BATON ROUGE, La. — You can understand why Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer would prefer to play the UT-LSU game in December.

Weather isn't the only issue. UT's offense is another.

One week of preparation for No. 3-ranked LSU hardly seems adequate for an offense as dysfunctional as this one. Give it another two months and it might be humming along as it did in December of 2001.

The 9/11 tragedy actually worked to the advantage of UT's football team.

UT's offense wasn't exactly flourishing as the Florida game approached on Sept. 22. The Vols had struggled to a 13-3 victory over Arkansas in Fayetteville. Injuries to several players further hindered UT's chances in that early-season matchup against the Gators.

What a difference 11 weeks made.

Injuries had healed and UT's confidence had soared by the first Saturday in December. The Vols entered the Florida game on a six-game winning streak, having averaged 38.3 points per game in their previous four games.

And they didn't slow down against the Gators, starting fast and holding on for a 34-32 upset to win the SEC East championship.

You can see why another September-to-December postponement might work to UT's advantage. The Vols are coming off a crucial 16-7 loss to Florida while the Tigers have had more than two weeks to prepare.

But this time, the benefits of a postponement aren't as clear-cut.

Despite the Tigers No. 3 ranking, they have problems. Much attention has been paid to UT's offensive shortcomings, but LSU's defensive defects are just as obvious.

The Tigers gave up 31 points and 560 yards in a four-point victory over Arizona State in the season opener. Preseason analyses projected cornerback as a position of concern, but the weakness was more glaring than expected.

You have to wonder if two weeks is enough time to remedy what ails LSU's defense, which not only has holes in the secondary but has no better than average linebackers.

You also have to wonder if LSU's offense has had too much time between games. The Tigers' season opener was postponed by Hurricane Katrina. Then, after an emotional come-from-behind victory against Arizona State, the team has had to wait 16 days for its next game. That's not the best-case scenario for any offense, particularly one with a new head coach.

LSU might have lost another edge when the game was postponed to Monday night.

This won't be a typical night game at Tiger Stadium. Aftereffects of two hurricanes coupled with a week-night kickoff will drastically reduce the attendance and significantly lower the volume.

UT's offense won't have to contend with a deafening, Swamp-like roar. Instead, it will get a much quieter, tamer version of a famously loud and wild crowd.

UT 20, LSU 17: Fulmer might have preferred to play the game in December, but a switch to Monday night also could work to his team's advantage. And on a night in which rain could be a greater factor than noise, the best defense will prevail.