Maybe the reason Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis didn't spend much time visiting with the media this fall was because he was too busy watching film of Alabama-Birmingham.

"They've absolutely got my attention,'' Chavis said, "and if you saw as much film of them as I have, they'd have your attention, too.''

Chavis said he expects his defense to be challenged when the Blazers roll into Neyland Stadium for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday, and the numbers back him up.

UAB returns eight starters from an offensive unit that ranked 12th in the nation in passing efficiency, 23rd in scoring (31 points a game) and 33rd in total offense (403 yards a game).

The Blazers' quarterback, 6-foot-1, 240-pound senior Darrell Hackney, is one of 22 candidates for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

"He can have three guys on him and still release the ball,'' UT cornerback Jason Allen said. "I've seen him throw the ball 60 or 70 yards off one foot; that gets your attention.''

Chavis said Roshaun Fellows will start at cornerback opposite Jason Allen, as Jonathan Wade remains day-to-day with a hip flexor. Antwan Stewart and Jonathan Hefney start at the safety positions.

"I get to roam back there and do what I feel,'' said Hefney, who started at cornerback last season. "I think I'll make a lot of plays.''

The starting front seven remains as projected, with three seniors (Kevin Simon, Jason Mitchell and Omar Gaither) at linebacker and three seniors (Parys Haralson, Jesse Mahelona, and Jason Hall) and junior Justin Harrell across the front.

Chavis said junior Turk McBride is a candidate to unseat one of the defensive line starters down the road.

"We look at Turk like he's a starter, and he may end up being the best of 'em,'' Chavis said. "But he's coming back from (wrist) surgery, and he's only had 25 or 30 live snaps this fall. It doesn't matter who starts, really. They'll all play the same amount up front.''

Chavis is eager to see how his retooled secondary will play.

"Considering we haven't covered anyone in 10 years, as it's been written, we should be worried,'' Chavis said. "UAB beat Baylor 56-14 last year and scored 35 points on a Joe Lee Dunn defense in Memphis. They've got some talented people.''

The Blazers are known for their creativity on offense. The last time UT played UAB, in 1998, the Blazers mixed in option via the wishbone. Chavis said they're likely to run some option again, along with four wide receiver sets and two tight end sets.

Vols' coach Phillip Fulmer saw to it the entire team didn't overlook anything in Monday's practice.

"Everybody is through with camp and seriously into game preparation mode,'' Fulmer said. "Typically, Monday's we start with goal line, short-yardage work, and we had good work with that and the kicking game.''

Fulmer said he reminded his team that UAB beat Mississippi State 27-13 last season, played Georgia to 16-13 in 2003 and beat Nick Saban's LSU Tigers 13-10 in 2000.

"I don't think (overlooking UAB) is the case,'' Fulmer said. "Florida is a long ways away.''

Fulmer said Erik Ainge got the majority of snaps at quarterback, though he reiterated Rick Clausen also will play. Fulmer said the quarterback substitution pattern "hasn't been discussed yet.''

Whoever is under center should have a field day: UAB ranked 111th in the nation in passing defense and lost all three starting linebackers.