Trooper Taylor was looking for five wide receivers this fall.

He found four.

Tennessee's wide receivers coach said he will likely use a four-receiver rotation against California on Saturday.

Seniors Bret Smith and Jayson Swain, junior Robert Meachem and sophomore Lucas Taylor will get the first crack at the Golden Bears.

Sophomore Austin Rogers will play a limited backup role depending on his contributions to special teams, Taylor said. UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Rogers will return kicks.

Playing time for surging freshman Quintin Hancock and sophomore Josh Briscoe's will be hindered by subpar run blocking.

"That's both of their downfalls," Taylor said. "I can't just put them out there on passing plays."

Just because Hancock is out of the preset rotation, doesn't mean he won't see the field.

"As far as catching the football and knowing what to do, I've been really impressed with him," Taylor said. "I see him playing some snaps in this game."

The surprise is Briscoe. He was pushing for playing time throughout fall camp.

"I don't see him playing a lot but I don't know what's going to happen injury-wise," Taylor said. "He still has to earn his keep."

No one is complaining about Lucas Taylor. He has been drawing rave reviews from UT's coaches since spring drills.

"He's special," Trooper Taylor said. "He's a guy that can play inside or outside. He catches the ball with his hands. I think he's most special at closing on the football while it's in the air.

"A lot of guys can't change direction like that and run underneath the post route. He has a special knack for going out and getting the football."

UT's offensive coaches have some flexibility, especially since their tight ends figure to play for much of the game.

"I don't think we have to go into it thinking a five-wide package," Taylor said. "Could I get away with just playing four guys? Yeah.

"It can change ... (but) if it's not a conditioning thing, I'm going to try to keep the best guys out there."

Old Hat Offense?: Defensive tackle Justin Harrell said UT's defenders are more prepared to face a spread-option attack than they were when he arrived on campus in 2002. The offense is much more in vogue than it was just five years before.

"When I came in, you didn't really see it," the fifth-year senior said. "Teams take little bits and pieces of the offense and put it in their offense. ... I've definitely seen it a lot the past couple years."

Harrell implied that Cal's players were every bit as dangerous as its scheme, especially when it comes to juniors Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett. Lynch is considered a Heisman candidate.

"They're very dangerous," Harrell said of Cal's two running backs. "Both of them have game-breaking abilities.

"It's going to be a big key for us to go out here and gang tackle and hit them as much as we can, just try to take their will from them."

Grown Up: Sears said he has seen a new approach from UT's offensive linemen this year. The change has been especially obvious lately.

"This spring, I kind of felt like I dominated," Harrell said. "During two-a-days (this fall), they were pushing me around a little bit. That was unexpected."

Harrell, who plays left defensive tackle, found himself matched up against the inexperienced right side of UT's offensive line for most of fall practice.

That right side is comprised of sophomore guard Anthony Parker and junior tackle Eric Young. The two have started three games between them.

"Parker and Big E are giving me all I can handle," Harrell said. "I feel a lot better knowing that those guys have pushed me around like that. I know what they're capable of doing."

Parker may be UT's most-improved offensive lineman. He was expected to be a backup until he surpassed projected starter Ramon Foster early in fall camp. Parker has definitely impressed Harrell.

"It's crazy," Harrell said with a chuckle. "You could tell he was young back in the spring. He's grown into a grown man in these two-a-days."

Raring And Ready: Backup quarterback Jonathan Crompton will dress for his first game as a Vol. The redshirt freshman missed last season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Crompton watched the home games from the sidelines last year. The away games, he watched from his dorm room.

"It was tough," Crompton said. "It was really tough knowing that you're team is out there and I've got to be back in my room. But that's something you've got to deal with."

Crompton implied he is prepared to play if need be. Junior Erik Ainge will start.

"Coach (David) Cutcliffe has everybody on the whole offense ready to go in case something happens to somebody," Crompton said, referring to UT's offensive coordinator.

Redshirt freshman Josh McNeil is another player looking forward to Saturday. He was also sidelined after shoulder surgery. McNeil is expected to play Saturday despite losing the staring center job to senior Michael Frogg last week.

"I have to be ready," McNeil said. "I'm one play away. That's how I look at it. I expect to get in the game some. They've (UT's coaches) told me that I'm going to play."

Injury Report: Defensive lineman Turk McBride said his right hand is 70-to-80 percent healed. The senior suffered an injured ligament and wore a cast for much of fall practice.

The cast was removed last week. McBride said he doesn't expect to wear a brace on Saturday. Strength in the hand could be an issue.

Sophomore linebacker Jarod Mayo said he feels like he is 80 percent healthy after being sidelined for much of fall practice with a sore ankle. He said he expects to be 100 percent by Thursday.