Did Tennessee and UCLA football fans become best friends?

The possible and potential friendship between Tennessee Vols and UCLA Bruin football fans this season seems to have a lot to do with the transfer of former Tennessee quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, to UCLA.

As famously quoted in the movie Step Brothers. "Brennan: “Did we just become best friends?”
Dale: “Yep!”
Brennan: “Do you wanna do karate in the garage?”
Dale: “Yep!”

Here's a breakdown of how the situation of a quarterback unfolded and how it may have brought two fan bases together.

• Iamaleava's Transfer: Nico Iamaleava, a highly-touted recruit, was their starting quarterback last season and led the Vols to a CFP appearance, and most Tennessee fans were happy with his play. His decision to transfer to UCLA created a strong reaction among many around the country, albeit an initially complex situation that many did not understand at first. Among both fan bases, feelings on his transfer were complex and unique.
• A shared point of interest among both fan bases: With Iamaleava now the starting quarterback at UCLA, both fan bases have a vested interest in his performance. Tennessee fans are watching to see how he does, and thus far, not been the start many were expecting from him, and UCLA fans are hoping that he can help the Bruins overcome a 0-2 start. This shared focus has led to a lot of discussion and interaction online and among social media platforms like X/Twitter.
• Media coverage and fan reactions have been on full display: Sports analysts and media personalities have dedicated significant airtime to Iamaleava's transfer from Tennessee to UCLA this offseason, to his early performances at UCLA. The commentary through the media and on social media platforms often involves comparing his current situation as the starting quarterback of the Bruins with his time last season at Tennessee, which brings both fan bases into the same conversation and dialogue. For example, some media outlets have suggested that Iamaleava's performance at UCLA "proves Tennessee fans were right all along." This kind of commentary, seen as criticism of his play through two games, creates a unique bond between the two fan bases as they react to the same story in similar and different ways.
• Unexpected interactions: The replies and responses to one another have been civil for the most part and even humorous, as both fanbases have taken the posts of each other's fanbases in stride.

Here are two examples and the replies and comments are evidence that for the most part, both fanbases have either bonded or at minimum, had a good, humorous laugh and have responded in a respectful matter.

With nearly 250 replies and counting, the interactions mostly have been in good spirit.

There tends to be an understanding between both fanbases that the start to UCLA's football season has not gone as planned.

The history between these two schools in football.

Historically speaking, it has been nearly even in terms of wins and losses as the Vols have won seven of the 15 times they have played the Bruins, as UCLA has won six and tied Tennessee twice.

These two programs last recently played one another in back-to-back seasons in 2008 and 2009 during the Great Recession. UCLA won both times in close games, defeating the Vols by three and four points.

Ten of the fifteen games they played have been decided by six or less points. UCLA and Tennessee's games in 1974 and 1985 both resulted in ties and both of the games were played in Knoxville, TN.

Arguably the most memorable and historical game was back in 1967, when UCLA's Gary Beban, who was ofter referred to and called The Great One, led the Bruins to a 20-16 victory over the Vols.

The most recent game that was considered a classic was back in 2008, when UCLA defeated Tennessee in overtime at the Rose Bowl. In a game where a kicker misses both field goal tries and then makes his next to force overtime, and a game where a quarterback can throw four interceptions in one half and be the hero in the next, it was an entertaining game to say the least.

Can UCLA and Tennessee fans be best friends this season?

More than likely not but the premise of the discussion should be centered around how two college football bases can come together and have a little fun and at the least, entertain one another on social media.

In short, the transfer of Iamaleava from Tennessee to UCLA has created a shared narrative and a common topic of conversation, leading to a new and unique connection between the Bruin and Vols fan bases.