Phillip Fulmer's philosophy on which quarterback to play hasn't changed since last week. The names have flip-flopped again, though.

"I'll say the same thing I said last week,'' Fulmer said Sunday night. "I'll play whoever gives us the best chance to win these games, at any position.''

A week ago, Fulmer thought Erik Ainge gave the Vols the best chance to beat Memphis.

Now he thinks Rick Clausen has the best chance to beat Vanderbilt on Saturday in a 12:30 p.m. SEC kickoff at Neyland Stadium (TV: WVLT).

Clausen will get the start against Vandy (4-6, 2-5 SEC), based on outplaying Ainge in a 20-16 win over Memphis.

Given Ainge's fourth-quarter mistakes at Notre Dame and his first-quarter jitters against Memphis, this time it was an easy call.

Tennessee (4-5, 2-4) is trying to get bowl eligible by winning its final two games, a quest that Fulmer said overshadows any consideration for getting Ainge more experience for next season.

Clausen is a fifth-year senior. Ainge is a sophomore who will be competing with redshirt freshman Jonathan Crompton for the starting job in 2006.

"Our second-team quarterback gets about half the practice snaps, so (Ainge) will get plenty of work and, hopefully, will continue with a good attitude,'' Fulmer said. "That's where we are.

"The focus is winning these next two ballgames and hopefully a third one and sending these seniors out of here with some respectability.''

Ainge threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame. Against Memphis, he threw one interception and had a second one erased by a penalty on Memphis.

"On the first one he doesn't get his arm in it like you'd like to and the underthrow allowed the interception,'' Fulmer said. "The second one he should have thrown that ball out of bounds and played the next down.

"We've got to get that stressed to him. Use the system and let it work for you.''

So Clausen is back in the same position he was last year when Ainge got hurt -- trying to lead the Vols to wins over Vanderbilt and Kentucky.

Job Search: Fulmer said he's spending some time on the vacant offensive coordinator position, but not much, due to the demands of the season.

"I am researching it when I have the time and we do have some interest from some folks,'' he said. "But I haven't had a lot of time (to spend) searching for that person yet.''

Fulmer said he would prefer to have a new coordinator in place for a possible bowl game, but that depends on a number of variables.

"I've got to let that play out,'' he said. "It depends on their season and a lot of things.''

David Cutcliffe is believed to be the leading candidate. He is unemployed, but has expressed interest in pursuing a head-coaching job if a suitable one becomes available.

Vandy Series: UT leads the Vandy series 67-26-5. The Vols have won the past 22 since the Commodores' 1982 victory.

Saturday's game will be a split Jefferson Pilot telecast. Part of the region will see Kentucky and Georgia.

Going For Four: Arian Foster's three-game streak of 100-plus-yard rushing games is the first by a UT freshman in his first three starts since Chuck Webb in 1989. Guess what Webb did in his fourth start? He set a school single-game record with 294 yards against Ole Miss that still stands.

Webb added a fifth 100-yard game against Kentucky, but broke his streak when he missed the Vanderbilt game because of an injury. He then finished his freshman year with 250 yards in the Cotton Bowl win over Arkansas.

Numbers: Jason Hall ranks third in the SEC with 7.0 sacks. Parys Haralson is fourth with 6.5. ... The Vols lost their SEC lead in rushing defense to Alabama by the slimmest of margins, 89.8 to 90.2. ... The 94-yard scoring drive at the end of the first half against Memphis was the Vols' longest of the season. ... Vandy quarterback Jay Cutler leads the SEC in passing yards and total offense, but ranks eighth in pass efficiency (122.7), one notch behind Clausen (123.9). ... Omar Gaither forced a third fumble of the season Saturday, tying him for the lead in the SEC.

Injuries: Fulmer said no one got hurt enough against Memphis to put them out of Saturday's game. In addition, Turk McBride should be back in the defensive line.