Tennessee's mood was mellow at the Sunday night walk-through at the Neyland Thompson Sports Center.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said the Vols' attitude is good, but he's anxious to see how traveling the same day as tonight's 7:30 p.m. game at LSU will work for his team.

"The kids have done really well with the adjustment of the schedule,'' Fulmer said. "I'm anxious to see how this (travel) works, as well.''

The Vols will leave for Baton Rouge on a chartered flight at 10:30 a.m. today.

Fulmer said he has heard reports that LSU had its field covered when more than nine inches of rain fell in Baton Rouge on Saturday.

And even if the playing conditions aren't perfect, Fulmer said he's not worried.

"If it's muddy, then it's muddy on both sides,'' he said. "Gerald (Riggs) has always been pretty good in the wet weather.''

And Fulmer believes his Vols are ready to shine in the spotlight.

"It's Monday Night Football, these guys have been watching that since they've been watching football,'' Fulmer said. "We've got the attention of the nation they'll look at what we're doing,''

Fulmer said from what he has seen over the past week of practice, sophomore Erik Ainge has appeared more relaxed since he was named starter.

"Erik is going to continue to improve as he continues to grow and mature,'' Fulmer said. "We're not asking him to do things he can't do - we've geared everything to what he can do.''