BURBANK, Calif. — Maybe it’s the laid-back atmosphere of West Coast football, but the past few days have gotten me thinking about the hilarity of early-season hyperbole.

Yes, Saturday’s results will ultimately matter in this season’s big picture. Alabama’s upset victory over No. 9 Clemson was huge, and Mississippi State’s loss at Louisiana Tech was quite embarrassing.

But parity seems here to stay in college football, and one early game doesn’t matter as much as it might have a few years ago.

When Tennessee limped off the field at California last season, I thought the Volunteers had no chance to win the Southeastern Conference — and they hadn’t even played an SEC game. Then the Vols were destroyed at Florida and Alabama, and virtually no one thought they could win the league.

But they almost did.

UT rallied to win the SEC Eastern Division title, and the Vols were 10 minutes from beating LSU in the conference championship game.

So, does the Vols’ game at UCLA mean much? Of course it does. It’s a chance to make a big first impression on the most impressionable and influential of college football networks — the ABC, ESPN family. It’s a chance to get in the nonstop conversation swelling around SEC peers Georgia, Florida, LSU, Auburn and, at least for now, Alabama.

UT should win tomorrow. UCLA’s offensive line is scaring the daylights out of Bruins’ coaches and fans, and for good reason. The Vols can probably withstand a few mistakes and still leave The Rose Bowl with a win, but stranger things have happened.

However, no result tomorrow ensures the ultimate success or failure of these Vols.

Modern media deserve as much blame as anyone, and I was stunned by the hours of hyperbole I heard while flipping through some games in various parts of Southern California (I’m usually parked in front of the Vols on Saturdays). Players were called “Heisman contenders.” Teams were called “national championship contenders.” Certain teams and players were called “overrated” or “disappointing,” and those words were said with such confidence like they were read from an encyclopedia.

I’ve got a little secret for everyone: You don’t know what will happen this fall. Don’t sweat it. I don’t know, either. Many people will tell you they know, and they don’t.

I’m as anxious as anyone to see what will happen this season. Is Alabama that good? Are Mississippi State and Arkansas that bad? Has Georgia suffered one too many injuries? How is Florida’s Percy Harvin’s foot? Can the Gators’ Tim Tebow keep himself healthy while plowing into defenses like a fullback every week?

As for Tennessee, will head coach Phillip Fulmer, offensive coordinator Dave Clawson and quarterback Jonathan Crompton be on the same page? Are tight end transfer Brandon Warren and the Vols’ highly-touted secondary worth all this hype? Does the front seven have enough depth, especially at defensive tackle? Can Chad Cunningham come through at punter?

Regardless of tomorrow’s outcome, people will form opinions on these topics. And they will pound on those points, ad nauseum, for days, weeks and months. That’s why “fan” stems from the word, “fanatic.” Now, my salary is paid in large part from fans who buy our newspaper, so I don’t want to sound like an ingrate. I just think that we — starting with us in the media — should guard against hyperbole.

It’s fun to speculate, but no one can say with one ounce of certainly how any team will finish this season — except that Ohio State will be blown out by an SEC team in the Jan. 8 national championship game. If I was a betting man (and I’m not), I might put a truck payment on that one.

One thing’s for sure, though. Everyone will think they know. And that’s what makes college football so much fun.

Read www.timesfreepress.com throughout the day and Monday’s print edition for more on the Vols.

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