The head football coach was asked who would be his starting quarterback next week.

"Whoever gives us the better chance to win," the coach answered in so many words.

That wasn't University of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer. That was South Carolina's Lou Holtz.

But it could have been Fulmer or LSU's Nick Saban for that matter. The question has rarely been a hotter topic in the SEC.

And the answer is decidedly easier for sports columnists than coaches. It's answered in seconds as the columnist's fingers fly across the keyboard.

Coaches might agonize over the same decision for hours. They consider team chemistry, seniority and maybe even promises made under recruiting duress.

All their agonizing and analyzing often only obscures the obvious.

For example, take UT. Freshman Erik Ainge should start ahead of Brent Schaeffer on Saturday against Louisiana Tech.

That doesn't mean Schaeffer has done anything wrong. It doesn't mean UT can't still shuffle the two talented freshmen in and out of the game. It just means that after coming off the bench in back-to-back games, Ainge deserves to start.

He earned the start in the second half Saturday night against Florida when he delivered a clutch performance worthy of UT lore. Playing from behind the most of the half, Ainge completed 13 of 20 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns as the Vols rallied to defeat Florida 30-28.

Watching him play with such poise and pass with such precision in only his second college game, you almost question what you're seeing. He can't be that good, can he?

So you remind yourself that Florida's secondary is full of first-year starters and its overall defense isn't the caliber of Auburn's, Georgia's or maybe even South Carolina's. Wait and see what he does under a fierce rush. Wait and see what he does on the road.

But don't bet on him suddenly becoming a clunker of a quarterback no matter whom or where he's playing. In two games, he already has made throws that many quarterbacks don't make in an entire career. He has been accurate rolling left and throwing right. He has demonstrated a strong arm and a nice touch.

I've said all that before. Maybe it's time to point out his weaknesses.

If you see any, let me know.

Randall or Russell?: UT's offense has succeeded whether Ainge or Schaeffer has been on the field. Two quarterbacks haven't been a win-win situation everywhere else.

Defending national champion LSU lost against Auburn and was lucky to win against Oregon State as its offense struggled in both games. Meanwhile, Saban continues to alternate two quarterbacks, senior Marcus Randall and redshirt freshman JaMarcus Russell, insisting that his team needs both to be successful.

From a more detached vantage point, the decision is obvious: If you have a fifth-year senior and a redshirt freshman playing at a similar level, who's more apt to improve?

You don't need a national-championship ring to answer that one.

Russell doesn't look as polished as either Ainge or Schaeffer, but he's a physical specimen with a powerful arm and great potential to improve. And he can improve faster by taking most of the snaps.

Pinkins Or Newton?: Holtz predicted in preseason that senior quarterback Dondrial Pinkins would shock people by the way he plays this season. He meant that in a good way.

Pinkins is big, strong, tough and experienced. He moves well for his size. He has improved somewhat over last year.

But he hasn't shocked anyone. And he has never had a game any better than his replacement had Saturday against South Florida when an injured Pinkins was unable to play.

Sophomore Syvelle Newton completed 13 of 23 passes for 324 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Sure, consider the competition. But also consider Pinkins' track record and how South Carolina struggled offensively a week earlier in a 20-16 loss to Georgia.

And consider how much Newton could improve with more playing time.

John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.