Ryan Karl knows the excuses are out there. They're covered by protective boots, braces and bandages.

However, Karl isn't buying into the mindset that injuries have and will prevent Tennessee from reaching its goals.

"We're not the only team going through this," the junior linebacker said Monday about UT's mounting ailments. "Every team in the SEC, every team in the country is going through the same football punishment that we're going through.

"It's just something that you're going to have to live with throughout the year and fight to get better. I don't think that's affected our play at all because everyone else is on the same level we are."

At the very least, injuries mean missed practice time. Karl said UT's upperclassmen have dealt with the absences.

"They have enough notches on their belt that they know what to do and how to go out there," Karl said.

Despite the injury list, Karl said the mental challenges outweigh their physical counterparts.

"We're down," Karl said, "but we just got to pick our heads up and come out these next two weeks and get two wins so we can finish the season right."

Karl didn't seem worried that the 2006 season could slide like UT's 5-6 campaign last season just because the Vols (7-3, 3-3 SEC) have lost two in a row.

"I think we're just mentally set and we have goals we want to accomplish," he said. "Although we lost these past two games, we still have some goals we can accomplish."

"If we win out and have a 10-win season, that would be pretty satisfying."

The Vols also should benefit from the revenge factor. Saturday's opponent, Vanderbilt (4-7, 1-6), beat UT 28-24 last year for the first time since 1982.

"As a team, we're upset about the past two weeks and we're upset about what happened last year," Karl said, "so I think it's going to be a lot easier to get on track with Vandy coming up."

Coker Likely Starter: UT coach Phillip Fulmer said LaMarcus Coker would likely start at running back, but that Montario Hardesty and Arian Foster also would play.

"LaMarcus had a nice game (last Saturday against Arkansas) and as far as I'm concerned that's where we're going to start," Fulmer said.

Coker gained 51 yards on nine carries in a 31-14 loss to the Razorbacks.

Loud Crowd?: Don't count UT defensive tackle Demonte Bolden as one who believes Arkansas' home-field advantage played a major factor.

"That wasn't even a loud crowd," the sophomore told The Locker Room television show. "It ain't like Neyland Stadium. I'm not trying to talk junk, but it wasn't loud. It wasn't as loud as we practiced for."

Middle Man: Middle linebacker Marvin Mitchell continues to play as much as possible with a sore left shoulder.

Mitchell tied for the lead in tackles (nine) against Arkansas along with defensive lineman Turk McBride and safety Jonathan Hefney.

"He's playing his heart out right now," Karl said. "He led the team in tackles with one arm.

"It's one of those injuries that you can play through but it's going to be painful. He's really showing his manhood, how he can step up and be a leader by playing with that."

Karl said the showing has inspired Mitchell's teammates.

"You watch film sometimes and he's just swinging one arm while running," Karl said. "He's hitting people with that good shoulder. He's playing real hard. You look up to him and appreciate him doing that."

Quick Hogs: Karl said there were occasions against Arkansas that UT's linebackers were out of position. Karl said the Razorbacks often hurried to the line of scrimmage, which caught the Vols off guard.

"They were actually sprinting to the line and snapping it once they got down and set," Karl said.

Compounding the problem, Karl said, were some new, unusual formations that UT hadn't seen before from Arkansas, which was much less diverse once the ball was snapped.

"I really think they only ran about five plays the whole game," Karl said.

Rushing Leader: Quarterback Chris Nickson is Vanderbilt's overall leading rusher with 689 yards this season.

"For some reason, we've had difficulty with them," Karl said, referring to mobile quarterbacks.

So, is UT's defense better suited to stop athletic passers this week? Karl isn't sure.

"We'll have to see after Saturday," Karl said.

Roll Call: Austin Rogers (mononucleosis) practiced, however, the sophomore receiver likely will redshirt this season.

In addition to quarterback Erik Ainge, receiver Robert Meachem (ankle), guard David Ligon (elbow) and Mitchell (shoulder) all practiced.

Defensive end Antonio Reynolds (sprained neck) did not practice.

TV Time: UT's final home game on Nov. 25 against Kentucky will start at 12:30 p.m. and will be televised by Lincoln Financial on WVLT.