Shootout? Spurrier not interested

"We don't want to get in a drop-back passing game against that pass rush they've got," Spurrier said Thursday. "We don't want to get behind. So hopefully that won't happen."

Spurrier's success against Tennessee has been well documented. The Gamecocks' 16-15 victory last year in Knoxville improved Spurrier's record to 8-3 in head-to-head matchups with UT coach Phillip Fulmer.

With Fulmer, offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe and defensive coordinator John Chavis in their current roles at Tennessee, the Vols are 50-6. Spurrier's Florida teams were responsible for three of those losses, winning by scores of 62-37, 35-29 and 33-20 from 1995 through 1997.

But Spurrier said his South Carolina offense is different from those high-flying Florida squads.

"We sort of take a long time out there (with) six-, seven-minute drives," he said. "In the old days, we'd go out there and try to throw five or six and score as fast as we could. Now we may run five or six and be as happy as we can be to make a first down or two."

Tough Work: The knock on South Carolina's cornerbacks before the season started was their suspect tackling ability.

With few exceptions, Fred Bennett, Carlos Thomas and Captain Munnerlyn have proved to be decent tacklers with solid coverage skills.

They get a chance to prove it again against Tennessee's receiving corps, arguably the biggest, deepest group the Gamecocks will face this season.

"They've got three good receivers that are NFL prospects, so we feel like we've got three good corners that can cover them," Munnerlyn said. "They're real big receivers. We just want to show them that we can tackle them. They don't think we can tackle."

Actually, Spurrier raised the question of the corners' tackling prowess during the preseason, particularly Bennett.

"I'm not afraid. I don't mind getting physical. And I know our defense don't mind getting physical," said Bennett, on pace to finish with a few more than his 31-stop total from 2005. "So whoever thinks we can't tackle or we're not physical enough, just come watch a game."

Carolina's pass defense is second in the SEC and eighth nationally (147.4 yards allowed a game).

Behind rejuvenated quarterback Erik Ainge, the Vols rank second in the SEC and eighth nationally in pass offense (293 yards a game).

Something has to give.

"We've got some good cover guys," Spurrier said. "Obviously against Tennessee and (offensive coordinator) David Cutcliffe and those guys, we're going to really be tested to see if we can cover."

No Distractions: Fans should not expect Spurrier to show up at the State Fairgrounds to chat with Lee Corso and the rest of ESPN's "College GameDay" crew.

"I don't do that. I try to have the normal week we always have," Spurrier said. "Of course, I call the plays. If you have to call plays, you're not out shaking hands too much. ... The head coaches that don't call plays, that's what they do."

Extra Points: Despite having trouble learning the plays, Spurrier said Justin Sorensen would likely start at right tackle. ... Nose tackle Joel Reaves will start ahead of Stanley Doughty, defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix said. Reaves and Doughty have split time since Marque Hall went down with a season-ending knee injury against Georgia.