Chief Defender: A visibly frustrated John Chavis defended Tennessee secondary coach Larry Slade in the midst of criticism directed at the Vols' young secondary.

Asked if the 2002 and 2003 UT secondary was underrated, the defensive coordinator said: "There isn't any doubt about it. ... some of the comments that were made two years ago, I wonder if anyone knew anything about football.

"What held our team together the last two years was our secondary...you take a bunch of inexperience out there and look at the difference."

In 2002 and 2003, UT's pass efficiency defense was ranked 11th and 15th respectively. This year, the Vols rank 101st with three first time starters in the defensive backfield. The only returning starter, junior safety Jason Allen, played cornerback in 2003.

Compounding the problem, Chavis said the Vols were struggling to pressure the passer even in blitz situations.

"I think it's easy to see that our pressure package is not as effective as it has been last year or any other time," Chavis said.

UT's defensive pressure could benefit from the presence of junior Parys Haralson. The defensive end underwent an MRI on his sore knee. Results were negative. Haralson is listed as questionable for the Georgia game.

Sanders Speaks: UT offensive coordinator Sanders said both freshman quarterbacks are still "co-starters" and practice repetitions are being split 50/50.

"Their whole defense is good," Sanders said of Georgia. "It's going to take 11 guys playing their butt off every play ... that's what you always have to have offensively but this week it's especially true. Any bad steps or miscommunication will be magnified against a defense of their caliber."

Carpe Diem II: Senior linebacker Kevin Burnett is taking a similar mental approach to Georgia as he did Auburn last week.

"It's do or die," Burnett said of the Georgia game. "Sometimes you get second chances. This is our second chance. If you blow it here, you have no chance."

Before Auburn last week, Burnett said: "There's no next week. It's win or die."

Up Front: Offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens said there is a battle shaping up at right tackle if current starter Arron Sears can't play versus Georgia because of a sore foot and ankle. Sears is listed as doubtful. Stephens said juniors Albert Toeaina and Richie Gandy are even as they vie for playing time backing up Sears.

Stephens said Toeaina still needs to improve fundamentally but has improved his understanding of the offense by studying game tape while being injured.

Toeaina was the projected starter at right tackle before suffering a deep bone bruise in his knee before the season. He has played a limited role in two games since returning from the injury.

UT offensive guard Rob Smith said he has a tendency to lose some of his lauded aggressiveness when the Vols are forced to pass repeatedly.

"I get going better when I'm hitting people and feeling wild out there," Smith said. "(When I'm) pass blocking, I'm not a wild man out there. I have to remind myself that pass blocking is just as important."

Prove It: UT junior running back Gerald Riggs said he is no more aware of Georgia's physical safeties than any other safeties the Vols face.

"They put their pads on the same way we do," Riggs said. "They make a lot of plays. They're pretty good tacklers. They're physical but so are we.

"You have to show us how big of a hitter you are. We're going to come at you and play physical. That's the kind of ball we play. If you're known as a big hitter ... that's fine. You're still going to have to prove it to us."

Georgia safety Thomas Davis is widely thought of as one of the most physical and athletic defensive backs in the SEC.

Injuries: In addition to Sears and Haralson, junior Justin Reed is still hobbled from the Auburn game. The tight end is listed as doubtful for Saturday with a sore knee.