First of all, Big Orange fans, it's exciting for this longtime TV broadcaster to be joining you via the pen and pad. Oops! This is the 2K era, the computer notebook, that is!

Yes, it's early September and the Vols are about to kick off another run at history and as UT history has proved, the more, the merrier!

The big question during preseason camp, "Who would be coach Phillip Fulmer's starting quarterback?" Last year, Brent Schaeffer edged out Erik Ainge for the job, with Rick Clausen relegated to third string. This year, it's Ainge winning out over Clausen with win being the operative word.

Tennessee back-ups have proved to be winners over the years. How about Daryl Dickey leading the Vols to a Sugar Bowl win in 1986. And then there was the tiny, yet tenacious Tony Thompson, who took over for the injured Chuck Webb, leading the Vols to an SEC championship. Thompson was a team captain in 1990, as is Rick Clausen this season. Casey Clausen's younger brother has proved to be a very capable back-up, leading the Big Orange to a Cotton Bowl win, while winning game MVP honors.

There's that word again, win. It's why these guys work so hard during the off season and in practice. It's why Vol fans cheer so hard and it's why decisions on starting positions are so difficult for coaches to make and players to accept. Expectations and the ability to live up to them are not met without total dedication. Dedication, not just from those who take the field first, but from those who are there by game and season's end.

Both Ainge and Clausen have proved their worth in each capacity and if each stays dedicated to the cause, well, it's a win-win situation for Ainge, Clausen, and the Big Orange.

Rick Russo is sports director for WVLT Volunteer TV Sports Overtime.