FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Cornerback Chris Houston is a star student of the Reggie Herring school of pass defense.

Any thoughts that Arkansas will consider emphasizing more zone coverages for Saturday's showdown against Tennessee, the SEC's top passing team, were crushed by Houston and Herring, the Razorbacks' defensive coordinator.

South Carolina had success against Arkansas' usual diet of man coverage until a momentum-turning interception by Darius Vinnett in zone coverage late in the fourth quarter.

Herring scoffed at the idea that Arkansas needs to play more zone rather than matching up cornerbacks Houston and Matterral Richardson against Tennessee wideouts Bret Smith of Warren and Robert Meachem.

"The two deep-ball touchdowns (against Alabama and Auburn) we've given up this year, we were in two-deep zone," Herring said. "We're an aggressive, safe, calculating (man) team but we make them earn their (plays). There's nothing easy. And if you ask any offensive coordinator who's gone against us, I promise you they'd rather see us in a soft zone all day where they can throw short and catch and get some stats."

Houston relishes the assignments he's faced this season as the Razorbacks have encountered a string of standout receivers. Next is Meachem, a junior who has 989 receiving yards this season. Tennessee ranks 12th in the nation with almost 277 yards passing per game.

"We're going to play a lot of man-to-man," Houston said. "It's a special opportunity knowing that you can take this man out of the equation."

Herring, who called Houston one of the Razorbacks' most valuable players this season, was pleased to hear that Houston is eager to face Meachem 1-on-1.

"You have to have that kind of mentality. And that's the kind of player Chris is," Herring said. "Week in and week out he has gone against the best receivers in the country and he hasn't flinched. He's covered (Dwayne) Jarrett from Southern California to (South Carolina's) Sidney Rice and he'll be all over Meachem this week."

Harrison Hurt Again: Defensive tackle Marcus Harrison had to leave practice Wednesday after suffering a concussion and is doubtful for Saturday's game after already being banged up with knee and ankle injuries.

Trainer Dean Weber said Harrison blacked out slightly after suffering a blow to the head and was under observation. He seemed to be OK but Weber said he'll know more today.

Corso A Mcfadden Fan: ESPN personality Lee Corso, a fixture on the network's College GameDay crew that is coming to Fayetteville for Saturday's popular pregame show, said he can't wait to see Arkansas running back Darren McFadden in person.

"That Darren McFadden, wow. Now that (Oklahoma's) Adrian Peterson got hurt, I think Darren McFadden is the best big running back in the country," Corso said.

Notebook: Linebacker Sam Olajubutu, recovering from a knee injury, was held out of Wednesday's practice for precautionary reasons, but coach Houston Nutt said Olajubutu could have practiced and should be OK. Former quarterback Robert Johnson offered to work at safety to give the team some depth after the starter at free safety Michael Grant was lost for the season with a knee injury.