Tennessee is in control of the SEC East Division at the halfway point of the season.

What more could be asked of the youngest team in the conference heading into Saturday's game at Ole Miss?

Plenty, according to UT coach Phillip Fulmer.

"We've made progress,'' Fulmer said, "but there's still plenty of room to improve.''

The Vols are 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the SEC.

Fulmer likes the play of his offensive line in particular, as they've cut down on mental errors and penalties.

"And I'm really happy at fullback with Cory Anderson,'' Fulmer said. "That was a big concern coming into the year.''

Fulmer said he's pleased with his quarterback situation, and though he'd "like to get Brent Schaffer more involved,'' Fulmer said "that's got to be on him.''

Schaffer is as exciting as quarterbacks come, but the freshman has had a couple of fumbles, an interception, and had trouble getting the plays off on time against Georgia.

Fulmer said he was "disturbed'' by the big plays given up by his secondary early in the season, but feels the unit has learned how to minimize them.

"When you look at it, in the first four games it's like we've grown up a whole year,'' senior captain Kevin Burnett said.

Here's a review and ranking of how UT's units have played through the first half of this season:

No. 1 OFFENSIVE LINE

The offensive line has allowed just six sacks in five games. Last season at this point, Casey Clausen was sacked 13 times. UT's rushing for 204.8 yards per game; last year through five games, 151.4 per game. The difference isn't in the backfield -- it's up front.

"The whole key was staying healthy,'' offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens said. "This is as physical of a line as any I've had over the years.''

No. 2 LINEBACKERS

Even without playmaker Kevin Simon and tough guy Marvin Mitchell, the linebackers are a team strength.

Kevin Burnett has returned to his super sophomore form. Omar Gaither has proven to be as good of a tackler in big games as he has always been in scrimmages. Jason Mitchell is showing versatility playing his third spot in three years.

Jon Poe comes up big in goal line/short yardage situations, just as he was ready for Georgia's fake punt Daniel Brooks is the next in line to emerge.

No. 3 DEFENSIVE LINE

Who would have thought it? UT loses J.T. Mapu, Matt McGlothlin and Greg Jones, and the defensive line is good enough to help hold Cadillac Williams under 100 yards and sack David Greene four times in one game?

Parys Haralson hasn't "arrived'' yet, but he's on his way to being one of the nation's best. Justin Harrell, finally healthy, is fulfilling the promise UT saw in him two years ago, and Jesse Mahelona has been the biggest defensive addition. Jason Hall had a nice two-sack effort against the Bulldogs, too, and Turk McBride is more than just a contributor. The unit will get better when tackle Tony McDaniel steps up.

No. 4 RECEIVERS

Very few drops this season and less mental errors on the routes for receivers. Randy Sanders believes competition leads the players to lift their level of play.

Chris Hannon leads the unit with 13 catches, but Bret Smith has hurt opponents most with a team-high 175-yards and four touchdowns. Jayson Swain is as solid as they come over the middle. C.J. Fayton has been a pleasant surprise. Tony Brown and Derrick Tinsley have had clutch receptions. Robert Meachem, perhaps the most talented of the bunch, hasn't gotten involved enough. Once he finds his groove, this group will reach another level. Tight ends have been solid.

No. 5 QUARTERBACKS

Freshman Erik Ainge shows uncanny poise along with the ability to improvise. Ainge is more athletic than expected and has been sacked only once. He also has an NFL arm. Schaeffer gave fans a peak of his upside against UNLV and with a highlight run against Florida. He's still getting a feel for hanging in the pocket.

No. 6 RUNNING BACKS

The longest run this season by a running back this season is 37 yards, and they've had trouble with fumbles.

Cedric Houston and Gerald Riggs are above average on a national scale, but in each game it appeared opposing backs were more talented.

Anderson has been a giant plus with his lead blocking and pass-catching abilities. Still waiting to see more of freshman David Holbert, who has a big upside. The most talented runner in the group may be Arian Foster, who will redshirt.

No. 7 SECONDARY

The secondary is coming off their best game, but still not ready for the amount of press-man coverage the Vols' like to play. Jason Allen is playing like an all-star, second in the SEC in tackles. Tackling from the rest of this unit must improve. The Vols' nickel and dime packages are unproven and inexperienced and could be exposed.

Kudos for Larry Slade's teaching of zone coverage, which was key in the win over Georgia.

No. 8 SPECIAL TEAMS

Even with the best punter in the nation, the Vols' special teams units rank last on the team. The punt return unit ranks 95th in the nation, and the kick return unit is 91st. Kick coverage has been shaky. Kicker James Wilhoit hit a clutch field goal to beat Florida, but he's only 4-of-9 on the season.