the Tennessee Volunteers opened the season at California with high hopes but got thumped by two touchdowns. The Vols return to the state to play UCLA in the season opener this year, and I expect the outcome to be different.
As I've written in other postings, I have a good feeling about the Vols this year. Most of the starters on last year's offense return, and new quarterback Jonathan Crompton has looked pretty good growing into his role. The defense appears much more settled compared to the start of last year.
UCLA's injuries at quarterback have been well documented, and the Vols are definitely catching a break in having to face the Bruins third-string quarterback. UCLA has a good defense that should keep them in the game, but the Vols will pull away in the second half.
Quite simply, the Vols are the better team. And it will show on Monday night.
The pick: Tennessee 28 UCLA 20
Other SEC picks: Clemson over Alabama, Louisville over Kentucky, Vanderbilt over Miami (Ohio), South Carolina over North Carolina State, Georgia over Georgia Southern, Florida over Hawaii, LSU over Appalachian State, Auburn over Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi State over Louisiana Tech, Arkansas over Western Illinois, Ole Miss over Memphis
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Kudos to Vanderbilt for starting the season with an impressive 34-13 road win at Miami (Ohio) tonight. Vandy still has a lot of holes to fill, but they looked great tonight. They didn't let the SEC down.
Today was a terrible day for the ACC. First, Virginia Tech blew a late lead and lost to East Carolina 27-22. Then, Clemson laid a huge egg in losing to Alabama 34-10. The league looks weak.
Kentucky added to the SEC's good start today by whipping Louisville 27-2. In a little over a year, Louisville's program has fallen off a cliff. Last year, they couldn't tackle, and today, they couldn't score points.
UCLA 27 Tennessee 24. A ghastly performance by the Vols. The offense has miles to go and special teams killed us. Give UCLA's coaching staff credit. They obviously made adjustments at halftime that worked, and the Vols were either unable or unwilling to react to their changes. Basically, we are exactly where we were at the start of last year except it is the offense that has the problems and not the defense.
"A ghastly performance by the Vols."
I've taken to listening to 560 AM on my way home in the afternoons. This afternoon, I heard no fewer than 8 callers saying that Phil Fulmer needs to be fired.
This could be a long year for Tennessee. And with each additional loss (more are coming, believe me), more "Fire Phil" calls and chants and opinions are gonna mount up.
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