Bruins lost one of their starting CBs, Hester, who was supposed to be a shut-down kind of guy.
Kiffin and OC Orgeron know--and hate--UCLA (see comments Orgeron made Sunday morning on Kiffin's TV show) and Kiffin has a well known dislike for Norm Chow, UCLA's OC. Last year UCLA ranked 116th out of 119 Div I teams in total offense. Their strength is supposed to be their Defense which suffered a major blow with the loss of Hester. I already took Tenn -10 and encourage others to do the same.
Kiffin and OC Orgeron know--and hate--UCLA (see comments Orgeron made Sunday morning on Kiffin's TV show) and Kiffin has a well known dislike for Norm Chow, UCLA's OC. Last year UCLA ranked 116th out of 119 Div I teams in total offense. Their strength is supposed to be their Defense which suffered a major blow with the loss of Hester. I already took Tenn -10 and encourage others to do the same.
No one wants UCLA to win this game more than me, but there are some concerns. One of the starting corners for UCLA broke his leg in game vs. San Diego St., so he is out for awhile. Also, offensive line is fair and doesn't have much if any depth. New QB Prince looked fearless in the pocket vs. San Diego St., but I worry his line may let him down. UCLA looked great after the first quarter last week, but don't forget what happened in BYU last year after they shocked the world and beat Tenn.
Last week the UCLA O-Line gave up 12 TFL and 3 sacks, against San Diego State that starts a true freshman. Also, the replacement for Aaron Hester, who is a very good CB, is a 160 lbs. 5'8" midget, Courtney Viney.
Mark it down...Tenn will win this game in a blowout. This is perfect revenge spot for a team which hasn't forgotten last years game...as well as a perfect statement game for new coach Kiffin. This is not last year's Tenn team, not by a long shot. Crompton will finally play with some confidence and the team with better coaches/players will dominate this game. Average at best PAC 10 team coming into an SEC team's house and competing? Give me a break.
Interesting read on this game's analysis by Phil Steele from this week's PS:
TENNESSEE 24 Ucla 17 [FONT=Helvetica-Narrow,Helvetica-Narrow][FONT=Helvetica-Narrow,Helvetica-Narrow]- Despite 4 UCLA int and a 188-85 yd 1H edge LY in Pasadena, UT only led 14-7 and eventually lost to the Bruins in OT creating a downward spiral for the Vols in a unfamiliar losing ssn (5-7 record). UT is 8-3-1 ATS as a HF and are also off a dominating performance vs WKU as QB Crompton threw 5 TD’s (1 more than all of LY). UCLA is 14-8 ATS in non-conf AG’s and despite trailing early 14-3, scored 30 unanswered in the debut of rFr QB Prince (176 yds, 62%, 3 TO’s). UCLA does have a large edge on ST’s (#6-65) and is the stronger overall team but the situation favors the Vols (UCLA not used to humidity, Tenn destroyed #9 Cal in ‘06) and are playing with legitimate revenge giving them the nod in this one. [/FONT]
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He predicts a Vol SU win but not an ATS cover. :think2:
TENNESSEE 24 Ucla 17 [FONT=Helvetica-Narrow,Helvetica-Narrow][FONT=Helvetica-Narrow,Helvetica-Narrow]- Despite 4 UCLA int and a 188-85 yd 1H edge LY in Pasadena, UT only led 14-7 and eventually lost to the Bruins in OT creating a downward spiral for the Vols in a unfamiliar losing ssn (5-7 record). UT is 8-3-1 ATS as a HF and are also off a dominating performance vs WKU as QB Crompton threw 5 TD’s (1 more than all of LY). UCLA is 14-8 ATS in non-conf AG’s and despite trailing early 14-3, scored 30 unanswered in the debut of rFr QB Prince (176 yds, 62%, 3 TO’s). UCLA does have a large edge on ST’s (#6-65) and is the stronger overall team but the situation favors the Vols (UCLA not used to humidity, Tenn destroyed #9 Cal in ‘06) and are playing with legitimate revenge giving them the nod in this one. [/FONT]
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He predicts a Vol SU win but not an ATS cover. :think2:
I like Tennessee a lot in this spot. Thought they would be good anything under 14. I think Tennessee has better talent, and the team is motivated again. They didn't lose to Wyoming because they couldn't compete with their athletes, their hearts weren't in it. Kiffin has rebuilt the fire and the passion. They need to play well in this game to have any kind of confidence going into the Swamp the following week. What's more is that teams traveling across the country are already up against it. The kids from Cali are going to freak out when they see 100,000 strong banjos and all on Saturday.
-ETC
-ETC
Who said that? I didn't say that. My opinion, however, is that USC will win and cover because of the offensive line and defense. UCLA's fortunes are much more closely tied to the play of the QB, which I expect to be diminished by the pressures of a road game in SEC country (where the PAC-10 is 3-16 SU in the last 19).
