Fulmer’s Take: "We had a very good week," Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "We are fortunate to have our speed and quickness back. The open date really helped."

Tailback Talk: Running back coach Trooper Taylor said senior Cedric Houston will start at tailback versus Vanderbilt. Taylor said senior tailback Jabari Davis could see an increased role Saturday.



"You may see some more Jabari," Taylor said. "I’m excited about his progress. You’ve got to do it my way. If you don’t, you’re not going to play."



Trooper’s way consists of changing, and emphasizing, tailback fundamentals when he joined UT’s staff earlier this year. Davis was slower to adapt than his tailback counterparts.



Taylor said Davis had improved in pass protection, alignment, and step discipline. Taylor said Houston is still bothered by a sore ankle while Riggs has recovered from a hip pointer.

OK: Freshman wide receiver Robert Meachem said there is "no question" he will play Saturday. The Oklahoman has worn a green non-contact jersey this week to protect his sore shoulder.

Reshuffling Returner: Fulmer said sophomore tailback David Yancey will start the Vanderbilt game as kick returner. Fulmer said senior tailback Cedric Houston and freshman cornerback Jonathan Hefney could also get a shot returning kicks Saturday.

Time Off: Senior punter Dustin Colquitt is still trying to overcome a groin injury. Colquitt hasn’t participated in a full practice since the Notre Dame game. He was injured while practicing kickoffs.



UT’s backup punter is John Henderson. The senior from Germantown handles holding duties for field goals and extra points. His one collegiate kick was 39 yards against Mississippi State last season.



"Dustin will be fine, I think," Fulmer said. "If not, then John Henderson has kicked the ball very well for us."



Colquitt was on the sidelines during practice Wednesday.



"He has taken it real well," sophomore kicker James Wilhoit said. "He’s doing as much as he can preparing to kick without actually kicking the ball. He’s done it for so long that I think he’ll be ready to play.



If Colquitt plays Saturday, the time could be a blessing. Colquitt has a tendency to overwork his leg in practice resulting in fatigue. Wilhoit said he faced a similar scenario in high school.



"My leg felt more rested than it ever had," Wilhoit said. "I really don’t think it will be too much of problem for him. Maybe his first couple of kicks in warm-ups will be different for him. Once he gets back in the groove, I think he’ll do very well."



Wilhoit could likely benefit from some time off; he is nursing a sore ankle.



Flip For It: "He is like the other side of the coin," junior wide receiver Chris Hannon said when asked to compare Rick Clausen to his brother, former Vol Casey Clausen. "He works at his timing a little more. He’s more athletic."



The differences don’t stop when the two leave the football field.



"If we’re in the club, Casey’s pretty much just standing, but he’s (Rick’s) dancing," Hannon said. "He’s a dancer. He’ll get down."

His Time: With junior Robert Boulware’s second straight start looming Saturday, Boulware will become the second Vol to log two straight starts at strong safety. The other is suspended junior Brandon Johnson.



Boulware’s start against Notre Dame made him the fourth different UT starting strong safety this season. The additional playing time is paying dividends.



"Safety comes with a lot of reps," the Charlotte, N.C., native said. "The more reps you get at practice, the more reps you get in a game, the better you are at it. You’re working on instincts instead of reading on the run."

Shhhh: Fulmer said he agreed with Wednesday’s vote among coaches to keep the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll ballots secret.



"It’s not so much the team using it against you," Fulmer said. "It’s the public stir you could create through the media. We’re very conscientious about trying to do it the right way. We’re doing it as a service to them. Why do I want crap for it? It’s my business."



Fulmer said he "probably" would not vote if the coaches’ votes ever became public. Fulmer said the polling body has told him that they will disregard a ballot that is "really unusual".



"You try to do it with integrity and I trust every one else does to," Fulmer said.

Second Try: UT junior quarterback Rick Clausen hopes his second SEC start is different than his last. He’ll start for UT on Saturday versus Vanderbilt. Clausen started for LSU against Ole Miss in 2002. Clausen struggled before being replaced Marcus Randall.



"It was quite a bit of a shock," Clausen said of starting. "Maturity-wise, I don’t think I was ready for it. Everything seemed to go just a little bit too fast. As I’ve gotten bigger and stronger, I feel like I’m ready to play."



Clausen transferred to UT in 2003, in part, to play with his older brother, Casey.

Back Home: Wilhoit said he is looking forward to playing in the mid-state area. The Hendersonville native said he followed Vanderbilt growing up. Wilhoit said he kicked in Vanderbilt Stadium during tat least two high school playoff games when the field was made of artificial turf. Now, it’s grass.



Another Test: UT junior defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona has excelled against the run, pass, and, even, double-teams this season. Now, the Hawaiian native must face Vanderbilt’s option attack.



"At my position, you try to focus on the quarterback; leaving the linebacker to defend the running back," Mahelona said. "You can’t come in and be overaggressive or you take yourself out of different plays. We have to play hard but disciplined."