The coaches thought they saw it with their own eyes on the practice field Monday. When they watched the videotape Monday night it was confirmed.

"The difference was really evident last night watching the tape,'' offensive coordinator Randy Sanders said Tuesday.

Difference? What difference?

"We buzzed around as quick as we've been in several weeks,'' UT coach Phillip Fulmer said.

The bounce was back. The explosion was back.

"One thing we talked about early in the year,'' said Sanders, "was we looked like we were playing fast as an offense. And the last couple of games we haven't looked nearly as fast.''

The open date that was eight long, bruising weeks in coming did the trick.

When the 15th-ranked Vols (7-2, 5-1 SEC) return to the task of clinching an SEC Eastern Division title against Vanderbilt (1-6, 2-8) on Saturday and Kentucky on Nov. 27, they will be as healthy and fresh as they've been in a long time.

"We looked a lot better when we came back (Monday),'' Sanders said. "It wasn't perfect but we looked fast again.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to go out and play fast.''

The Vols' offense had definitely been dragging and it caught up with them in a 17-13 loss to Notre Dame on Nov. 13.

Playing eight consecutive weeks took its toll. Fulmer said Tuesday the running backs and receivers have to get back to being "dynamic.''

Injuries had riddled the offensive line and slowed tailbacks Cedric Houston and Gerald Riggs and several receivers.

But the injuries also rubbed off on players who weren't injured.

"When you have guys who are hurt and missing practice it obviously affects them,'' Sanders said. "But it also affects the ones who are practicing because they have to go more.

"You've got the guys who are injured and the guys who are tired, so nobody is as fast as they need to be.

"It kind of turns into Catch-22 a little bit.''

The open date might have unraveled Catch-22. The offensive line will be back in business, with the possible exception of guard Cody Douglas (foot sprain).

Getting Jason Respert back at center will be a plus. He missed the Notre Dame game due to a sprained ankle.

"He's the anchor, the glue that holds everything together,'' said Sanders. "I'm hoping he'll make everyone else better.''

Houston has fresh legs. The break allowed Riggs time to recover from an accumulation of injuries.

"I thought he (Riggs) looked better (Monday),'' Sanders said. "He sure hasn't been as fast the last few weeks. He's not been close to full speed.''

Getting the running game back to full speed is urgent since injuries have elevated third-string quarterback Rick Clausen to his first Tennessee start on Saturday.

"We started off like gang-busters,'' said Fulmer. "We've got to get back on track.''

If the first impressions from the open date are a true indication, the offense should get back on track Saturday.

"The chatter and the movement that was going on really made you feel good,'' Fulmer said.

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.