My final thoughts this game week — as well as my prior and current — have been about Gary Lundy and what a fine friend he was to me.

Being a sportswriter is a challenging, fun job for the most part. Like most any other profession, relationships are very important to succeed.

It's important to be trusted and respected by those you deal with on a daily basis, sources and co-workers alike.

I haven't known any columnists that are more universally liked and trusted than Gary Lundy.

It's going to be strange going into Neyland Stadium knowing that the master of the "Best and Worst" Sunday column — always my first read the next day — won't be there to observe. I always knew when Gary had something really good, because I could hear him chuckle from the second row.

Most of us at the News Sentinel sit in a different seat in the front row of the press box each week, but Gary sat in the same seat in the second row at Neyland Stadium every time. Whoever drew the seat next to him was in for an afternoon of friendly and insightful conversation.

I was pleased to hear UT sports information director Bud Ford will leave that seat open on game day, to honor Gary.

I'm not sure how many people will be in Neyland Stadium today, probably 100,000 and some change.

I'll be more conscious of the empty seat behind me.

THE GAME

Seems trivial on a personal note, and maybe even from the perspective of what it means to UT's football season.

The Vols' fate won't be sealed until they play Auburn in the SEC championship game a week from now. Look impressive against the Tigers, and the Citrus Bowl is still a possibility.

Phillip Fulmer has done and said all he can to keep his team focused, but one wonders if human nature will kick in and the Vols will let up.

On the other hand, it's possible human nature will set in for the Wildcats, one way or another.

One of two things will happen: Kentucky will play its heart out, as the Wildcats' former quarterback, Jared Lorenzen always did, or they'll cash it in and get embarrassed.

MATCHUPS: Kentucky's coming off its best quarter of football of the season, and Tennessee is coming off its worst.

How long the Wildcats' confidence lasts will be determined by the Vols' offense.

It's simple: Can Tennessee's playmakers break tackles? If so, the Vols will win easily.

WORTH NOTING:UT's streak of three consecutive seasons with a shutout is in jeopardy today. If the Vols don't hang a goose egg on the Wildcats, it's hard to imagine them shutting down Auburn or their bowl opponent.