The lights come on at Neyland Stadium tonight.

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer can't wait to see who will shine brightest in the second full scrimmage of the fall.

"I just got done telling the guys, we have to take the next step,'' Fulmer said. "It's an open competition (at tailback) just like at quarterback. We'll play the best player that gives us the best chance to make plays on a consistent basis.

"So far, they've all had their moments.''

Doing it every day in practice is important, but doing it on a lighted stage with a position on the line is another. Fulmer said he'll "do everything we can to get the repetitions as close as we can'' at quarterback and tailback in tonight's scrimmage.

Senior quarterback C.J. Leak -- No. 1 on the depth chart but not yet appointed the starter -- is taking a businesslike approach into tonight's action.

"I'm ready to go and do whatever the coaches ask me,'' said Leak, who took just eight snaps in the first scrimmage Saturday. "I'm going to go out there and work on the things I need to work on and run the offense.

"Whatever the play calls for, that's what I'm going to do.''

Transfer Rick Clausen, freshmen Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge and redshirt freshman Bo Hardegree will also get their chances.

That may not be the case after tonight.

"There's no way we can continue to get four quarterbacks the number of repetitions they are getting,'' Fulmer said. "The film will be very important.''

It appears the onus will be on Clausen and Hardegree to produce tonight, or possibly lose the amount of work they get with the first and second teams. Fulmer, however, indicated he's not necessarily disappointed with either quarterback.

"Rick has got the best grasp of our offense of all the guys,'' he said. "It's just putting the ball where he wants to put it' that has been his struggle.

"Bo has made great progress ... from where he was last year to this year. I'm not disappointed at all.''

Outside the obvious battle at quarterback, Fulmer is looking for a starting tailback, more continuity on the offensive line and more consistency at receiver.

Defensively, a hard look will be given to the secondary, which is replacing three of four starters from last year's base package, and five of six from the Mustang six-defensive back look.

UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said there's still plenty of work to be done.

"We played really hard the last scrimmage, but we made too many mistakes,'' Chavis said. "From a fundamental and technique standpoint, we need to take better care of our responsibilities.''

James Banks, who missed Tuesday's practice with a sore shoulder and foot, will get more looks at safety. Omar Gaither, who is running second team at strongside linebacker, will also get a look in the Mustang package.

The scrimmage could also prove critical from an injury standpoint; the Vols' depth has been tapped at most every position.

UT lost two linebackers, likely for the season, on Tuesday. Marvin Mitchell underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and is likely to redshirt, while Nick Wilson was suspended for a year for an undisclosed violation of team rules. That leaves the Vols eight linebackers, three short of the target depth at the position.

The defensive line is thin as well, particularly at tackle. Fulmer said he's pleased with the progress of Jesse Mahelona, Tony McDaniel and Justin Harrell, but he wants to see if freshman Ell Ash or sophomore LaRon Harris can play their way into the rotation.