Something's got to give in the way of streaks when Tennessee plays Auburn in the SEC championship game.

Dating back to the 2001, the Vols have dropped three consecutive games in the Georgia Dome, where they'll face Auburn at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Atlanta facility has become Tennessee's personal house of horrors after the Vols dropped the past two Peach Bowls and melted down in the second half of the SEC championship game against LSU in '01.

On the flipside, UT has been giant killers when placed in the role of double-digit underdog, winning three consecutive games when opponents are favored by 10 or more points dating back to 2001. The Vols' started that streak with a win over 17 1/2-point favorite Florida at The Swamp in '01, and have followed up with wins over 13-point favorite Miami at the Orange Bowl last season, and at 11-point favorite Georgia this season.

Auburn has opened as a 12 1/2-point favorite.

"When you're an underdog you get a burr in your saddle a little bit more and your intensity level goes up,'' Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "I know the last two weeks we haven't had the passion we've needed to have. We can't play like that and hope to win.''

Fulmer said he doesn't believe the odds, nor the Vols' Georgia Dome misfortune has an affect on the game.

"I tell our kids all the time, regardless of where we play and who we play and what the weather is, the field is the same length and width everywhere,'' said Fulmer, who won his first two trips to the Georgia Dome, topping Auburn in 1997 and beating Mississippi State in 1998. "Once you get to the SEC championship game, all bets are off. Anything can happen.''

Perhaps, but it's understandable why the oddsmakers are leaning toward the Tigers. While Auburn has had an off-week to prepare for the Vols and is as healthy as they've been all season, Tennessee comes limping in.

Fulmer indicated he's not sure if preseason All-America offensive tackle Michael Munoz (sprained shoulder) or junior guard Cody Douglas (foot) will play. The Vols' mammoth defensive tackle, Justin Harrell, also is questionable after injuring his ankle Saturday.

"We're not quite at full strength in some ways,'' Fulmer said. "We'll do the very best we can to hang in there with them.''

Fulmer said freshman quarterback Erik Ainge (shoulder) has been ruled out for the game and a decision on Brent Schaeffer (collarbone) won't be made until later in the week, though Schaeffer will practice today.

More Harrell: Fulmer said Harrell will undergo an X-ray today on his injured ankle. It's the same ankle Harrell had surgery on two years ago. Fulmer was miffed at how the injury occurred - on a chop block - against Kentucky.

"I don't like it one bit, and the whistle had blown and it was a dead play,'' Fulmer said. "I shared my displeasure at the time with that. I don't want to say too much about that.''

Reality Check: Fulmer reiterated he's been pleased with quarterback Rick Clausen.

"He came in the second half and he had the one bad play, otherwise he played very well against Notre Dame,'' Fulmer said. "He has played with good confidence and execution in the last couple games. Of course you can't compare Kentucky and Vanderbilt's defense to what he'll see against Auburn.''

Nothing Special: Fulmer expressed disappointment with the special teams.

"Yesterday (Saturday) was horrible; no help in us winning the football game,'' he said. "It's an area we'll continue to address. You hate to put a whole bunch of starters out there, we have them sprinkled in now. We're young, (and) we've got a bunch of guys we've lost.''

More Odds: The over/under for the game is 47 1/2 total points being scored. Couple that with the 12 1/2-point spread, and the oddsmakers are basing the betting line off a 30-17 Auburn win.