How about we start out by ranking the SEC football teams? It's an idea I had at the start of this year, and hoped to get some fans' input. Here's how I have them ranked — feel free to write back with your choices:

• 1. Alabama
  
  
• 2. Georgia
  
  
• 3. Auburn
  
  
• 4. Florida
  
  
• 5. Tennessee
  
  
• 6. LSU
  
  
• 7. South Carolina
  
  
• 8. Vanderbilt
  
  
• 9. Arkansas
  
  
• 10. Mississippi St.
  
  
• 11. Ole Miss
  
  
• 12. Kentucky

Looking at that, the bowls could fall like this?

Alabama and Georgia to the BCS (I don't think Georgia loses until the SEC title game)

Auburn to the Citrus Bowl

Florida to the Outback Bowl

LSU to the Cotton (UT was there last year)

S. Carolina to the Peach Bowl (Vols have been there a couple times, and the Gamecocks travel better.)

Tennessee to the, gasp, Music City or Independence Bowl. Hats off to Phil Steele's magazine. He was the only one to predict this free fall.

I sure hope I'm wrong. I get to travel to the bowl site, and I like sunny, warm weather better than Shreveport or Nashville in December.

PERSPECTIVE: So how bad are things at Tennessee?

I'm wondering.

On the one hand, I see how with a couple of different decisions and some sharper execution, this team could be 5-0.

On the other hand, the Philadelphia Eagles are pretty good, too, and they're 3-2.

I guess my point is, it's not as bad as it seems, but it could (and should) be better. At the least, the Vols should be 4-1.

I'm like everyone else in that I have my theories and opinions on what should take place from here on out.

First off, I'm in the "start Erik Ainge now'' camp.

You've got an off week, and you've seen that your current system with Clausen has produced little success. You're out of the SEC East race, and Ainge is a sophomore and Clausen a senior.

This is a tough call for me, because I know the Clausen family well and I know how the Clausen family competes. These guys never give up and they're the type you'd pick to go to war with you. Put talent around the Clausens, and they'll deliver big wins with the right support.

That said, Rick is just a few bullets shy of being able to help this particular offense out this season, under these circumstances.

The plan was that he could read the defenses, make the offensive line checks and distribute the ball to playmakers.

Rick has held up his end of the bargain for the most part, but the Vols' supposed playmakers haven't.

Because of that, UT needs to make a change. Go to the I-Formation, run first, pass second. Play physical, run play-action, quit trying to out-smart everyone, and throw the ball deep to stretch the defense.

Everyone would agree that 1998 and 2004 were two of Phillip Fulmer's best coaching jobs, right?

What do they have in common? First-year quarterbacks, and thus, simplicity.

Now, 1997 and 2001 were special years, too. Peyton Manning, Joey Kent, Marcus Nash and Jamal Lewis in '97. Casey Clausen, Jason Witten, Kelley Washington, Donte Stallworth, Travis Stephens and Eric Parker in '01.

Oh, and '97 and '01 had some big-time defensive talent, too.

But neither '97 or '01 produced a national title with all that talent playing the "Tennessee System'' we currently see Rick Clausen running. What does that tell you?

And then '98 and '04? Simple. Basic. Not as much talent. Yet lots of wins.

C'mon Phillip Fulmer, go back to what you believe in. Did we ever think we'd see the day when the Big Orange ranked 100th in the nation in rushing? Egads!

Point number two involves the coaching philosophies over there.

Look at the defense. Do you see Larry Slade rotating 6 or 7 defensive backs? They run as much as the receivers. So why does UT insist on running all these receivers in and out — even after they drop passes or blow routes? Why are we seeing a freshman placed in a pivotal situation?

Why is there so much chest-bumping and hand clapping for the offense when they are sucking it up? You don't see John Chavis cheerleading, and yet he's the most respected coach on the staff.

C'mon offensive coaches, toughen up and treat these guys like men — not boys — and you might get some mental toughness in return.

Point number three involves the call for the coaches' heads.

This is a misguided reach. Truth is, what Tennessee offers in continuity is a rarity, and should be cherished. Recruits pay attention to that sort of thing. So do NCAA enforcement officers.

I remember covering Alabama and watching the transition from Gene Stallings to Mike DuBose to Dennis Franchione. The Tide lost what they were all about leaving their family. It hurt from the top down. Look at the Tide's success now — and who's in charge? A former Bama guy I said was a candidate for the job way back in '97 — Mike Shula.

Watching the UT secondary's development this year, hopefully the fools that ripped Larry Slade will learn a lesson. The guy can coach. There's a reason Chavis said "if Slade goes, I go.'' As long as John Chavis is around, you can count on the defense.

Look back at the raises doled out last summer. Now think ahead to what UT's administration needs to do this summer. Pay Chavis and his staff well, or take your chances.

As for the offensive coaches, they may understand the system too well. They get it?but the kids don't.

It's great to tell recruits you run an NFL system. But with only 20 hours to prepare each week, is it too much for the student-athletes to handle? Too many checks and audibles can lead to confusion. Remember, all it takes is for one guy to break down for a play to fail.

And, can people get off Jimmy Ray Stephens? The pass protection has been very good considering the quarterbacks' lack of mobility and the receivers inability to get open, and there has been plenty of room for backs to break occasion big runs. I wouldn't be surprised if Stephens said "enough,'' and hit the road. That would not be a good thing. He's a smart, proven coach.

If you want to look at the run game, it's time to face up to the fact that Gerald Riggs isn't Travis Henry, Jamal Lewis or even Travis Stephens. In fairness to G-Riggs, it's awful hard to run out of the shotgun. Cory Anderson's talents are going to waste. The guy is an NFL back if he keeps his head screwed on tight.

The Vols needs a franchise quarterback pulling the trigger, and a stud running back who can go the distance and make the last guy miss. Simple as that.

Maybe Ainge or Jonathan Crompton is the answer at quarterback. Maybe LeMarcus Coker is the future dynamo in the backfield. For now, we'll watch as UT scrambles to get it right in the next three big games with Bama, South Carolina and Notre Dame on deck.

My guess is Tennessee will finish with one more loss in the regular season.

Then it's up to Mike Hamilton to sell the Vols to a decent bowl. Don't hold your breath.

BASKETBALL BEGINS: One thing was clear at UT basketball media day Tuesday: The players believe.

Now, that may not translate to an NCAA, or NIT bid. But at least there's a system in place.

How long can Bruce Pearl stay this energetic and enthusiastic? Will the fans give him a good push?

Perhaps the fans who decline to go to a bowl game will put there money into basketball season tickets. If nothing else, Pearl's system promises excitement, though maybe not wins.

Word is that Wayne Chism is better than any of the current Vols in the front court. That didn't come from a UT coach — it came from a current UT player, off the record, of course.

Marques Johnson is the real deal, too. And if the Vols get Duke Crews? You could be talking about an NCAA berth — next year.

HE'S AT IT AGAIN: A short return to football.

Guess who's back to taking potshots (in a roundabout way) at Tennessee again?

See who South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier omitted during these comments on the SEC Teleconference Wednesday:

" I know that we are not near Alabama, Auburn or Georgia. They really know how to play the game. They are tough and physical and can play fast. We have some players on our team that could play for them. Hopefully some day we can get there. We have to recruit and if we can get to that level with those guys we should be able to play with them."

Your questions will be in next week's edition. I'm too busy answering and posing my own questions right now!