John Chavis has been coaching Tennessee's defense for the 17 seasons, including 11 as its defensive coordinator, and has never lost to Vanderbilt.

Chavis says he probably hasn't seen a better Vanderbilt offense than the one he faces Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

"They've got good talent all over the field," Chavis said. "They've got some people that are banged up and nicked up too, so it will be two banged-up teams playing each other, but I think the quarterback (Jay Cutler) makes them really, really special. Again, he's got a good offensive line and a good group of receivers, so I think by far it may be one of the best offenses we've seen from them."

Chavis will counter with one of the better defenses the Commodores have seen this year

The Vols are ranked third in the SEC in total defense and fourth in scoring defense.

Vanderbilt is second in total offense and second in scoring offense.

Senior quarterback Jay Cutler, projected as a first-round NFL pick, will test the Vols with his passing arm.

Cutler and the Commodores lead the SEC in passing offense, throwing for 282 yards per game, while the Vols are fifth in passing defense and third in pass efficiency defense.

"(Cutler's) obviously got a good grasp of the offense," Chavis said. "He knows where to go with the ball, he gets rid of it really well, probably as quick as anyone we've seen. I think you put all those things together, his talent, (and) it's obvious he's been coached well and he knows what to do with the football."

Cutler completed 22-of-33 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns in last year's 38-33 loss to the Vols.

He has a new target this season. True freshman Earl Bennett leads the Commodores with 65 catches for 709 yards and eight touchdowns.

Bennett caught 13 passes for 99 yards and a school-record five touchdowns in last Saturday's 48-43 loss to Kentucky. He had 16 catches for 204 yards and one touchdown in the 35-28 loss to South Carolina on Oct. 22.

"It looks like he has a chance to be a big-time receiver in the SEC and it looks like he's already stepped up to that level," Chavis said. "For a freshman I don't know when we've seen a freshman put on that kind of performance (five TDs in a game). He's played well for them al year but particularly here of late he's really come on."

Cutler set single-game school records for completions and attempts against Kentucky when he was 39-of-66 for 395 yards and no interceptions.

Saturday will be Cutler's last collegiate game, and Chavis knows the Vanderbilt quarterback will keep his secondary busy.

" I think Cutler's a guy that will play on Sunday," Chavis said. "I don't think there's any question about that. I think his talent there and he has a toughness about him too that is very impressive."