Montana @ Tennessee preview

THE STORY: Two teams seeking a bounceback year collide when Tennessee hosts Montana. The Vols, who won the first national championship under the BCS system, have not been ranked since the opening week of the 2008 season and have posted three losing records in the past six seasons. Montana, meanwhile, made five appearances in the FCS title game since 2000—including back-to-back trips in 2008 and 2009. But last season, the Grizzlies failed to make the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1982.

TV: ESPN Game Plan, pay-per-view or ESPN3.com. LINE: None.

ABOUT MONTANA (2010: 7-4, 5-3 Big Sky): The Grizzlies took a step back last year after four straight seasons with at least 11 wins, and a 31-1 conference record over that span. Second-year coach Robin Pfulgrad is expected to use a two-man platoon at quarterback, and there are questions at every other skill position but tight end. However, Montana boasts a deep defense headlined by CB Trumaine Johnson, an FCS All-American.

ABOUT TENNESSEE (2010: 6-7, 3-5 SEC): After having three head coaches in three years, Tennessee still fields one of the nation’s youngest teams. Freshmen and sophomores comprise roughly 70 percent of the roster. The Vols started nine true freshmen at some point last season, including incumbent QB Tyler Bray and three offensive linemen. Defensively, the Vols currently have just one healthy returning starter in the front seven. Tennessee also just dismissed DB Janzen Jackson, arguably the team’s best player.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Tennessee RB Tauren Poole topped 1,000 yards last season and matched Arkansas RB Knile Davis and Auburn’s Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton for the most 100-yard games in the SEC last season.

2. The crowd at Neyland Stadium, which boasts a seating capacity over 100,000, automatically will become the biggest to ever watch Montana’s team play.

3. After all the recent turmoil, Tennessee has the same head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator in consecutive seasons. That hasn’t happened for the Vols since the 2006 and ’07 campaigns.

PREDICTION: Tennessee 38, Montana 24 – Superior athleticism, size and numbers make the difference for the Vols, who have never lost to a FCS team.