As Tennessee's losing streak reached four games and six weeks, you probably began to wonder: What would it take for the Vols to win a game?

You got your answer Saturday afternoon at Neyland Stadium.

Give them the home-field advantage.

Give them a three-touchdown underdog for an opponent.

Give them an opponent so injury-depleted that it's down to its fourth option at quarterback. And the fourth option is a converted wide receiver.

Make sure the three-touchdown underdog's best player takes the day off.

And put quarterback Erik Ainge on the bench.

UT's 20-16 victory over Memphis was as simple as that. Simple, but not easy.

Nothing comes easy for this UT team, which was just good enough to improve its record to 4-5 but certainly bad enough to remind you why it's only a few plays away from being 1-8.

Imagine how this game might have gone had Memphis star running back DeAngelo Williams been 100 percent healthy and on the field for every offensive snap.

Imagine how this game might have gone if UT had been stubborn enough to stick with Ainge at quarterback.

The Vols scrapped their long-term quarterback plan in the early minutes of the second quarter with Memphis leading 13-0. They put a hold on Ainge's development and tried to get a grip on a game that was slipping away.

At that crucial point, Ainge was agonizingly close to three interceptions. His first pass was almost intercepted. His third pass was intercepted. So was his fourth pass, but the interception was nullified by a penalty.

UT's braintrust added up the interceptions and near interceptions, then combined them with Memphis' 13 points and quickly concluded: "Rick, you the man."

He has been told that before. But no matter how many times he hears it - no matter how many times his coaches give him the job and take it away - he comes running.

Clausen saved UT's homecoming, just as he saved the LSU game two months ago when Ainge's most disastrous pass of the season put the Vols down 21-0 with little more than a half to play. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Oh, one more thing: He didn't throw an interception.

Afterwards, Fulmer said that Clausen had regained the starting job. Of course, he didn't say for how long.

Someone better in math probably could tell you how many times Clausen has won and lost the starting quarterback job. But here's some math I can handle: If not for Clausen, UT likely would be 2-7 and maybe 1-8.

"Erik has got to understand to take care of the football," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "That's a prize possession. There's a lot of people that football means a lot to."

Isn't that a speech for Peewee football? Shouldn't a second-year college quarterback have figured that out by now? Yet Ainge throws the ball as though angels have his back.

The best thing UT can do for Ainge is shut him down. The best thing it can do for its offense is play Clausen against Vanderbilt, Kentucky and - if it's lucky - whoever it draws in a bowl game.

For all of Ainge's struggles this season, you can't argue that he has talent. He still has the quick release and strong arm that he first demonstrated in Neyland Stadium as a freshman. But his football I. Q. is dropping.

The most important and challenging job for UT's next offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach - David Cutcliffe, are you listening? - isn't calling plays. It's turning Ainge's potential into production.

That's a job for another season.

This team can still qualify for a lower-echelon bowl game. It also could finish last in the SEC East.

The Vols know they can beat Vanderbilt and Kentucky with Clausen. They know they can win a bowl game with him. They know because they did it last year.

And despite all their uncertainty about starting quarterbacks, they know who their closer is. Clausen reminded them again Saturday.

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