Tailback Talk: Tennessee running backs coach Trooper Taylor said junior tailback Gerald Riggs played his most complete game against Vanderbilt. Riggs rushed for 149-yards. Taylor said his pass protection and fundamentals were superb.

Taylor said senior Cedric Houston will likely retain the starting job this week because of his big-play ability on running plays and as a receiver on UT's tailback swing pass.

First: UT offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens said he has never coached a player that lined up at four different offensive line positions in a game. Junior Richie Gandy accomplished that feat Saturday against Vanderbilt.

"Rich Gandy is a very, very valuable player in our offensive line to be able to do that," Stephens said. "You hope you never get caught in that situation. He was very consistent."

Stephens said this is only the second time in his career that he has coached a team with as many nagging injuries as the Vols. Injuries have made practice absences the norm. UT has rarely had their first team offensive line intact for a practice since September.

"One year down at Florida we had a similar situation," Stephens said. "That was the only time it has ever come close to this year. You'd like to be the best you can be like we were at the beginning of the year when we were healthy, physical, and played well together."

Riled Cats: Stephens expects to see a fired up Kentucky defensive line, in particular senior Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns who is playing with a sore knee and ankle.

"I think he's one of the better ones in the conference," Stephens said. "He's been injured somewhat and missed some games. He's as good as we've seen this year. Their defensive (line) may be in the top two or three we've played all season."

Injury Report: Junior offensive tackle Cody Douglas said his goal is to play in the SEC championship next week. Douglas's sprained foot will not allow him to play this week.

Douglas said doctors from Texas, his home state, and UT have told him surgery at this point could worsen the problem. Douglas has been told that the injury, even when fully healed, could cause chronic pain and limit his athleticism permanently.

"I was dying to get back out there. I don't have any regrets about it," Douglas said of playing with the injury against South Carolina and Notre Dame. "I don't feel like I was misinformed. I misinformed the (UT) medical staff. I lied about the pain. If I place the blame on anybody, I place it on myself.

"I pushed myself back out there. They (UT) were willing to let me rest. I approached them about playing. It's on Cody Douglas."

Dirty play: Senior linebacker Kevin Burnett will play his last game in Neyland Stadium Saturday against Kentucky. As far as dirty play over his career, he said the worst instance happened last year against the Wildcats.

"I got spit in my face and somebody grabbed my throat," Burnett said. I don't remember the guy's name but I will look at the film. I'm not going to fight; I'm just going to play hard. He better not play."

Visiting: Waynesville, N.C., quarterback Jonathan Crompton and father, David, visited Knoxville and UT coaches Tuesday while on Thanksgiving break.