Pregame Guesses: Tennessee Volunteers
by Achilles on Sep 11, 2009 10:38 AM PDT
in Football
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PrintThe Bruins football team has an interesting history with the Volunteers of Tennessee.
A history I don't plan on writing too much about in this post. At least nothing I have to research -- I'll just toss out a few things I remember.
The teams have actually played quite a few times, more than a dozen, and I'm guessing that's more times than UCLA has played any of the SEC teams. The two schools have something in common, too. Both athletic departments are defined by the accomplishments of their legendary, Hall of Fame basketball coaches. You can tell them apart because John Wooden never (to my knowledge, anyway) dressed up as a cheerleader.
Photo credit: Wade Payne/AP via si.com
The first Tennessee game I remember was one in which the Bruins won 26-26.
Huh?
I watched this game in a buddies Koreatown apartment.. We drank. A lot. Yet I remember the game. The Bruins fell behind 26-10. Terry Donahue replaced Matt Stevens with David Norrie in the fourth quarter. We scored two touchdowns, converted both two-point conversions and basically beat the Vol 26-26.
The next UCLA-Tennessee game I remember is the 97 game. Cade McNown and company lost to Tennessee who were led by some dude named Manning. Ended up a decent player in the pros, does a lot of commercials. UCLA fell to 0-2 that day in the Rose Bowl. The next week they went to Texas and won 66-3. The would win another 19 in a row before losing to Miami in December of '98.
Then there was last year. A great win that unfortunately did not lead to a great season.
What does all that mean? Nothing. I'm just vamping while I try and think of some guesses. Have them after the jump.
Did I mention I don't like Tennessee?
Okay, I don't like Tennessee.
I used to be okay with them in a "respect the opponent" sort of way. But in 2000 I went to Alabama to watch the Bruins beat the Tide and the 'Bama fans were really cool to the Bruin fans who went down there. And for two years there were a lot of Alabama fans on the Bruins boards (it was a home and home -- we beat them twice btw) and they were pretty cool, too. And because Alabama fans hate Tenneesse, I feel sort of obliged to not like Tennessee, too. The fact that their coaches have a nasty, USC connection just adds fuel to the fire.
Okay, now the guesses:
In light of the fact that I wrote about the 26-26 tie, the first question is:
Will the game end in a tie?
Sorry, that sucked. Let's try again:
1) One key to the game is whether or not UCLA will be able to run the ball against Monte Kiffin's "vaunted" cover-two defense. First question: How many yards will UCLA gain on the ground against Tennessee? (Correct answers are anything within 10 yards.)
2) Another key is how much pressure the Bruins will put on the Tennessee quarterback. How many sacks will UCLA record? (Need the exact number on this one.)
3) Finally, UCLA must win the turnover battle if they are to win the game. How many turnovers will UCLA force in the Tennessee game?
(Thanks again to hiicaliber for totaling the scores. We're still working the system out and in the coming weeks I think we'll see hiicaliber writing the guesses, too. Thanks man, we owe you one.)
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100, 2, 2
Sitting a lax waiting to get on a plane to Charlotte then to Knoxville. Cancelled our earlier flight so let’s there are some seats
by lil eg not cs on Sep 11, 2009 10:49 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
150, 2, 3
A bit optimistic I know. What I will always remember about Tennessee is they would have been our opponent in the NC game if we hadn’t lost to Miami. I have always felt we would have won that game. I have always felt like they possess our crystal ball all because a pesky hurricane that never was forced us to reschedule a game thus giving Miami a chance to spend the year improving under Butch Davis.
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
109, 2, 3
I wish I could be more optimistic with my numbers… Oh well, here’s hoping I’m wrong and it’s more like 200, 5, 5.
GO BRUINS.
95, 2, 3
We're marching on to victory to conquer all the rest ...
138, 3, 2
Run, or die trying.
Go Bruins.
by Westwood is the best wood on Sep 11, 2009 3:11 PM PDT reply actions
120, 0, 1
If Lame loses, will he cry on daddy’s shoulder?
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
75, 2, 1
For whatever I’m worth ;-)
I got punk'd by UT's Athletic Department.
by bobo_the_vol on Sep 11, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions
188, 5, 3
Bruins win – Lame takes the loss just like Petey would and will. : ) Oh, well, I can dream.
90, 4, 4
The UCLA defense is going to dominate this game. They will shut down the run and force the pass. (But so will Tenn…darn)
Bonus calls:
1. ATV and Moore will each have a defensive/special teams touchdown;
2. The majority of UCLA rushing yards will be from one spectacular breakout run;
3. The first drive of the game (either side) will put points on the board. But the next scoring drive (either side) won’t be until the 3rd quarter
4. The final score will be 21-24 (but who will win it?)
140, 2, 3
140 — Don’t be surprised if we pull a couple of reverses to loosen up the Tenn OL. Just no double-reverse flea-flicker crap like SDSU.
2 — I’m concerned at the sheer lack of QB pressure we showed last week. With a grits fed OL, we’re going to need to bring some varied blitzes and shifts to get any kind of edge on these guys. We may get Crompton to scramble a few times, but I expect them to try to use weight and Tennessee humidity to grind us down.
3 — This will be the key for us. If our DL and LBs can force them into 3rd and longs, our secondary — even without Hester — can use its speed and counterpunch the usual SEC speed advantages. They’ll test the hell out of Viney, but if he even bats 1 or 2 balls early, that can alter Kiffie’s plan. If Viney , Moore and ATV get at least a pick or two between them, then it’s anyone’s game.
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
95, 1, 2
Please be wrong, please be wrong, please be wrong…
140, 2, 3
Dangit, Meriones, you’re making me look like a copycat, haha. I won’t let that sway me from my convictions though : )
140, 2, 2
As one of the Bruins in Knoxville, I think we need at least 140 on the ground to win
by redwhiteandbruin on Sep 11, 2009 11:42 PM PDT reply actions
85, 1, 2
I’m worried we’ll get behind, and have to throw more. I’ll be very glad to be completely wrong.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
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