Call it a coincidence. Call it a sign.

David Cutcliffe was a Thanksgiving Day visitor to Tennessee football practice Thursday morning.

It was the first time since the Vols' national championship season in 1998 that Cutcliffe was present for UT's ceremonial "last tackle."

In '98, Cutcliffe was ending his run as Tennessee's offensive coordinator and about to embark on his career as Ole Miss head coach.

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said there wasn't anything to read into the visit, but Cutcliffe could be named UT's offensive coordinator as early as next week barring any last-minute snags.

"He's just out here watching practice," Fulmer said. "He has been out here several times this year and this is a day where quite a few people come by."

Cutcliffe stood off to the side, talking to defensive coordinator John Chavis and defensive tackles coach Dan Brooks, while 23 seniors ran the traditional gauntlet for their "last tackle" on the UT practice field.

"The last tackle is a tradition that has been around a long, long time," Fulmer said. "It's a way to honor the seniors and say a few words about them.

"It's a fun thing, but it's also a serious thing. You get to say some special things and hug their necks one more time."

Cutcliffe and Fulmer also shared a quick hug and handshake at the end of practice.

Fulmer said no announcement would be made on the offensive coordinator position prior to UT's 12:30 p.m. Saturday game at Kentucky (3-7, 2-5 SEC).

Randy Sanders, who replaced Cutcliffe for the '98 national championship victory against Florida State, resigned his coordinator position on Nov. 1.

The Vols (4-6, 2-5) continue to look for a spark going into their season-finale ranked No. 96 in the NCAA in total offense (321.8) and No. 106 in scoring offense (17.8).

Ainge Will Start: Sophomore quarterback Erik Ainge will take the first snap against the Wildcats.

Senior Rick Clausen has been slowed by a left knee sprain all week, but has made progress.

"Erik will be the quarterback," Fulmer said. "We really limited Rick today from doing anything.

"We just didn't want him to get anymore sore, but he'll be available and we'll go from there."

Clausen did participate in the "last tackle" drill, but he basically gave the Kentucky-clad blocking dummy a shoulder bump.

Turnover Woes: Take a look at the NCAA statistics and you'll see Tennessee and Kentucky tied at No. 104 in turnover margin.

Tennessee is at minus-8 for the season 24 turnovers on offense and 16 turnovers forced on defense. The Vols have lost 11 fumbles and had 13 interceptions.

Kentucky is at minus-8 with 21 turnovers and 13 forced turnovers.

"On offense, they've had one problem we share in common and that's turnovers and maybe a lack of takeaways," Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said of the Vols.

"Offensively, I think they're an outstanding running team."

It's the season-long shuffling of quarterbacks where Brooks thinks the Vols have faced their biggest challenges.

"They've been in an out with the quarterback position," he said. "Both quarterbacks have played well at times and not well at times.

"I think that has probably been the big bugaboo, is the consistent performance at the quarterback position for Tennessee this year."

Finlayson Scholar: Senior tight end Jake Finlayson was the star of the "last tackle" with a full-out sprint diving hit. He's also the Vols' scholar athlete of the week.

"The fact that he has played at this level and will earn a rigorous degree in civil engineering shows a total commitment both on and off the field," said Dan Carlson, educational director in the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center.