1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclo-octatetraene dianion (TMCOT(-2)) is employed as a metalloporphyrin model. Its UV-VIS absorption spectrum shows two electronic bands, an intense band (Soret or B) at similar to 215 nm and a weaker state (Q band) at 382 nm, while cyclo-octatetraene dianion (COT-2) only has a B band at 236 nm. An exact Pariser-Parr-Pople (PPP) calculation of COT-2 predicts a strong Soret band at 231 nm and a vanishing Q band intensity at 366 nm. Resonance Raman spectrum with excitation near the Q and Soret bands of TMCOT(-2) shows enhancement patterns remarkably similar to those of metalloporphyrins. Nontotally symmetric modes are enhanced in resonance with the Q band, while the totally symmetric modes are enhanced in resonance with the B state. The cyclic polyene TMCOT(-2) spectrum thus provides direct evidence for Herzberg-Teller coupling of the Q band and B state.