TAMPA, Fla. -- After spending about 30 minutes fielding questions from members of the media Friday morning, Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli finally cracked a smile.

The junior looked much more at ease signing autographs for a few fans in the lobby of the Tampa Convention Center than he did in front of television cameras and tape recorders.

Nittany Lions linebacker Dan Connor took turns answering questions about whether or not he'd return for his senior season.

During a luncheon later in the day, Penn State coach Joe Paterno even made reference to the Nittany Lions' rebound from a 4-7 season just two years ago.

The similarities were hard to ignore between Penn State (8-4) and No. 17 Tennessee (9-3), which meet here in the Outback Bowl at 11 a.m. Monday (TV: ESPN).

The most obvious comparison comes at quarterback.

In his first year as Penn State's starter, Morelli is experiencing a year like Tennessee's Erik Ainge did in 2005.

Morelli, far from the fan favorite Ainge has become, has struggled at times to adjust to the life of a quarterback at a big-time Division I program.

"Anytime you're out of your apartment, going to school or practice or class, you're under a microscope," he said. "People are watching you. You have to be careful with what you do."

Even off the field, Morelli has slipped up.

Just last week, he was publicly critical in response to comments made about him by his high school coach.

In turn, he was publicly criticized by fans and media alike.

Ainge knows a little bit about those pressures, too.

After enduring a 5-6 season in which he bounced from starter to back up, Ainge has thrived.

And the magic salve has a lot to do with the final score.

"Obviously, when you're taking heat in the media, that's tough," Ainge said. "Winning is the cure-all. Whether you're throwing for 100 yards, 200 yards or 400 yards a game, as long as you're winning, that's all that matters."

Before each of UT's 12 games this season, Ainge took a sneak peak at the opposing quarterback on film.

The bowl game is no exception, and he sees a good one in Morelli.

"I always watch a little bit of the other guys we're playing, just for fun," he said. "The kid can play football. He's got a good arm, he's a good quarterback, and this is his first year starting. Even though he's a junior, it's still like his first year."

Next year has been a hot topic with two of the team's stars all week.

UT All-American receiver Robert Meachem has fielded questions about his future in the NFL.

On Friday it was Connor, an All-Big Ten linebacker and Bednarik Award finalist, who got similar treatment.

"People give their input," he said. "They're not real shy about it. It's not a pain, and it's not fun. It's right in between."

That's kind of where the Vols and Nittany Lions are, as well.

Penn State is two years removed from a losing season that had many calling for Paterno to retire.

Last year, the Nittany Lions went 11-1, capped by a 26-23 triple overtime victory over Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

The Vols have a chance to finish with 10 wins a year after missing out on a bowl game with a 5-6 record.

That's what senior defensive tackle Turk McBride hopes to do.

"We always had that in our minds, to leave the program where we found it," he said. "I came in with a 10-win season, and I want to leave with a 10-win season. That'll be a great thing if we can do that."

Doing that would make the Vols look a lot more like themselves, too.