Adams: Kiffin just looking out for No. 1

Tennessee might be a long way from the top of college football. But it knows what the neighborhood looks like.

A month ago, it played No. 1-ranked Florida. This Saturday, it plays No. 1-ranked Alabama.

How lucky can one first-year college coach get?

The disadvantage of playing a No. 1-ranked team is obvious. You can get manhandled, as UT was against No. 1-ranked Florida in 1994 and No. 1-ranked Miami in 2002.

But there's also an advantage, as evidenced by UT's 23-13 loss to Florida last month.

Until that game, much of the national media regarded Lane Kiffin as a far better quote than coach. Although Kiffin couldn't scheme up an upset, he managed a limited offense effectively against a superior Florida defense.

His defensive coordinator, Monte Kiffin, didn't do badly, either. In the last 27 games, Florida has scored fewer points only once.

UT's coaching effort in that game got the attention of recruits as well as fans. Suddenly, Lane Kiffin was more than a good quote.

It's not enough to convince recruits UT can offer immediate playing time. You have to send a couple of other messages as well: "We will win, and we will make you better."

The Vols got that message across by their competitiveness against Florida and again in their 45-19 victory over Georgia. So far, Kiffin's record might be 1-1 in rivalry games, but he's 2-for-2 in leaving favorable impressions.

That's no small accomplishment, particularly against Florida, where coach Urban Meyer has a history of dispatching his biggest rivals with little mercy.

In four-plus seasons with the Gators, Meyer is 12-1 against UT, Georgia and Florida State. Six of those victories were by 24 or more points.

Alabama coach Nick Saban also has a history of distinguishing his program from that of his rivals, against whom he competes in recruiting as well as on the field.

In Saban's first season, which was an obvious rebuilding year, he lost close games to Auburn and LSU, which won the national title. But he made a statement against UT, which ended up playing for the SEC championship. If Saban's modestly talented team could beat UT 41-17, what would he do with four full years of recruiting?

Last year provided another clue. The Tide beat LSU in overtime and outscored UT and Auburn 65-9 combined.

Saban and Meyer - along with Southern California's Pete Carroll - generally are regarded as college football's best coaches. So the prevailing national sentiment was that UT vs. Florida would not be just a talent mismatch, but also a mismatch of coaches.

Kiffin held his own against Meyer. He will gain more credibility if he can do the same against Saban. And he can accomplish that even if UT doesn't win the game.

That's the advantage in playing the nation's No. 1 team.

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