What doesn't break you can only make you stronger.

So goes the early season thought of the day for the Tennessee football team.

The eighth-ranked Vols (3-1, 2-1 SEC) have survived a brutal September and early October.

Of late, they've prospered. They recovered from a disappointing 16-7 loss at Florida.

Against all odds, they rallied to beat LSU 30-27 in overtime in Baton Rouge. There was no emotional letdown against Ole Miss five days later.

"If it doesn't beat you up too bad, playing tougher teams helps you," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said on Tuesday.

If any team in the country qualifies going into week five, it's the Vols.

They can't even catch their breath.

Unbeaten Georgia, ranked No. 5 at 4-0, is the newest chapter in a scheduling nightmare.

The Bulldogs will be the third top-10-ranked team to cross paths with UT this season. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Neyland Stadium (TV: WVLT).

Here's the kicker. It's the Bulldogs who had an off week last Saturday. The same Georgia team yet to play a team ranked in the top 15 had an extra week to prepare for Tennessee.

The question: Who has the advantage?

Is it Tennessee, already tested under trying circumstances, or Georgia, fresh and seemingly prepared for its first test?

UT secondary coach Larry Slade thinks it's hard to beat character-building experiences the Vols have battled through.

"We're excited about how we've improved because of those big games," Slade said. "Experience. We love it. I'm looking at it as a positive.

"You go play in a big game versus Florida. Then you go play in another big game versus LSU. That's experience and there's no substitute for that."

Fulmer made a point of praising his team with regards to its handling of the early challenges.

It hasn't been easy.

Physically, the Vols have had their share of bumps and scrapes.

Quarterback Rick Clausen is a walking, talking bruise (shoulder, thigh, ankle, Achilles, dislocated fingers).

The offensive line expected to begin the season has yet to begin a game intact. Receivers are nicked and running back depth is an issue.

But they're still alive, and thanks to Alabama's victory against Florida last Saturday, very much in the picture for an SEC East title.

"I really appreciate how our team has shown it's physical toughness, mental toughness and emotional toughness," Fulmer said. "To put the LSU thing out of their mind and get ready for Ole Miss.

"They're going to have to continue to do that. We're certainly making sure we're conscious of the physical aspect of that, what it takes out of a team."

Tennessee senior cornerback Jason Allen made it clear he doesn't care where Georgia is ranked or how many top-10 teams the Vols have run into already.

"It's an attitude with how you approach the situation," he said. "I feel like we have the right attitude and mindset right now.

"We have a goal we're trying to reach and guys are fighting hard and competing."

It's not like anything comes easily in the SEC.

Receiver C.J. Fayton knows that after turning his ankle early against Ole Miss last Saturday.

"We've got to be prepared each week," Fayton said, still wearing a walking boot on his right foot. "We've gone through a lot and I feel like we've got one of the toughest schedules, if not the toughest schedule in the country.

"It just makes us work harder and prepare harder each week."

Amen, said running backs coach Trooper Taylor.

"It has been tough on all of us, but that's part of being in the SEC," he said. "The LSU game couldn't be controlled because that's Mother Nature.

"Physically, it would probably be better if we had some time off. But mentally, it helps you keep on top of your game."