Some of both. Missouri can score a lot of points (they're about 9th in overall scoring and 8th in points per game), and Vandy's not really that good from what's been seen.
also the Tigers are healthy at this point; they were decimated by injuries last season...their defense is a bit worse than last year's though
I actually saw a couple of network guys with a potential coach's board up, and they had Franklin on it.
Ridiculous idea that they would go after a guy that hasn't beaten anyone, has scandals on his team, starts a QB that is entrenched in a gang rape case, has to apologize over every third twitter post, and lacks experience.
They might as well have kept Kiffin and been done with it.
I don't know about ESPN, but at least some on CBS were touting him, and I believe I saw other places. Granted, it could have been some 3rd level C team web writers but still.