Battle By The Bay (Saturday)

So you want something to feel good about after getting whacked by Cal? Consider this. The Bears lost their season opener last year (in Knoxville) and still won 10 games. The Vols could do it, but not with the defense on display in Berkeley.

Granted, Cal is good. No wait, they're better than that. Not great-- but close. Justin Forsett rushed for 156 yards. The Vols may have held him under, uh, 125 had they made a few more tackles. DeSean Jackson is a legit Heisman candidate. The move he made to step back on Tennessee defenders midway through his 77 yard punt return-- was classic. As the Vols found out, he's elusive and dangerously fast.

All is not lost. Last year, Cal lost their season opener in Knoxville-- but recovered and has a very good season. The Vols have a chance to repeat that history-- but they've got to fix a few things on defense to make it happen. Defensive coordinator John Chavis has a knack for finding a fix. He will be tested to make it happen again.

The glamour of televison exposed: We've been up since 8am, Pacific Time. It's now 3:30am, Sunday. We fly home at 6am. Somewhere over the Rockies, I expect to be asleep. The thought of returning to East Tennessee is refreshing. It's been a productive week, but it's time to go home.