For all the perceived differences between the Big Ten and the SEC, Penn State coach Joe Paterno sees a lot of similarities between the Big Ten’s best and Tennessee.

The Nittany Lions (8-4) play No. 17 Tennessee (9-3) in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 in Tampa, Fla.

"They’re not very far away from Michigan and Ohio State," Paterno said during a conference call Thursday. "Their offense is more like Ohio State’s, in that their quarterback (Erik Ainge) does so many things well. He doesn’t run like the kid from Ohio State (Troy Smith) does.

"Defensively, they remind me of both those teams in the way they run to the football, aggressiveness, the variety of things they do on defense."

Those impressions are nice compliments, but they might not be the best of omens.

Penn State, which finished No. 4 in the Big Ten in total defense, allowed just two offensive touchdowns to both the third-ranked Wolverines and No. 1 Buckeyes.

Only three teams — Ohio State, Minnesota and Notre Dame — scored 27 or more points against the Nittany Lions. The Fighting Irish, which defeated Penn State 41-17, is the only team to post more than 30.

"The only ballgame I would feel we were not as aggressive or alert as we should be would be the Notre Dame game," Paterno said. "We made some mistakes in that ballgame. Other than that we’ve played very solid defensive football."

Perhaps the biggest perceived difference in the two leagues is that the balance of speed falls in the SEC’s favor.

While UT’s speed is a concern, Paterno said his defense has done the little things all season long to help make up for what it lacks.

"Good defensive football teams line up properly," Paterno said. "They anticipate certain things. They play maybe a step faster than maybe they are because they recognize things. That’s what you’re always trying to get them to do: Recognize formations, recognize tendencies, be in good position, know where you buddies are, help each other. It’s really a team doing.

"Speed obviously is a problem for us. That No. 3 (Robert Meachem) is an outstanding football player."

Patient Hunt: Nittany Lions running back Tony Hunt posted his second consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2006, but the biggest difference in the 6-foot-2, 230-pound back is his patience.

"He’s a big back, he’s smart, he can block, he catches the ball well. He’s a complete football player," Paterno said. "The only thing he needed to do is have just a little more patience and he’s had that this year. He’s hung in there, waited for an opening, took advantage of it and made 20-yard runs out of what ordinarily would have been 3 or 4 for him maybe a year or so ago. But he’s a really good back."

Hunt finished third in the Big Ten in rushing with 1,228 yards, an average of 102.3 yards per game. In 2005, Hunt rushed for 1,047 yards.

Outback a Sellout: For the sixth time in the last seven years, Outback Bowl tickets have sold out, officials said.

"As expected, the response by the Penn State and Tennessee fans has been outstanding," Outback Bowl president and CEO Jim McVay said.

UT is still distributing its allotment of 13,000 tickets. Orders may be placed at www.utsports.com.

Three Vols Freshman All-SEC: Center Josh McNeil, tailback LaMarcus Coker and linebacker Rico McCoy were named to the SEC coaches’ all-freshman team.

McNeil, who started UT’s final eight games, was the league’s only unanimous choice.

Coker led the Vols with 660 rushing yards in 10 games.

McCoy led the Vols in tackles against Vanderbilt and Kentucky, filling in for injured starter Jerod Mayo at outside linebacker.

Former Central High School standout Lones Seiber, a kicker at Kentucky, was also selected.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.