Q: You had it correct (Mike's matchups, Oct. 1). The team is young and the QB's are freshmen. They got beat up pretty good. But I'm not sure I saw a lot in them. The QB's just couldn't play catch-up like Casey could, then not many could. My question is can the Vols pull it together for Ga.? If so, there could well be a rematch. The Vols learned a lot tonight and will be a much better team by year's end. I know you will support them for the mending cycle but it has to be short.

rpdunn@pacbell.net

GRIFF: Auburn was an easy pick against Tennessee, just from a match-ups standpoint. Both UT quarterbacks have great upside, and I'm sure that in time they'll be capable of making the big comebacks and winning on the road like Casey Clausen did.

Auburn played like a BCS team: skilled, experienced and focused. No way you get away with six turnovers against a team like that.

Q: I am not going to sit here a moan and groan and say it is the end of the world like a lot of other Vol fans are doing right now. I will say this however, it is and will always be unacceptable for a Tennessee football team to get blown out 34-10 at home. With the talent we recruit, there is just no excuse. Losing is one thing but never even competing. A total disgrace!

cah_vols@earthlink.net

GRIFF: The Vols actually had more first downs than Auburn (22-17), and held the Tigers to 67 total yards in the second half.

That may seem like little consolation, but for a young team that's learning on the run — remember, UT is playing without eight of 11 starters from last year's team — that second half performance was important.

It's also a good test for the young QBs, as they must learn to deal with adversity.

Q: I like how you read the responses to your articles on the pay per view board. I'm curious, do you know if your colleagues at KNS follow your good example? And if not, why not? Are they less brave? I realize I'm baiting you, but, seriously, this adds a lot of enjoyment to the process for the fans. I realize that the other writers may not be as popular, but media types are always talking about how coaches and quarterbacks have to be thick skinned. So why not sports writers?

tnorthern@cox.net

GRIFF: I enjoy the interaction with the readers — it keeps me on my toes and lets me know what the audience is looking for and/or feeling. I've been writing this Internet column for four years now, and I've learned a great deal through my exchanges with fans.

As for the other writers, the only one who is overly sensitive is John Adams. John is such a gentle, sensitive and fragile man, that he often gets his feelings hurt by negative e-mails. So if you have something negative to say, please direct it toward me or our deputy sports editor, Phil "Oswego'' Kaplan at Kaplan@knews.com.

Q: Can you please tell me why, as good as we were running the ball in our second series, when we got to the red zone did we start passing. I hate to second guess any of our coaches. I, like everybody else, was praising them so far this year. But we should have run the ball more against Auburn Saturday night. Don't you think?

Mike.Davis2@conagrafoods.com

GRIFF: UT's offensive philosophy, in general, is to take what the defense is giving. Auburn did a nice job showing one thing and doing another, essentially tricking the Vols' into some ineffective play calls.

I think Tennessee is best when it lines up with a game plan and runs it regardless of what the defense is doing (1998). Granted, it takes a lot of talent to be able to do that, but the Vols aren't too far off from being back there.

Q; Auburn reminded me of past Tennessee teams with their great quarterback, fine running backs, good offensive line, good receivers and fast defense. As evidenced by the NFL draft last year, there seems to be a drop off in talent at Tennessee. I understand that our defense is young and we have some starters hurt. Could you tell me what the factors are that have contributed to Tennessee become perhaps the fourth or fifth best team in the SEC behind Georgia, Auburn, LSU, and maybe Florida?

cboling@naxs.com

GRIFF: I would agree the Vols' talent level had dropped off some at the skill positions — how many Peerless Prices, Donté Stallworths and Kelley Washingtons are out there? Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and Onterrio Smith in the backfield at the same time — are you kidding me?

That said, I think the Vols have some future NFL stars in their freshman and sophomore ranks.

As for rating UT in the SEC, I think Georgia and Auburn are at the top, with the Vols, Florida, South Carolina and LSU right there behind them. We'll see how it sorts out in the next few weeks.

Q: I would like to preface my question by saying that I remain excited about this team and its potential, but the defense is especially young and void of a true end that is a dominating pass rusher. I understand why Randy Sanders has not moved back up to the coaches box, and think that this is wise with two young QBs, but in your opinion should Chavis move back upstairs to get a bird's eye view of what is happening. It seems as though our defense is not making meaningful adjustments until halftime.

Tbrownky@hotmail.com

GRIFF: Chavis likes being on the field for many of the same reasons Sanders does. This being a young defense, Chavis needs to be there to instruct. Remember, the Vols' defense has only four coaches to the offense's six (I count Fulmer as an offensive coach).

Furthermore, Chavis is the best motivator on the team, and the kids love playing for him.

When he gets a veteran unit, I think you'll see Chavis move back up to the box.

Q: Is there really a QB competition going on, or are all of us watching a farce?

It seems to me that if there was a REAL competition, Schaeffer would get a comparable number of pass attempts a game or at least a comparable number of plays a game. Without time on the field and any sort of continuity, how can the coaches possibly evaluate him in comparison to Ainge.

It seems Schaeffer gets a series here and a series there but never has the opportunity to get into a groove as they give Ainge. It also looks like Schaeffer plays like he knows he's got one series (w/two plays handing off) to make a miracle or he's out. They need to let the kid know it's not all or nothing and let him know he's the man for the next "X" number of series. Calm the kid down, give him some confidence, scheme plays around him and let's see what he's capable of.

With that said, my take is that there was never an honest open competition. I think Fulmer/Sanders decided long ago that Ainge was their man b/c they don't know how to coach, develop or use Schaeffer's talent.

Without criticizing Ainge (b/c he is a real good drop back passer), Ainge is safe. He's in the style of Casey, Peyton, Schuler and Andy Kelly. But we never won a national title with this model — we did it in a transition year with Tee's legs/arm, a great defense and a little luck. And, when you think about it, if we had our prototype drop back QB waiting in the wings, we might have never won a championship b/c Tee would have never got a shot.

To me Schaeffer flashes potential to be a really rare talent and its a shame for him and a shame for the Vols that he won't have the opportunity to be coached up, schemed around and used appropriately.

So, what do you think of the above, how's this "QB competition" progressing and is Schaeffer getting a fair shake?

heath@gearyi.com

GRIFF: Schaeffer started the first three games, don't forget, and there was a pretty steady rotation through the first two. Ainge got the hot hand against Louisiana Tech in a game that was more competitive than expected (remember, Tech knocked off a Fresno State team that was ranked in the Top 25 last week). Against Auburn, the Vols had a 31-3 halftime deficit, and were in drop back mode. I don't think the UT coaches have given up on Schaeffer at all. I agree his many skills can help this team a great deal. I also agree the coaches need to be a tad more innovative with him. Give it time, and see how it works out. Both quarterbacks have great skills.

I said at the beginning of the year that Ainge's strengths might fit this particular UT team a little better, because the Vols are loaded at receiver and the tailbacks had been somewhat of a question mark.

But with the offensive line blowing open some run lanes, and the resurgence of Houston and Riggs, that could change. Next year, once Arian Foster takes off the redshirt (wish they would do it this year, that kid has some serious juice), the personality of the team could change once more. So much so that the Vols will be a national title contender.