Published: August 29, 2008 10:31 am      

ROCKY TOP BEAT: It's that time again

The wait is over; now it is lights, camera and action Monday night before a national television audience and a hostile crowd in the Rose Bowl. Remove the green no contact jersey from Jonathan Crompton and turn him loose on the Bruins' defense. Yes, sports fans, "it is football time in Tennessee" 2008, and not a moment too soon.

Gone are the dog days of two-a-day practices and watching meaningless pro football exhibition games to get our football fix. Now it is time for the real season to begin and it looks like Tennessee is heading west with a team that is ready to compete — unlike last year when they left their intensity at home for their opening game. 

The Vols were better than a touchdown favorite this week, but don’t expect this to be a cake walk. History and UCLA’s record at the Rose Bowl should give even the most optimistic Vol cause to pause.

The Bruins have won 16 of their last 19 games played in the Rose Bowl and have an impressive 24-7 home record over the past five seasons. So expect a hard fought game that could be closer than the experts predict. The good news is that the Vols own a 7-4-2 record against UCLA. The bad news is the Bruins have won three of the last five played on the west coast, the last coming in 1994 when the Todd Helton led #13 ranked Volunteers went down in a close one, 25-23. But that was then and this is now. 

The Vols still have a bad taste in their mouth from last year’s trip to California when they laid the proverbial egg and went down 45-31 in a game that did not seem nearly as close as the final score indicates. A break down of special teams and team defense doomed the Vols that night and to a man they have vowed to atone for that bad start a year ago.

Given the troubles that the Bruins have had keeping their quarterback healthy leading into this opening game, expect the secondary to have its way if the Bruins are forced to throw. The key on defense will be stopping the Bruins running game and making quarterback Kevin Craft move the team through the air. Do that and it could be a long night for the Bruins given Craft's history of throwing to the wrong colored jerseys. 

The Vols should have things go there way if they stay patient on offense and take care of the football. Jonathan Crompton has plenty of weapons at his disposal on offense with depth at both tailback and wide receiver that should wear down the Bruin defense as the game progresses. Special teams can’t afford to have the breakdown they had last year in the opener. Look for a significant improvement this year. As the sun sets behind the San Gabriel Mountains, the Vols should find the California evening to their liking and start the season out on the right note. 

In the end, it should be the speed and size of the Vols that will prove to be too much for first year coach Rick Neuheisel’s Bruins. Look for UCLA to stay with the Vols early but fade down the stretch. Neuheisel will have this team pumped to start the game and his 66-30 coaching record compiled at Colorado and Washington attests to his abilities as a head coach. Remember, the cupboard was not left empty by the previous head coach and the Bruin defense has continuity with DeWayne Walker remaining as the team's defensive coordinator from last season.

One game note for Vol fans, tailback Arian Foster will be wearing #30 instead of his familiar #27 for this game. Foster will be wearing David Holbert’s jersey number to honor his fellow senior teammate who had season ending surgery on his left knee back in July. Speaking of Foster, he looks to be bigger and faster this season; expect him to be the all time leading career rushing leader, surpassing the great Travis Henry, by the end of the season. 

Don’t forget that today is the fourth annual College Color Day and all fans are encouraged to wear their favorite team colors today. So come on Crossville, I expect to see a lot of orange out there today. I suspect that Jim Butler and his Vandy clan will be wearing their colors proudly today too as we all celebrate the traditions and spirit that make collegiate athletics great.

So Vol fans, put on your best orange good luck gear, gather all your family and friends around the television and tune it to ESPN Monday night.

Mike Patrick and Todd Blackledge will be your hosts as the Vols kick off the 2008 season. Better yet, turn down the TV sound and turn your radio to the Vol Network and listen to the call of the game by the familiar voice of Bob Kesling. If all goes well, everyone should be singing "Rocky Top" by the end of the night and counting the days until the home opener against UAB which will follow after a week off. Go Vols!

(Frank Gale is a Chronicle correspondent and his column appears weekly.)