FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Forget conventional wisdom.

At least from about 7 o'clock until 10:30 or so tonight.

Arkansas' offense might seem simple enough to understand, but Razorbacks first-year offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has his share of wrinkles.

Sure, the Razorbacks run the ball better than anyone else in the SEC.

But they're pretty confusing, too.

At times, Darren McFadden, the SEC's leading rusher, has lined up at quarterback. The Razorbacks have used trick plays to great effect.

Tennessee linebacker Marvin Mitchell knows just how unusual the Razorbacks can be.

"Third-and-10, second-and-8, you've got to play the run," he said. "Don't think it's a pass situation there."

And don't think tonight's game (TV: ESPN2, 7 p.m.) between the 13th ranked Vols (7-2, 3-2 SEC) and No. 11 Arkansas (8-1, 5-0) at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is all about the running backs, either.

For the Vols, Jonathan Crompton will make his first collegiate start in place of Erik Ainge, who won't start because of an injured right ankle suffered two weeks ago against South Carolina.

Ainge will be available, but only in an emergency.

LaMarcus Coker will return today for the Vols after missing the last two games with a knee injury, although Montario Hardesty will start at tailback.

Ainge was on the field for just nine plays in last week's 28-24 loss to LSU, but Crompton completed 11 of 24 passes for 183 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

After watching Crompton play well against the nation's No. 1 defense, UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe will open up the playbook for his redshirt freshman backup.

"He's going to be much more comfortable," Cutcliffe said. "He'll see better. Sometimes what you do is dictated by your game plan based on what you think will work best against an opponent.

"We're not going to limit the game plan. We're going to try and go in with a full game plan for him."

UT defensive coordinator John Chavis' game plan might be a little tougher to figure.

Not only must the Vols find a way to limit a rushing game that averages 238.9 yards a game, they've also got to figure out who has the ball.

McFadden is already fifth on Arkansas' all-time 100-yard rushing games with 10. Last week's 219-yard performance was his fourth game with more than 180 yards in just two seasons.

Then there's Felix Jones, who is averaging 8.1 yards per carry and 79.3 yards a game.

"They're talented enough to run it when you do get lined up right, and then you throw in the multitude of formations, motions, those kind of things," Chavis said. "Then if you don't get lined up, then they get really good running it."

They're not bad passing the ball, either.

Sophomore quarterback Casey Dick will make his first start of the season for the Razorbacks, taking over for freshman Mitch Mustain.

Dick was solid last week against South Carolina, completing 11 of his 19 passes for 228 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Mustain, a top recruit just a year ago, has started eight games and thrown for 853 yards for 10 touchdowns while completing 52.5 percent of his passes.

The Razorbacks don't change a whole lot, depending who's under center, UT coach Phillip Fulmer said.

"Both those youngsters are talented quarterbacks," he said. "Dick has a little more experience, and down the stretch run here Mustain had thrown some interceptions. Looks like a solid move to me. He's a good player. Both of them are good players."

And they have one great target in 6-foot-6, 217-pound junior Marcus Monk, who has six touchdowns and averages 19.5 yards per reception. Last week against the Gamecocks he had a career-high 192 yards.

"He's a big guy who has real good speed," Chavis said. "If you're not careful, he'll put you to sleep with his size and then he'll be behind you. He's a guy they're going to go to."

Saturday's game could have a lot to do with where Tennessee goes in the postseason.

Even with the SEC title game and a BCS bowl out of reach, the Vols still have plenty to play for.

After losing last week in the closing seconds and dealing with the varying suspensions of three players on Monday, offensive lineman David Ligon says the Vols are ready to move forward.

"We've got to put it behind us," he said. "Obviously we're feeling better than we did last year.

"The BCS, the championships, for the most part they're gone. We didn't get the chance to go to a bowl game last year. Hopefully we'll go somewhere nice this year."

So far this season, Arkansas has rushed for more than 140 yards in every game, but one, a 50-14 loss to Southern Cal in the season opener.

Here's how Tennessee has fared this season when allowing opponents to rush for more than 140 yards as a team:

Team Rush Yard. Result

Air Force 281 W, 31-30

Georgia 145 W, 51-33

South Carolina 165 W, 31-24

LSU 231 L, 28-24