Starters/Injuries: Head coach Phillip Fulmer said both freshmen quarterbacks will play versus Georgia Saturday. Fulmer said Erik Ainge will "probably" start.

Fulmer said Ainge and Brent Schaeffer’s play would dictate who will play the most.

"Those two youngsters will have to do a great job handling the noise," Fulmer said. "That will be a new challenge for them."

Fulmer said Arron Sears is optimistic he can play. Fulmer said he’s not as sure Sears will be physically ready. Fulmer said junior Albert Toeaina would start in place of Sears. Junior Richie Gandy will also play.

Fulmer complimented several players for overcoming minor injuries this week. Fulmer said junior defensive end Parys Haralson will be ready to play versus Georgia but might not start.

Fulmer said the improved play of defensive end Turk McBride may merit a starting position. Fulmer said Haralson is close to 100-percent.

Fulmer said junior tight end Justin Reed will not play.



Almost a Dawg: "I was real close to going to Georgia," UT free safety Jason Allen said. "They wanted me to play running back. I thought about it; I could have played receiver there or maybe even the secondary.

Allen rushed for over 1,700 yards, averaging 8 yards per carry while scoring 25 touchdowns in 10 games for Muscle Shoals (Ala.) high school.

Allen is the leading tackler in the SEC with 10.8 tackles per game. Allen was moved from cornerback to safety earlier this season to improve UT’s run defense.

"Those guys are the last line of defense," UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said. "Run game wise, if you don’t tackle well there you’re going to give up big plays."

"Jason Allen is the leading tackler of our football team. We don’t like it like that but that’s where we are right now."

Chavis laments Allen’s tackling statistic because it means opposing ball carriers are reaching UT’s secondary before they’re stopped.

Prowler Package: When asked if he might run the "Prowler package" this week, Fulmer said to a television reporter, "Why would I talk about that on TV? We look like we’re prowling anyway trying to find the right place to line up."



UT has used the "Prowler" package in pass situations. UT’s defensive front will move around, often times standing up, just before the snap to confuse the opposing offense.

My Bad: Corey Larkins refuses to blame other special teams players for the Vols lackluster kick returns.



"I'll take most of the blame for it because I've been stuttering a little bit in the backfield," Larkins told WNOX. "I think I need to just take off running and just go get what I can get. I think it will be a whole lot better this week."



UT’s average kick return is 16.3 yards. That ranks 102nd in the country.

Intimidator: "He’s a very instinctive player," Saban said of Georgia defensive end David Pollack. "He’s got tremendous quickness and beats you to the punch a lot. He may have even intimidated our players a little but because of his quickness.



"Compared to last year I think he’s playing fantastic football right now."

Tube talk: UT head coach Phillip Fulmer said there are pros and cons to delays associated with television coverage.



"It does affect the flow," Fulmer said. "Sometimes it just seems like it is forever between plays. It probably does help the players particularly in the early games with the heat?we take a long time to play the game it seems like."



Fulmer said, from a play-calling standpoint, extra time can be a benefit unless the delay allows the opponent to adjust.

Bling Bling: Georgia wideout Reggie Brown’s 2003 SEC Championship ring has reappeared on the EBay auction website. Nine Georgia players were disciplined for selling their rings before the 2003 season.



It is believed someone other than Brown is reselling the ring. The current bid is just over $2,000.

More Vols: UT senior wide receiver Tony Brown has 987 career receiving yards. He is second on the team in catches (10) and third in receiving yardage (134)?Seven different Vol receivers have a touchdown reception?Fulmer said freshman Ramon Foster has made significant progress this season?UT spent over 40 minutes on special teams to begin practice Wednesday and Thursday.