Q: How do you think the Vols will do this year? I am very excited about this season because of incoming freshmen and JC transfers. Do you think the freshmen QBs will have a shot? I think we should get one of them starting now so they will be very good when they get older.

mikepitner12@hotmail.com

GRIFF: I predict Tennessee will win 10 games and contend for the SEC East title this season. The Vols have their most talented front seven on defense since 2001, and their most talented offensive line since 1999. The receivers are as good as the 1998 crew. The Vols haven't had a marquee back since Travis Henry left in 2000 -- Gerald Riggs is the X-factor. The secondary is young and must replace three of four starters and five of the six players from last year's Mustang six-defensive back package.

As for the quarterbacks, many questions will be answered in the upcoming weeks:

Can C.J. Leak handle shifting fronts and throw the ball to the right receiver when blitzed?

Does Rick Clausen have the arm strength to make the downfield throws?

Is Brent Schaeffer physically mature enough to take the big hits at the SEC level?

How quickly will Erik Ainge master the Vols' offensive scheme?

Leak is the veteran who has waited four years for this chance. Clausen appears to be capable enough not to lose games -- but can he win them? Schaeffer is a lightning-quick runner with just enough arm strength and accuracy to be dangerous. Ainge, the prototypical dropback passer with great footwork and arm strength, is still improving his timing.

Q: Okay, Okay. I admit that I'm one of those who said that (Phillip Fulmer) should go to Alabama anyway and face those bunch of Alabama hyenas. But having read his statement, I think he does an excellent job of crystallizing what this is about.

The NCAA expects schools to abide by the rules and to report violations. Fulmer did this. And when you do the right thing in exposing wrongdoing, you can expect the wrongdoers to come after you. The Bible teaches this, so it is not a new phenomenon by any means.

I liked what (Fulmer) had to say in response to those folks making personal cuts against him. It's about time that the head coach of the football team of the University of Tennessee had more to say than to defer a question saying he needed to look at the film.

One possible benefit that I failed to consider the other day is that in doing this, Fulmer takes the focus all upon himself. Spurrier was a master at doing this year in and year out. He'd make himself the center of controversy, of attention, and thus, teams would spend time getting mad instead of getting ready. They'd be reading the bulletin board instead of the playbook. (Please, no jokes about "if they can read.'') Who can forget the run up to the 1997 Sugar Bowl? I hope we're going to play this by the rules of football, he said. If Fulmer starts doing this well, then it might relieve pressure on his own team, move the spotlight off of them, and allow them to relax. We'll see. I don't think this bunch is on anyone's BCS watch list, but neither were the 1998 Vols.

Eric Stinnett, Vidalia, Ga.

youboys@bellsouth.net

GRIFF: Fulmer's decision wasn't nearly as surprising as the passion with which he took his stand.

Fulmer is a conservative coach, and for the most part, a conservative man. On those occasions when he does take chances (Fourth-and-1 at Miami and he runs an end around?), it has worked out well for him.

As for the "Hyena's'' in Alabama, you must realize that Thomas Gallion is merely doing his job, representing his clients and drawing as much attention to their case against the NCAA as possible.

The media has a responsibility to understand the facts and report them clearly to the public. True, this is a very complex and detailed story involving four pending lawsuits and seven years of recruiting history, but radio, TV and print media alike must educate themselves on the subject before addressing it either a subjective or objective manner.

Unfortunately, that hasn't always been the case with this story, and much misinformation is out there. The story has yet to fully play out, as Gallion has said there is more damning information forthcoming.

As for Fulmer's teleconference performance, he merely presented a point of view that many in the state of Alabama had not heard.

If Fulmer opens up on the football field like he did in his Media Days teleconference, the Vols could lead the SEC in scoring.

You mentioned this year's edition of the Vols not being on any BCS watch lists, similar to 1998. UT is 14th in the coaches' poll entering this season; in 1998 the Vols were ranked 10th heading into their opener with Syracuse.

Q: .Fulmer should face his obligations or quit coaching in the SEC. He was a narc and thought no one would ever know. He is so two-faced.

Rhonda175939@aol.com

GRIFF: A narc? Are you implying drugs were involved in Alabama's case with the NCAA?

Fact is, the NCAA has relied on anonymous testimony for years while gathering information regarding compliance. It's in the NCAA bylaws for a coach to report any and all possible violations, whether it's his/her school or another.

Some have taken Fulmer to task for agreeing to meet with a Rivals.com writer who claimed to have damaging information in the Alabama case.

That seems aggressive until one remembers that the alleged violations took place in Memphis -- a city that Fulmer must rely on heavily if he's to win his state during recruiting. With the recent speculation that the NCAA will mandate schools cutback various aspects of recruiting, it will be all the more important for Fulmer and his staff to lock down state borders.

When it comes to producing Division I football talent, the state of Tennessee ranks among the worst per capita in the Southeast.

Q: What is Coach Fulmer's record against top 25 teams since he became head coach? While Randy Sanders has been offensive coordinator? While David Cutcliffe was offensive coordinator? Thanks for your answer.

