Remember the old insurance commercial which claimed you were in good hands?

Well, it's a good thing Tennessee had and still has an insurance policy named Rick Clausen. LSU's blown lead in the Bayou was thanks in large part to the left hand of UT's senior quarterback.

You know, there's a belief that superior talent supersedes experience, but something is to be said for senior leadership. Just ask Vandy and senior quarterback Jay Cutler.

The game appears to move slower for Clausen and his teammates, who for whatever reason, seem to respond better when he's in the game. One of the knocks on Clausen has been arm strength. Well, let me tell you, after standing on the sideline late in the game at LSU, he had more than enough zip on the ball to get the job done.

But, it was his decision making which impressed me most. While physical ability is important, a quarterback's real worth lies from the neck up. Not every quarterback is asked to win a game but they all are expected not to lose it.

Clausen experienced a week most college football players never do. It began with limited play at Florida and a devastating loss in The Swamp. Then came word he was being relegated to back-up. Add to that, the tension of possibly having to travel to Baton Rouge with Hurricane Rita bearing down on the area. And then finally, amidst "boos" from the LSU fans, who once cheered for this former Tiger, the daunting task of coming into a game trailing 21 points.

Well, it's no wonder Clausen is a team captain and not a surprise at all that he has the full support of his teammates -- and, I'd venture to say, the majority of Tennessee fans who still have plenty to cheer about.

Rod Stewart once sang, "It's late September and I really should be back at school." As a matter of fact, it's a good thing UT's savvy lefty never left, making this late September one to remember for a long time to come.