September 13, 2008, 12:30 p.m. EST TV: Raycom Radio: Vol Network Internet Audio: CSTV Internet TV: ESPN360 XM Radio: 199 Phone Broadcast: TeamLine Live Stats: UTSports Game Day Information Game Day Schedule Knoxville Weather
NR (BlogPoll)		NR (BlogPoll)
Jackson the Mule says . . . UCLA? What's UCLA? I don't know what you mean by "UCLA."

STATS COMPARISON (for whatever it's worth this early in the season)

Tennessee rush v. UAB defense	Tennessee pass v. UAB defense	UAB rush v. Tennessee defense	UAB pass v. Tennessee defense
42	77	1	32
105	117	32	40

Field Goals	Tennessee punting v. UAB punt return	UAB punting v. Tennessee punt return	Intangibles
T-36	116	24
T-20	74	82

Here's how the teams look next to each other in each of the key statistical categories currently used in the RTT Ready, Fire, Aim BlogPoll Computer Ballot:

So it's looking like Tennessee's got the advantage most everywhere. Shoot, the Vols probably have the advantage in field goals, too, because Lincoln was called on to hit (and missed) two 50+ yarders against UCLA, so that really shouldn't be counted against him (of course there is that matter of the short one in OT he missed, but Jackson The Mule wishes to remind you that he has no idea what you're talking about). Ditto the punting, which would look much different if it weren't for that nasty blocked punt for a TD against UCLA, which Jackson doesn't remember, either, and thinks you're just making it up.

But . . . that impressive No. 1 rush defense for the Vols? Really, that's a lot like giving the Pope credit for keeping Mother Teresa from murdering homeless people: she wasn't likely to do it anyway.

We really should be able to score almost at will against the Blazers, but don't discredit their offense too much. QB Joe Webb is averaging almost 250 yards per game and another 100 rushing, and I have not heard Vol fans and media so confident about the outcome of a game since . . . well, since the week leading up to that game Jackson don't remember.

This is the 2008 home opener, and that of course calls for the surround sound synchy YouTubey Running Through The T Motivational Ploy:

hooper wins this week's Hail Mary Haiku (and gets a point for the RTT Pregame Guessing Game) with the following:

Consider this your pre-game comment thread. I'm off to Knoxville, and I'll be meeting hooper and perhaps some others there, so someone else is going to have to drive the game threads. The first of those will be up just before kickoff, and the second half thread will go live at 2:00. Y'all can switch when the second half begins or at 2:00, whichever is later.

Go Vols!