Tennessee UCLA Line

Written by Jack Jones

The late game on Labor Day, Monday, September 1st will kick off at 8 PM EST when the Tennessee Vols head to California to take on the UCLA Bruins. This is the game that many pundits have been waiting for all weekend long as two big time programs square off in prime time.

Opening Lines:
Tennessee -7.5
UCLA +7.5
Total is set at: 46

Tennessee comes into this game ranked no. 18 in the nation with 15 starters returning. Even though the team had high hopes last year and they fell a little short of meeting those goals, with the returning talent this team should be a contender at year’s end. UCLA on the other hand started out their 2007 campaign hot, moving up to no. 11 in the polls after big wins over Stanford and BYU, but the team faded off quickly.

Erik Ainge has taken his game to the NFL, which leaves the signal calling duties in the hands of junior Jonathan Crompton. The good news is that he has a big time talent to throw to in Lucas Taylor, who last year pulled down 73 grabs for more than 1,000 yards and five scores. His no. 2 option is Austin Rogers, who doesn’t have a lot of experience but he is very talented and could have a breakout season in 2008. The real key to Fullmer’s offense though will be the ground game, with all five linemen returning and Adrian Foster, who should be the program’s all-time leading rusher by the time this season is completed. Even with the loss of Ainge we think that the Vols might be better than last year’s offense that put up 32.5 ppg and 401.5 ypg of total offense.

The defense struggled a little last year, but seven guys return and have renewed focus to get back on track. It all starts in the trenches, and the Vols have a star in Demonte’ Bolden. Robert Ayers also has a lot to prove at the end spot after only racking up four sacks a year ago. The linebackers are small, but quick which helps them get to the ball in a hurry. The secondary is solid with Eric Berry putting up an outstanding freshman campaign at safety and then there is Demetrice Morley to compliment him.

UCLA couldn’t get any kind of consistency going on offense last year and it’s going to be tough to turn things around with only four starters coming back. The worst part about it for UCLA is that there were supposed to have two quarterbacks vying for the top job in Ben Olson and Pat Cowan, but on consecutive plays in practice both of them were lost for signifcant time. Now the Bruins will turn the ball over to junior Kevin Craft, who does have a couple of talented receivers in Marcus Everett and Dominique Johnson to get the ball to. Running the problem though could be a problem since the offensive line is pretty much rebuilt and no true starter has emerged during preseason practice.

Defense played a huge role in what little success the Bruins were able to achieve last year, but with only five familiar faces it’s not likely that this team will produce like they did a year ago. The front line though will be talented with Brigham Harwell returning after missing all of last season due to injury. The other end will be Tom Blake, and they’ll be counted on to bring heat on the quarterback. At linebacker the team returns two above average starters in Kyle Bosworth and Reggie Carter, but the secondary will be a problem with only corner Alterraun Verner returning.

Predicted Score: Tennessee 27, UCLA 20

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