Tennessee needs to work smarter, not harder, as the old adage goes.

That's especially true if the No. 17 Vols are to have any chance of scoring an upset at No. 3 Georgia on Saturday in Athens.

A look at the SEC statistics shows Tennessee has done things the hard way and has not been as opportunistic as other teams in the league.

It's in the numbers:

* The Vols have allowed opponents to score first in every game this season.

* UT has failed to score on its first possession in each half of every game.

* The Vols have the worst averaging starting field position in the league (UT 24).

* UT has the most number of plays in its average scoring drive (8.16).

* The Vols have the most average yards in their scoring drives (72.74).

* UT has scored fewer points off turnovers (21) than any team in the SEC.

And then you take into consideration that the Vols have the youngest starting lineup in the SEC, are running a two-quarterback system with true freshmen and are without eight of 11 defensive starters from last year's team.

Vols On Offense: Coordinator Randy Sanders said UT will rotate QBs to some degree on Saturday, depending on the efficiency of Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer.

Whoever is under center, balancing the run and the pass will be key.

"You have to keep them honest,'' Sanders said. "You get downhill with your running backs, but then you'll also have plays designed to cut back and some misdirection.

"You make them defend the entire field against the passing game and create a little more space.''

Ainge's arm strength allows him to make more of the downfield throws, such as deep outs, and his ability to get through his progressions enables him to find open receivers.

If Ainge struggles against Georgia's zone defense, however, Schaeffer could see more playing time. UT has inserted a quarterback draw-option play out of its shotgun formation. The play should freeze linebackers and allow Schaeffer to get loose running or set up play-action passes.

Stat Projection: Ainge 15-of-29, 195 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; Schaeffer 4-of-7, 82 yards, 30 yards rushing. UT tailbacks 40 carries, 155 yards.

Vols On Defense: Coordinator John Chavis will play a game of hide-and-seek with Georgia quarterback David Greene.

Greene calls his plays at the line of scrimmage based on the defensive look. That means Chavis and his Vols will be looking to disguise their pass coverages and blitzes.

"The biggest thing is you can't show them your hand,'' Chavis said. "The more of an illusion you can create, the better.''

The Vols' linebackers will jump in and out of gaps feigning or coming on blitzes throughout the game. The secondary, meanwhile, will rotate quickly into zone or man coverage after the snap.

"Some teams you can line up and say, 'Here we are,' " Chavis said. "You can't do that against Georgia and be successful.

Stat Projection: Greene 18-of-30, 230 yards, 3 TD. Danny Ware 16 carries, 75 yards. Reggie Brown six catches, 90 yards.

On The Spot: The UT secondary. Greene and his receivers are capable of carving them up if they blow assignments or miss tackles.

Players To Watch: When David Pollack and Michael Munoz go head-to-head, it'll be interesting. The normally calm Munoz saves his fury for games like this. This could be a big game for receiver Jayson Swain if he's willing to go over the middle.

Prediction: Georgia 24, Tennessee 20.

Griff Says: Turnovers and special teams could be key.