O. Taylor Pickard, Jr., Kingsport

opickard@wwglaw.com

GRIFF: Fulmer is 35-21 (.625) vs. Top 25 teams. UT is 12-12 vs. Top 25 since Sanders took over for the 1998 national championship game. Fulmer is 9-13-1 as an underdog against Top 25 teams and 6-6 in bowl games.

Q: I have a question for you. I live in Niceville, on the Florida panhandle near Fort Walton Beach and Destin. We have a 100,000-watt FM sports talk radio station here (WTKE) which spotlights college football a lot.

The buzz on the morning show is that UT is not happy with Phillip Fulmer's involvement in the Alabama probation fiasco. These guys are saying that if Coach Fulmer doesn't have a really good (you decide the definition) year, that he could be gone. They're even floating around Steve Spurrier's name as a possible successor -- can you believe it?

My question: Is Coach Fulmer on the hot seat? After reading various articles, I'm beginning to believe that maybe there is something to the rumors. It's hard to understand, though. How you can fire a coach for only winning 10 games and only a share of the SEC East title, and for not reaching a standard that he raised the bar on?

My opinion is that Tennessee's drop-off has been due to Mark Richt's in-state recruiting in Georgia, especially with Rodney Garner on the staff. Before Richt arrived, we loaded up on Georgia talent. Not so any longer. Nor is any other school outside Georgia. What is your opinion?

Britt Willis, Niceville, FL

FLVol4God

GRIFF: Fulmer is in good standing with the UT administration from all indications. The school paid the $10,000 fine he was assessed for missing SEC Media Days -- though they will appeal the fine. New UT President Dr. John Petersen appeared at a press conference the day the fine was assesses and spoke strongly on Fulmer's behalf.

There's no doubt Richt has turned it around at Georgia, and recruiting ace Rodney Garner is a big reason why. The last major Georgia recruit that the Vols beat Garner on was Jabari Davis, and Davis has yet to live up to his Parade All-American billing.

Q: I was sorry to hear about Coach Fulmer's decision to skip SEC Media Days, but I understand it. I have two questions about it. First, has it happened before that a coach has skipped Media Days?

Second, I remember a passionate rivalry with Alabama growing up, but nothing like this hostility. I heard a call-in show about four years ago in Birmingham as I drove through the area (before Bama's rules violations and punishment came about) and the sheer hatred of Tennessee was shocking. They mocked UT's losses (to Florida on the famous 0.1 second catch in the end zone among other things) and belittled UT fans. And this was from the shows hosts as well as the callers.

In fact, it went on as long as I listened. They never got around to discussing Alabama football that I can remember. Now that hate has been ratcheted up a few more notches.

The question is this: Have you ever seen this level of personal hatred and could this damage college football in the South? I might worry about my son's safety going onto the field in Birmingham, not to mention Coach Fulmer's.

Tim Wilson, Knoxville

timwwilson@chartertn.net

GRIFF: Yes, I have seen this level of hatred between fans and heard radio talk show hosts fan the flames: When I worked in Alabama from 1992-1997, covering Auburn and Alabama.

The ill-will brought down both programs to the point where the Iron Bowl has lost much of its luster outside the state.

Now that both programs are somewhat "down,'' the attention is turned to the so-called evil empire run by UT coach Phillip Fulmer.

It's a popular and convenient topic of discussion; not so different than how Vols' fans once case a cynical eye and spat verbal venom in the direction of former Florida coach Steve Spurrier.

Q: Big Griffer, please get out of Knoxville while you still can. If you stay another three years you will have the "stench of Losers'' hanging all over you. Your hair, your clothes, your car.

I have to stay "orange" because I was born in Bristol the last week of 1939 and went "off" to Knoxville in 1958.

But you, Big Griffer. You from some place else. Go off to Southern Cal. Now there is some ball players all gathered together!

wayne30092@ixpres.com

GRIFF: Wayne, I was born in Mobile, Ala., and spent most of my youth in Illinois and Michigan before moving back down South in 1992. I've watched SEC for years, enjoying the rivalries and passion.

I'm not exactly sure what your issue with me is, but you seem to have a love/hate relationship with your Tennessee Vols.

I'll do my best to keep you informed of the goings on within the football team through January.

Q: Can you please tell me who the team Doctor is for the UT football players?

Virginia, in Knoxville

Elkes Lips@aol.com

GRIFF: Dr. Val Gene Iven is the team physician, but the Vols rely on a great deal of specialists depending on the players' ailments.

Dr. Bill Youmans is the team's head orthopedist and is assisted by Dr. Russell Betcher and Dr. Greg Mathien. Dr. Michael Petty is the team chiropractor.

However, the man with the pulse on team health is head athletic Keith Clements, a 32-year-old California native. Clements has handled his day-to-day duties remarkably well over two trying seasons, commanding the respect of the players and coaches alike.

Wayne300092, I'm still trying to find the Vols' team psychologist in the media guide.