Fulmer on expectations, 12th game, 12:30 p.m. kickoff

But this offseason, the dean of SEC football coaches has an intense -- almost edgy -- undertone that hasn't been so noticeable since 1999, the year after UT won the national championship. That was the last time the Vols faced such high expectations heading into a season.

Fulmer revealed his summer state of mind this week with the 2005 season fast approaching.

Q: Many preseason magazines project UT to win the SEC. Thoughts on that?

Fulmer: Expectations are always high at Tennessee, they are just in the newspapers and magazines this year. We've been there before, and I've told our team they have to handle success and adversity. There are a lot of things to work on to be a good team. We have a really tough schedule this year. We don't have any wiggle room.

Q: What are your feelings about recent off-field discipline issues you've faced?

Fulmer: You're seeing different players around the country that are academic issues, or off-field issues, and we've had our own and we're working to resolve them. That's part of managing a football team; you're working the game right now.

We've done well at managing things in the past. People want to talk about the one or two players you lose, but it's also important to talk about the large percentage you save that turn the corner from a maturity standpoint.

Q: Are you planning to go to Birmingham for SEC Media Days?

Fulmer: I don't think there's any reason I shouldn't go. I look forward to going there with my players. Everyone has a full understanding of what happened last year. We'll go down there and look forward to a nice day with the media.

Q: UT plays UAB at 12:30 p.m. in the season opener on Saturday Sept. 3. Thoughts on early Saturday, Sunday night and Thursday night games?

Fulmer: I thought last year (Sunday, vs. UNLV) was a special opportunity to bring our lettermen back and end up having a great scene with Boomsday and wearing the throwback jerseys. But I'm like (UT athletic director) Mike (Hamilton), we have a lot of very loyal fans, and when you have to change a time you can't help it because of television. It interrupts a lot of people's plans. I'm a traditionalist. I'm not always happy about 12:30 or 9 o'clock games. But we'll play and fulfill our obligation to TV. But we're also sensitive to our fans and players' schedule. You play an away game like we did last year at Ole Miss, and then you have to travel late to get back, and it's hard on everybody.

Q: What are your top issues on offense, defense and special teams heading into fall drills?

Fulmer: Offensively, coming together. We haven't had our offensive line intact because of injuries. We need to have the same production we had last season and better. The center position is a particular concern. But we have some guys who have played who can fill that role, but they have to do it on the field. Albert Toeaina has shown improvement with everything he's learned in the last year, and he needs to continue to do that -- that's big. Solidifying tight end is an issue and finding a backup out of our tailbacks can help us.

Defensively, the obvious is we have to have the chemistry we had in spring practice. We made a lot progress. We need to solidify depth at most positions. Our biggest concern is at safety. I think we'll be better at safety than at any time last year, but we're still not proven at those positions. We have a chance to be better.

We worked really hard on special teams in the spring, more than ever, on the return game. We need the attitude we took with special teams this spring to carry over. Our punter is young, and he has to be ready to take the challenge. He has a ton of ability. We have to find a holder.

Q: It's been reported your uniform will include black socks and shoes. True?

Fulmer: It's just fad-ish, as far as what's out there nowadays. The players have asked us to look at those things, so we're looking at it.

Q: Rules were passed in the offseason to add a 12th game to the schedule and institute instant replay. Your stance on those things?

Fulmer: I think the 12th game is a necessary part of where we are in college football, it's the cost of doing business and all the issue athletic directors face, such as Title IX and upgrading facilities. It was kind of a necessity that was going to come about. It's another opportunity to win or lose. We already have a tough conference and non-conference schedule. Some teams will upgrade, some will go the other way and schedule Division I-AA teams.

I think the replay will be fine. Officials I've talked to want to get it right, just like I want to get it right. I've absolutely looked at the Jumbotron (after controversial calls), and I've pointed it out a number times to officials.

Q: So what's left this summer?

Fulmer: We're working hard as a staff to get ready for the season. The coaches are looking forward to the calm before the storm and a little down time and vacations. But this is an ongoing challenge for us. Many times the challenges are in the offseason as well as the regular season. In our case, it's getting guys back that had surgeries. It's going to be crucial to our team that we're ready to play from a physical standpoint and that we handle the high expectations with focus and determination that a mature team should have.