R-E-S-P-E-C-T

The Tennessee 2008 football season is just right around the corner as the Vols prepare to take on UCLA September 1st in a primetime Labor Day game on ABC, but something seems to be a little different about this tilt between to inter-sectional rivalries that have produced some thrilling moments (Dewey Warren in the 1966 game scoring late to beat UCLA 37-34).

Have the Vols lost national respect? Many believe the program is on borrowed time with a tenured coach that has seen his best days. I however believe this is when Coach Fulmer and the Vols are at their best. Remember 1998? Tennessee was supposedly going to go in the tank without Manning, Little, etc.

All that team did was win a national title as though any Vol fan needs reminding! This year is about RESPECT. I am not saying get ready to get the national title hardware come early January but I do believe this team will surprise some fans and national pundits alike. Sure, Tennessee has not been the same program as far as success since 1998 but they have been far short of being mediocre.

The track record supports my argument. I know there has not been the SEC titles during that time but there have been four SEC east titles and three SEC championship games. The critics will point to the fact that during those appearances the Vols are winless (which is fair) but at least the program is getting there in the toughest division of college football in the country. That if far from mediocrity!

This year it is all about RESPECT and starting on September 1st the journey begins.