Rick Clausen will be Tennessee's starting quarterback the rest of the year, but Brent Schaeffer could be ready for the SEC title game and there's an outside shot Erik Ainge also could be ready.

"I think Rick will be the quarterback in the SEC title game; I think Rick has done a good enough job that he's earned that starting spot for the rest of the year,'' UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "There's a possibility that Brent Schaeffer will be back. We'll get another X-ray this week.

"It's not out of the realm of possibility that Erik Ainge will be back.''

Schaeffer suffered a broken collarbone against South Carolina on Oct. 30. Ainge went down with a separated shoulder the following week against Notre Dame.

Fulmer concedes Clausen doesn't have Schaeffer's scrambling ability nor Ainge's arm strength, but he's no less impressed with what Clausen has accomplished.

"Rick is like a veteran,'' Fulmer said. "He's been through this a lot of times in practice. I don't think Vanderbilt was the most ferocious pass rush we'll see, but he did a good job managing that whole thing.''

Clausen has thrown more interceptions (3) than touchdowns (2), but he has a higher completion percentage than either of the freshmen - 60.4 percent to Ainge's 55.1 and Schaeffer's 51.5. Clausen also shows a knack for getting the team out of the huddle and calling protections.

Still, news that Schaeffer could be ready to practice next week and the possibility of Ainge returning in some capacity gives Auburn more to prepare for.

Schaeffer didn't wear his shoulder brace at the Vanderbilt game and was throwing on the sidelines. Ainge, however, still had his throwing arm in a sling.

Go Parys: UT defensive coordinator John Chavis gave the Vols the "G-Go'' call in the final minutes. And defensive end Parys Haralson went.

The result was Haralson's second QB pressure against Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler and Cutler's second interception of the game.

"Parys played lights out,'' Chavis said. "He played with the kind of tempo and effort you're looking for and really responded.''

Haralson also recorded two sacks in the 38-33 win over the Commodores, placing him in a four-way tie for the SEC lead with 7 1/2 on the season.

"When we make a 'go' call we're disregarding everything and rushing the passer,'' Chavis said. "We make that call when there's a 100-percent chance they'll throw. The key was Parys was bound and determined to make a play.''

The Commodores rolled up 420 total yards and a season-high 33 points.

Chavis said he had the defense "too conscious of the option,'' and he didn't adjust quickly enough to the flat-curl route Vandy hit repeatedly.

"I hadn't prepared them well enough to see that route, and that's where the buck stops,'' Chavis said. "It wasn't a lack of effort Saturday. The thing we hold them accountable for is effort. We have to look at what we're (coaches) doing as well as them.''

Injury Upadate: Fulmer said it appears offensive tackle Michael Munoz's latest injury, a sprained shoulder, won't sideline him this week. Center Jason Respert (hand) also is expected to return to practice. H-back Chris Brown suffered a wrist injury and needs X-rays.

Fulmer's biggest concern is cornerback Roshaun Fellows, who played on an injured ankle against Vanderbilt.

"We were trying not to play him,'' Fulmer said. "His foot is really sore. He played without any practice last week.''

Tight end Victor McClure suffered a laceration on his hand and finger and needed stitches.

Safety Antwan Stewart will continue full-speed work in practice, but Fulmer indicated he's not yet 100-percent and remains questionable.

Sportsmanship: Fulmer said he considered pulling Omar Gaither after the linebacker was assessed a 15-yard personal-foul penalty for taunting Cutler after a tackle.

"Then I thought, who do we have (to put in)?'' Fulmer said. "Jon Poe wasn't able to play (ankle), and Ellix Wilson has a hamstring. I was embarrassed; it was out of character for Omar to stand over a guy after making a play.''

Fulmer said the Vols typically show restraint. Fulmer said there was an incident near the Vols' bench in another game when an opponent spit on a UT player, and the player kept his cool. He also said the Vols avoided a major conflict before last year's Peach Bowl when a Clemson player came across midfield into UT's warm-up area.

Stat Watch: UT ranks 53rd nationally in total offense and 40th in total defense. Safety Jason Allen leads the SEC with 102 tackles and linebacker Kevin Burnett is third with 92.

The Line: UT opened as a 22-point favorite over Kentucky.