Adams: UT coaches agree LSU will end up with title

TAMPA, Fla. - Tennessee players and coaches spend three months butting heads and helmets with SEC rivals. But most of them turn into cheerleaders when their rivals venture into post-season play.

After all, they've got a stake in every SEC game. When their conference looks good, so do they.

So it's not surprising that every Tennessee player I spoke with on Thursday and Friday said they would pull for other SEC teams in bowl games. And every one of them picked LSU to beat Ohio State in the national championship game on Jan. 7.

The coaches also favor LSU, though not with the same conviction they had for last year's national championship game.

As UT coaches prepare their team for Wisconsin in Tuesday's Outback Bowl, they've gained an appreciation for Ohio State, LSU's opponent in the national championship game. The Buckeyes scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat Wisconsin 38-17 in November.

The Vols got to know LSU on a firsthand basis a few weeks ago when they lost to the Tigers in the final minutes of the SEC championship game.

It's a familiar scenario.

In 2006, UT lost a lead and a game in the final minutes to Florida in September. Months later, as the Vols schemed and practiced for Penn State of the Big Ten, they also saw videotape on Ohio State, Florida's opponent in the national championship game.

Never mind that unbeaten Ohio State was a touchdown favorite against Florida. UT's coaches saw the game quite differently.

"I was talking to all the NFL scouts that came through and said how many guys (from Florida) would be drafted," UT wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor said.

"It's tough to beat a semi-pro team like that," he added with a laugh.

UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe had the same impression.

"Absolutely," he said. "Florida was really good."

Although the Gators barely beat a number of SEC teams, that said more about the competition, according to Cutcliffe.

"Look at the number of players who went into the NFL from all those (SEC) teams," he said. "Florida had a tough road to get there."

The road suddenly turned smooth in the national championship game. The Gators held Ohio State to 82 yards in a 41-14 rout.

Florida had a couple of obvious advantages against Ohio State. The Buckeyes didn't match up well against Florida's wide receivers, and Ohio State's offensive line couldn't handle the speed of Florida's front-line pass rush.

"I felt like (Ohio State) would be overwhelmed by (Florida's) skill people," UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said.

The advantages aren't as apparent in the upcoming national championship match-up.

Cutcliffe points out the inconsistency of an LSU offense that has run hot and cold this season. And Taylor cites the consistency of an Ohio State defense.

"They don't make mistakes," Taylor said. "Kind of like Penn State did last year. The defensive ends don't bite on reverses, things like that."

Although the strength of LSU's defense is its front seven, Cutcliffe believes Ohio State will have some success running the ball.

"Ohio State can run at them," he said. "They're good (in the offensive line). They don't care if you've got eight up front, they're still gonna run the football.

"I'm more impressed with their backs than I thought I would be. Now, (LSU linebacker) Ali Highsmith and some of those guys might not be as impressed. They're pretty good, too.

"I think Ohio State has got the ability to run the football. Whether they can throw it or not, that's the question."

As for the bigger question, Cutcliffe said, "I'd pick LSU because they have some phenomenal athletes who will make plays in a close game."

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.