College Football | Bruins' opener against Tennessee will be win-win

LOS ANGELES — The way Rick Neuheisel sees it, starting off with a big-time opponent on national television is virtually a no-lose situation.

"To have that kind of exposure, people talking about UCLA football in anticipation of this game is terrific," UCLA's first-year coach said Monday of the season opener next Monday against No. 18 Tennessee. "We want to be a national recruiter. We want to have people across the United States to look at this game and say, 'That would be a cool place to play.' "

Asked if he thought the Bruins would gain from the exposure even if they lose, Neuheisel said obviously he would prefer that things go well for them, but they probably would benefit long-term even if they don't.

"I don't like to talk in those terms because I prefer to look at it as if it's going to go well," he said.

Notes

• USC QB Mark Sanchez went through his first full practice since dislocating his left kneecap 17 days earlier, and appears on track to start Saturday's season-opener at Virginia. "Oh, I think so, absolutely. Especially mentally," Sanchez said afterward, when asked if he believes he's ready to play. "I feel good about it. If it were up to me, I'm in."

• Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski will miss the season opener against Idaho on Saturday with strep throat, and possibly mononucleosis. Additional tests are scheduled.

• Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy will handle the offensive play-calling in the Cowboys' season opener Saturday against Washington State, taking over duties he'd relinquished after being promoted from offensive coordinator three years ago.

• Tennessee starters DB Brett Vinson and DT Donald Langley were suspended for the Vols' opener at UCLA for academic issue, coach Phillip Fulmer said.

• Florida may be without WR Percy Harvin (heel) and MLB Brandon Spikes (foot) for its Saturday opener against Hawaii.

• Texas A&M RB Jorvorskie Lane (neck) is questionable for Saturday's opener against Arkansas State.

• All signs point to Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch starting at quarterback in Louisiana State's season opener on Saturday against Appalachian State, but coach Les Miles is not ready to commit to that yet.

"Our quarterbacks — I have great confidence in all three of them, to be honest with you, and I can't tell you today who'll take the field first," Miles said Monday. "I can tell you I'll be comfortable with whoever that is."

Neither of LSU's other two quarterbacks, redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee and true freshman Jordan Jefferson, has taken a snap in a game.