Big Orange Report 8-25-08
By Warner Agee
1998
Has it been 10 years since Ford Motor Company bought out Volvo and Paula Jones accused Bill Clinton of sexual harassment? Ten years since Karla Faye Tucker became the first woman to be executed in the state of Texas since the Civil War and Charlton Heston was elected President of the National Rifle Association. That same year Titanic won the Oscar for best picture and Next had the No. 1 hit, Too Close.
In New York, accused killer of five, Gary C. Evans, escaped from police and jumped off a bridge, taking his own life. The Lewinsky scandal breaks out into the headlines and Clinton orders a missile strike against an alleged baby food factory in Kenya. Google, Inc. is founded in California and John Glenn, at age 77, flies into space in the shuttle Discovery.
In sports, Michael Jordan nets 23 points, pulls down six rebounds and dishes out eight assists to lead the East to an easy 135-114 win over the West in the NBA All-star game. Dale Earnhardt breaks through to win the Daytona 500 and the Tennessee football team claims both the Southeastern Conference title and the national crown with a win over Florida State in January of 1999.
Jordan has long since retired from the NBA, Earnhardt died on that same track three years later and the SEC and national championships that were claimed by UT have not been accomplished again since the year of 1998. By the way, Next never had another No. 1 hit either.
More on how crucial this season is for Tennessee next week, but now, you know it, Football time in Tennessee.
Key matchups
Norm Chow vs. Johnny Chavis-- On paper, this is a real mis-match. Chow was one of the premiere offensive coordinators in all of college football before he tried to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear with the Tennessee Titans. But Chow has lost his top two quarterbacks to injury and now must play this game with Kevin Craft (6-5, 208) under center. Craft is a junior college transfer who began his college career at pass happy San Diego State. Somebody get word to Chavis to bring the house against this guy and see if he can handle the heat in the kitchen.
Vol center and guards vs. Brian Price and Brigham Harwell-- UCLA's front seven on defense has held 13 opponents to less than 100 yards rushing over the past two seasons. These two 300-pound tackles are strong and can move their feet. Harwell has the look of a future professional player. Obviously, job one for the Bruins will be to stuff the Tennessee running game and make Jonathan Crompton try to beat them through the air. Jacques McClendon can probably beat both these guys in an arm-wrestling contest, but can he block them. Time will tell.
Vol linebackers vs. Bruin fullback and tailbacks-- In order to keep the pressure off Craft, Chow will call on shifty tailback Kahlil Bell and his backups to keep the Big Orange defense honest. Bell is reportedly recovered from knee surgery and ready to go. Scatback Ray Carter is also a dangerous runner UCLA. The fullback is advertised as one of the top blockers west of the Mississippi. This will be an early test for Rico McCoy and a pair of new starters, Ellix Wilson and Nevin McKenzie. They must fill the gaps quickly and prevent the Bruin ground game from establishing momentum.
Crompton vs. the Bruin secondary-- The front seven on the UCLA defense will play fast, they run to the ball and rely on speed rushing from the outside. Crompton had best be careful because of ball hawks such as Alterraun Verner, a 5-11, 185 pound pass thief. No more green jerseys in this one, the host team here intends to pull off a major upset. The pass rushing Bosworth brothers could cause some problems for Crompton.
Watch for this-- UCLA is searching for offensive tackles. They have recently moved a 260 pound tight end to tackle in order to provide depth. If Tennessee's defensive ends have pass rushing in their blood, they should be able to abuse these guys. One Bruin projected starter quit the team, another broke his hand and the guys who take the field will probably need physical assistance from tight ends.
Pressure point--Fulmer enters this game with one of the most experienced teams that he has fielded during his tenure as head coach. He best not diddle around with this bunch of powder blue clad upstarts. UCLA will be looking to stay close enough to win it on their home field in the fourth quarter.
Key stats-- Both team have outstanding field goal kickers and the three-pointers could be important in a close game. Penalty yardage is always a concern in the opener. With both teams starting new quarterbacks, that makes rushing yardage a very big item. Forced turnovers could swing the results. Chavis' defenses have not been very good in this area over the past few seasons.
Quote--- "We've had some injuries but we won't make any excuses for upcoming games. Remember, one man's misfortune is another man's opportunity."-- First year coach Rick Neuheisel of UCLA.
