Less is more for Trooper Taylor when it comes to his star tailback.

Tennessee's running backs coach said he plans to keep a close eye on the number of carries by Gerald Riggs Jr. when the Vols visit Alabama on Saturday.

The idea is to keep Riggs fresh for the fourth quarter and the rest of the season.

"I have to be more trusting in some of the young guys," Taylor said of Riggs' backups. "It's hard to get that done when they haven't been in (games) and made plays.

"They've practiced well enough where I should be able to trust those guys better."

Those guys are freshmen Arian Foster and Ja'Kouri Williams and junior David Yancey. Freshman Montario Hardesty looked like a strong backup until he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Ole Miss on Oct. 1.

UT will likely redshirt freshman LaMarcus Coker.

The Vols' 3-2 record has forced Riggs into more playing time than Taylor would like.

"As tough as the games have been going," Taylor said, "you always want to have your best out there."

Taylor said he has to be wary of Riggs' workload, especially with six straight games to finish the season.

"There's only so many downs in that body," Taylor said. "You can only take so many hits, and he's not a kid that'll take himself out of the game."

Riggs said he isn't concerned about his physical well-being.

The 6-foot, 217-pound power back said he feels fine after 109 carries for 462 yards this season. Riggs credits his offseason conditioning.

He'll need all of that ability Saturday when UT takes on Alabama. The Crimson Tide's rush defense ranks 10th in the nation and thrives on discipline and consistency.

"If you go back and look on the film, they've done pretty good at being in the right places and being in position," Riggs said. "You've just got to beat them. You've got to make plays, make guys miss, beat the man in front of you.

"I think we're up to the challenge."

Come Back Cory: Taylor said Cory Anderson's recent practice habits have led to his limited play in games. Anderson has two carries and eight receptions this season.

"He felt like he didn't get the playing time that he needed," Taylor said. "I told him that's a direct result of how he practices.

"He's picked that up and done very well since then."

Taylor said the problem began two weeks ago. The poor practices and lack of playing time likely became cyclical.

"We're not going to be held hostage," Taylor retorted. "We're going to make sure that the players that are out there are the players that are getting it done during practice."

Anderson's playing time has also been limited by UT's use of multiple wide receiver formations. Still, it was practice that has hurt his production.

"I didn't think he practiced worth a crap two weeks ago," Taylor said. "He's done better. He really has."

Flying High Hawaiian: AllAmerica UT defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona is one of 12 players named a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award.

The award will be presented Dec. 7 and is given to the top defensive player in the NCAA.

Mahelona has at least one tackle for loss in 13 of his 18 UT games.

Pick Your Guy: A website called www.teamclausen.com is allowing fans to choose which side of UT's quarterback controversy they support. The site is offering two styles of T-shirts. One reads "Team Ainge" and another reads "Team Clausen."

The T-shirts are being offered for a $10 donation.

Injury Report: Wide receivers C.J. Fayton (ankle) and Jayson Swain (groin) both practiced Wednesday and are expected to play Saturday.

Fayton hasn't played since UT's played Ole Miss on Oct. 1. He is UT's leading receiver with 16 catches for 190 yards.

"He's done a really good job." Fulmer said. "The last two years, he's grown up a lot."