Tennessee cornerback Jason Allen was talking with Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley by telephone earlier in the week.

It was a friendly conversation about football and their roles in Saturday's UT-Georgia game in Neyland Stadium.

"We just talked about respect we have for one another on and off the field, and what he brings to the table," Allen says. "I watched film on him (Monday) and he was telling me the same thing, he watched film on our defense. We just compliment each other."

Allen, of Muscle Shoals, Ala., has known Shockley, of College Park, Ga., since their high school playing days when they went to football camps together.

They often played on the same team during camps. They struck up a friendship that has lasted through the years.

While Allen has been a mainstay in the Vols' secondary for three years - he is starting for the third season -- Shockley waited four years for a starting role.

"It's something I told D.J. (Monday) night," Allen said. "Him being a friend, I kind of wish he had a little more time, more than a year, to show what he's capable of doing. D.J.'s been very patient to show his talent, show what he's capable of doing.

"I wish him the best of luck, but this week I'm getting ready to play against him, so all that right there is pretty much out the window right now."

Shockley has thrown for 959 yards and eight touchdowns with only two interceptions this season, but will be facing his toughest defense of the year.

He has engineered victories over Boise State, South Carolina, Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State.

Allen and his teammates have Shockley in their sights.

"I believe the biggest thing (strength of Georgia's offense), it starts with D.J.," Allen said. "He's the leader of the football team, the quarterback.

"He can run with the ball, he can throw the ball deep, he's got a talented group of young wide receivers, a talented running back, four good running backs that could play anywhere in the SEC and start, so they can rotate those guys and keep hem fresh and try to run the ball."

Allen and Shockley will remain friends after the game, but they will be all business for a few hours Saturday.

"We're just going to go out and compete, and like I say, once we get ready to play them, all that right there goes out the window," Allen said.