A few final thoughts after a week of coverage leading up to Tennessee's game with Auburn:

Can the key to the game be as simple as stopping Auburn's running game?

Yes.

Tigers' quarterback Jason Campbell has all sorts of impressive statistics: completion percentage, yards, efficiency, and the like.

But don't be fooled. Those numbers are the byproduct of Auburn's great run game.

Teams load up to stop the run — like Tennessee will — and the Tigers pass into man-to-man coverage that often offers no safety help (a scheme known as zero).

Even by surrendering those advantages to Auburn and Campbell, the Vols stand a better chance of winning.

Better to make the Tigers win with Campbell — who may or may not convert in the clutch — than to let Auburn run with Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown, who have shown time and time again they're capable of winning games.

INCENTIVE?

You bet. Not only have the Vols heard for the past year how they got manhandled by Auburn last season, but they've also heard Tigers' coach Tommy Tuberville all but say Auburn will do it again.

Tuberville said on the SEC coaches teleconference that it doesn't really matter what defenses try to do to stop his Tigers. As far as Tuberville is concerned, if Auburn executes, it's over.

The Tigers are bordering on overconfidence, and Auburn is a program that has traditionally not handled success well.

THE SLEEPERS

UT has had many young players perform well in the early goings, most notably quarterback Erik Ainge.

But the player who has looked the best in the scrimmages and practices, from a play-making standpoint, has just two catches this season.

Receiver Robert Meachem.

Once Meachem gets on-track, this offense will shift into another gear.

Meachem currently backs up Chris Hannon at the X receiver position.

Here's a thought: Put Meachem and Hannon on the field at the same time.

Another sleeper is Jonathan Hefney. We've seen what this true freshman can do with a punt return when he ran one back 47 yards for a TD. Granted, it was called back because of a penalty, but his skills were obvious.

It's just a matter of time before Hefney starts making those types of returns off interceptions. He's that good, but right now he's thinking too much instead of reacting in coverage.

That could change if Campbell throws a wobbly ball in his direction this weekend.

WHY AUBURN?

The Las Vegas oddsmakers have made Tennessee a 2-point favorite.

So why is the UT beat writer picking Auburn to win?

Odds, plain and simple.

For the Vols to win, this one will need to turn into a shootout.

Assuming both offenses get on track, a passing offense like Tennessee's would be more likely to turn the ball over than a run team like Auburn.

As for intangibles, the Vols' struggles on special teams have been well documented. The kick return game and kick coverage both rank outside the top 100 in the nation.

Yes, UT punter Dustin Colquitt is a weapon of sorts, but he doesn't get a chance to do his thing until after the UT offense has been stopped. In a game like this, that's not a good sign.

HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?

For the Vols to score a victory it will require a balanced offense and a Herculean effort on defense.

This was going to be a down year for UT's defense, anyway, as the Vols lost seven of 11 starters from last year.

Add to that the losses of Antwan Stewart, the best cover cornerback, and the top two middle linebackers, Kevin Simon and Marvin Mitchell, and then throw in the fact that three of last year's key defensive linemen are gone — Matt McGlothlin, suspended, J.T. Mapu, religious mission, and Greg Jones, redshirt — and the defense is stretched incredibly thin.

Even so, John Chavis is a great coach, and he has a unique ability to motivate his players.

It could happen, especially with the Tigers' overconfidence.

Tennessee needs something good to happen early in this ball game to get some momentum.

If not, it could be a long night at Neyland Stadium.