Jayson Swain got over his "bug" in time to return to the Tennessee practice field on Wednesday.

It was just a little cold that held him out earlier this week.

The problem is, Tennessee's offense has more than a "little cold." They're ranked 98th in the country in scoring and 101st in rushing.

To a man, Vols' offensive players say they're close - close to finding a cure, finding that rhythm.

Now comes a trip to No. 5-ranked Alabama at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (TV-WVLT).

It's a Crimson Tide team ranked fifth in the nation in total defense, 10th in rushing defense and 10th in passing defense.

Be honest. Is this where you really want to look for a cure to offensive woes?

Swain says yes.

"Actually, I think this is a good test to do that," Tennessee's junior wide receiver from Huntsville, Ala. said. "They have one of the best defenses in the country.

"For us receivers, it's a great chance to go out and get that done. They're going to challenge us, so we've got to meet the challenge."

Alabama (6-0, 4-0 SEC) led the nation in pass defense last season, allowing 113.1 yards per game.

Senior veterans Charlie Peprah, Roman Harper, Anthony Madison and Ramzee Robinson form one of the best defensive backfields in the nation.

"They're very good," Tennessee quarterback Rick Clausen said. "They're right up there (with the best secondary Tennessee has seen).

"The best thing about their defensive unit is they're all seniors. They understand what they're supposed to do, they've got a feel for each other, they're playmakers and they're extremely physical."

Tennessee's offense wants to show it can trump Alabama's defensive playmakers.

The Vols' passing offense is ranked No. 4 in the SEC with 237.4 yards per game. It's the running game - averaging 98.8 yards a game - is in need of a shot in the arm.

Which could be another problem in Tuscaloosa.

The Crimson Tide allows 93.2 yards a game, barely ahead of UT's 12th-ranked rushing defense (93.4).

Linebackers Demeco Ryans and Freddie Roach are four-year starters.

"Film doesn't lie," Vols' tailback Gerald Riggs said. "They get after it and they're real active.

"All those guys, Roach, Ryans, Harper, Peprah, they make a lot of plays and they've been making a lot of plays for a few years. It's a challenge for us, but I think we're up to it."

Riggs wouldn't mind lining up in the "I" formation and taking a best-man-win approach.

"It's that kind of a game," he said. "You don't win a Tennessee-Alabama game by trying to finesse your way down the field.

"You've got to strap it up, dig your cleats in and be ready for a physical ball game."

Finesse, however, is where Tennessee has had most of its success offensively this season.

The Vols' finessed their way to a second-half comeback at LSU. They finessed their way to 310 yards passing two weeks ago in a loss to Georgia.

"The biggest thing is to play to our strength," Riggs said. "And our biggest strength is to play physical."

Offensive coordinator Randy Sanders has spent the past two weeks looking high and low for weaknesses in the 'Bama defense.

He's still looking.

"Only two teams have gained 300 yards against them," Sanders said. "Arkansas had a pretty big day running the football, but I think four opponents have been held to less than 100 yards rushing.

"They held one team to 9 yards rushing, so they're obviously very good against the run."

The Tide also has held five of its six opponents to less than 200 yards passing.

"The amazing thing is they do it rushing three guys and dropping eight into coverage most of the time," Sanders said. "Any time you start throwing against eight guys, that's hard.

"They're able to stop run while defending the pass. Anybody capable of doing that is pretty tough to play against."

Basically, all that said, it's a game apparently set up just the way the Vols like it. They're underdogs. Faith in the offense is waning.

"When you get written off it's kind of a shock to your pride," Clausen said. "That's one thing this program has, is a lot of pride and a lot of respect.

"We don't like it when people take shots at us, and we take it personally. It hurts. The biggest thing is we just go out there and try to prove everybody wrong."