LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Tennessee and Kentucky were putting the finishing blotches on one of the worst SEC games you will ever see when the Wildcat mascot ran into a goal post, embraced it, then fell over backward.

Was he merely amusing himself? I don't think so. Instead, I saw a metaphor in his madness, as though he were acting out a Kentucky fantasy that would never turn to reality.

A few hours earlier, Kentucky talk-show callers were debating the merits of tearing down the goal posts in celebration.

The first victory over UT in 21 years would warrant such a display of enthusiasm, one caller said.

Another caller pointed out the folly in celebrating a victory over a losing team.

A prudent talk-show co-host then lectured callers of the inherent danger in tearing down goal posts. Another party pooper reminded listeners that UT was a nine-point favorite.

Never mind the betting line. Or that UT had won 21 consecutive games in the series. Or that Kentucky had lost seven of its first 10 games.

The Vols had stumbled so often and tumbled so low, their message had been delivered loud and clear: "We can lose to anybody."

And they probably would have lost to anybody else in the SEC on Saturday.

They lost three fumbles. They were penalized 10 times for 92 yards, and two of those penalties nullified tailback Arian Foster touchdowns. They gave Kentucky a safety on what has become a signature play for quarterback Erik Ainge.

They reminded you why they're 5-6, not bowl eligible and a consensus choice as the biggest disappointment in college football. But for all their disappointment, all their ineptitude, they haven't gone belly-up.

A team that once aspired to be the best in college football was still sufficiently inspired to prove it wasn't the worst team in the SEC East. It did so -- in spectacular fashion by this team's standards -- with a 27-8 victory over Kentucky, which demonstrated early and often it wasn't up to this battle for fifth in the East.

Whatever opportunity UT threw its way, Kentucky threw it back. Quarterback Curtis Pulley, subbing for injured starter Andre' Woodson, even one-upped Ainge in turnovers, throwing three interceptions -- to Ainge's two lost fumbles.

But let's not dwell on Kentucky's heavy hand in the outcome. In a UT season so lacking in highlights, a skillful editor could do wonders with the Kentucky video. In fact, there were enough highlights for the entire season.

Show the Foster runs but omit the yellow flags. Show the two Ainge touchdown passes but not the throw for a safety or the fumbles. Show defensive tackle Justin Harrell batting a pass off Pulley's head, then catching the deflected pass and returning it for a touchdown. But don't bother mentioning that's Pulley is an inexperienced, second-string quarterback on the 102nd best offense in the country.

When you're 5-6, you take your highlights where you can get them. And you take a victory -- any victory -- at face value.

The most encouraging aspect of the game from a UT perspective might have been Ainge's first-half play. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns.

Ainge's second-half play wasn't as encouraging. He completed two of six passes, fumbled the ball over to Kentucky on a quarterback sneak and gave up a safety when he was called for intentional grounding.

His careless play was reminiscent of the disastrous interception he threw from his end zone against LSU, and the near interception that was ruled intentional grounding against Notre Dame.

Carelessness aside, Ainge threw the ball with more accuracy than he has all season. That should at least bolster his confidence heading into the off-season.

His teammates can take a couple of positive things from this game as well.

One, it's over. Two, look who's on a winning streak.