If it seems like every game has become a "must-win'' game for Tennessee, it's because that's the case.

At least, until the Vols lose.

UT's hopes for an SEC Championship are on the line again Saturday when Georgia comes to town.

The Bulldogs bring a top-notch defense that features fast, agile ends, heavy tackles, an athletic linebacking corps and an experience secondary.

Exactly how UT can move the ball on Georgia is anyone's guess.

Last season, a decent play-action game and some well-aimed Erik Ainge darts did the trick.

Of course, it helped that the Vols' defense was stifling against David Greene & Company.

The Bulldogs' offense has a line that has more than 120 combined starts, a dual-threat quarterback in D.J. Shockley and some strong running backs.

If there's an edge to be had in special teams, it would go to Georgia.

So, you might be wondering, why are the Vols a three-point favorite?

It's a good question — I wondered that myself when I saw the line.

My guess is that Tennessee's defense is the reason.

The Vols will look to be all over Shockley. Two key Georgia weaknesses are at receiver, where the Bulldogs are young, and Shockley's big-game experience.

Perhaps this will be a repeat of the 1998 contest, when Al Wilson got into the head of then Georgia QB Quincy Carter.

Wilson's intimidation carried over into the offense, and the Vols out-physicaled the favored Bulldogs.

Shockley leads the SEC in pass efficiency and Georgia ranks No. 1 in the league in total offense, but some indicators suggest Shockley might lack the poise it takes to win a nationally televised game on the road.

Those indicatorrs are:

* Georgia's Red Zone offense has not been overly impressive, as the Bulldogs have eight touchdowns in 18 trips. UT, meanwhile, has nine TDs in 15 trips — against considerably better competition.

* The Bulldogs are just 34 percent on third-down conversions, which ranks eighth in the SEC. UT is 44.3 percent on third downs.

* Then there's that 17-15 Georgia win over South Carolina, during which Shockley struggled.

* Finally, for those who believe history is the best indicator, it's worth noting Tennessee has never lost three in a row to Georgia at Neyland Stadium.

So that's enough for me.

Prediction: Tennessee 16, Georgia 15.

Q: I have noticed that you are contributing fewer football stories this season than in previous years. I have always enjoyed your insights and writing style and would like to see more football columns from you again. Are you now going to be more focused on basketball reporting? Best wishes and thanks for the excellent work that you do to keep us out of state Vol fans informed!

murrell_w@yahoo.com

GRIFF: Thanks for the compliments and keeping up with me. My football responsibilities are the Report Card, Monday practice, Saturday GameDay notebook and Saturday SEC Football previews. I no longer do the breaking news (unless I have a unique source) for football, but with my 15 years of football writing experience and activities with the national football writers organization, I serve as the Football Writers of America Association Vice President.

I'm in charge of the day-to-day basketball beat writer duties, here, and I've been doing UT softball the past three years (I coached my daughter's fastpitch travel team, so I was learning a ton from the Weeklys while covering a rising power).

I also do six or seven NASCAR events each year and write columns. I'm one of less than 100 "Hard Card'' members of the press corps, as I've been covering motorsports for 13 years.

Needless to say, I stay pretty busy! If you have a question about any of those things I cover, feel free to write in.

Q: Griff, both this year and last year we heard how David Yancey was doing well and would see playing time. He always makes positive yards when he gets the ball. We have seen several articles talking about the need for depth at tailback, especially with Hardesty going down last weekend, yet Yancey's name is not mentioned at all as a possibility. Are the coaches throwing his name out there as motivation to the others? Last year Trooper mentioned him as a possible starter before the season, and this year they had him listed at No. 2 early on. Why aren't we seeing more of him?

bedwards@privatelabelsourcing.com

GRIFF: Yancey is No. 3 for this Saturday's game with Georgia, and will probably stay there until LaMarcus Coker shows the coaches he's ready to play.

Yancey is a great practice player, and an even better person. He's also a good football player — certainly worthy of a scholarship, as he's also a model student.

I'm very impressed with this young man, regardless of his playing time. Yancey is one of those players you can't help but root for — on and off the field.

As for why he's not playing more, I think the coaches feel Gerald Riggs and Arian Foster have more upside and potential. Hopefully Yancey will get a fair share of carries.

Q: What's the status of Ja'Kouri Williams?

GRIFF: On the team and looking to break into the rotation for some playing time. I think he's kind of a Derrick Tinsley/slash type in training. He has good speed and skills. We could see more of him on special teams, too.

Q: According to this quote it sure seems that Weems will be a HOG!

"I really like their (Arkansas') players and coaches and know they are going to have a great team," Weems said. "I know that when — I mean if — I go there they are going to be winning and that's important to me."

"I liked their campus and a lot about Tennessee, but I don't think they have as good a players right now," Weems said. "One thing I really have to think about is how the team is going to be my two years there. I do really like Coach Edgar."

Weems was recently named the No. 1 JUCO prospect in AMERICA!

Griff ... what are your thoughts on this?

MJohnson@global.onco.com

GRIFF: I guess I'd wonder where those quotes came from. Not saying they're not legit, but it seems recruits often tailor their answers to the media representatives they're talking with. At least, that's been my experience.

Arkansas probably does have better younger players on campus than Tennessee right now. On the one hand that helps the Razorbacks, because it indicates they could win sooner. On the other, it helps the Vols, because it means a more immediate opportunity for Weems to start.

Q: Hi Griff, What is your perspective on why Tennessee's offense is struggling. A good line, great receivers, good running back ... according to the coaching staff, no problem at QB. "It's not a problem we have two that can play.'' I look at them and I don't get it either. The running game and the passing game are neither one producing. I could get being weak in one area, I know they have played a couple of good defenses, but they have also played two mediocre ones. They continue to sputter, and don't ever seem to change anything. What is wrong?

CurtisHope@ohdnld.com

GRIFF: Wow, where to begin?

Obviously, the quarterback situation isn't what the coaches had hoped. Erik Ainge does have more upside, but Rick Clausen has clearly out-played him and possesses great leadership traits.

The receivers have been disappointing, but I think they're victim to the QB shuffle. That, and a lot of the Vols' offense is predicate on "option'' routes, where the QB and WR have to be on the same page reading the defense. Different QBs make different decisions.

The starting offensive line has yet to play a game together, and the receivers have been surprisingly inconsistent. Robert Meachem and C.J. Fayton — the two biggest threats this season — are banged up heading into the Georgia game.

I'd like to see UT return to power football and play-action passes. The defense is good enough to do that, and that's how the Vols won their national title.

Q: So far you have missed your projections about the Vols talent and coaching. If UT loses to LSU, there are several teams left on the schedule we could easily lost to also, Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame and, God help us, Vandy. If UT ends up with a 7-4 or 6-5, even a 8-3. Does this spell the end of the incompetent twins — Fulmer and Sanders, oh yeah, I forgot — Caldwell.

SonnyBeckham@metaldyne.com

GRIFF: Well, I predicted a two-loss season — I'm still in the ballpark for that. I am surprised the offense hasn't clicked yet, but when you look at the quarterback shuffle and offensive line injuries, and add in the receiver drops and special teams meltdown against Florida ... well, UT is probably fortunate to have one less heading into the Georgia game.

A win over the Bulldogs would keep the Vols on schedule. A loss would put them on the ropes.

I don't think any coaches' jobs are in jeopardy — at this point.