2008 Non Confernce Preview for 2008

Here we go again as we approach the 08 season and I thought this would be a good time to look at the non conference opponents at this time for the upcoming season. The schedule is again loaded with traditional rivals, and also a inter sectional rivalry (UCLA) along the way. As usual, Tennessee will play a challenging schedule that will make 2008 very exciting to the Vol fan. Here is the way I see the non conference games on the schedule for this year.

UCLA: September 1 at UCLA. UCLA is in transition with a new coach and offensive coordinator in Norm Chow and they only return a limited amount of starters on both sides of the ball and they have no proven QB. Look for a Vol win ! Tennessee has too much for the Bruins.

Alabama Birmingham (UAB): September 13th. UAB is just not that good at all even though they will return a majority of their players from last year. This is a program a few years away from making any noise in the NCAA. Take the Vols to win big!

Northern Illinois: Forget about an upset in this one. Northern Illinois is not the same team they were a a few years ago and I think Tennessee wins this game handily. Should be a good tuneup game for Georgia.

Wyoming: The Cowboys should be improved this year as they return 17 starters on both sides of the ball, but they still do not have the athletes to compete with the Vols.

Overall, Tennessee will face a tough schedule in 08, but the non conference schedule is very manageable and I think Tennessee will go undefeated throughout the non conference tilt. You never know when you schedule these games in advance? Remember the 1979 Rutgers game?
A sure win is never a sure win, just ask Michigan about Appalachian State from last year.