Ask Griff

I live in the "now,’’ so let’s begin this week’s AskGriff with a practical breakdown of tonight’s game.

''Breakdown'' is the key word here, because the Vols’ are starting to do just that, losing tailback LaMarcus Coker for a key stretch and seeing Jayson Swain hobbling around.

This is a team that has already lost defensive tackle Justin Harrell and cornerback Inky Johnson and played with offensive tackle Arron Sears nicked up and linebacker Jerod Mayo wearing a walking boot on account of his chronic ankle injury.

Credit the Vols for giving it all they’ve got, and go ahead and count on Tennessee continuing to do so.

But what the Vols have got is shrinking and the competition is getting stronger.

The Gamecocks are going to give UT all they have; it’s Steve Spurrier, you know, and there’s no one he revels beating more than Phillip Fulmer.

I don’t see it happening. Injuries and all, the Vols are a tad more talented than South Carolina and Tennessee’s coaching staff is better.

The Cutcliffe-Erik Ainge combination is better than Spurrier playing left-handed with a running quarterback like Syvelle Newton.

Vols’ coordinator John Chavis has a theory about running quarterbacks: Let ‘em run, because eventually, they’re going to get their heads handed to them.

Remember that Texas A&M quarterback in the Cotton Bowl? If so, there’s a good chance you remember more about that game than he does.

Harrell knocked him into a stupor and the kid played the rest of the game with a concussion. Remember the plays? Shoot, he might not have even remembered his name.

Reggie McNeal was his name, and at least Reggie had enough sense left to play scared the rest of the game and avoid further injury.

So Tennessee wins tonight over South Carolina with a hard-hitting defense, a high-percentage passing game and the discipline that’s led to the Vols being the least penalized team in the SEC.

Now then, the Cutcliffe matter.

According to a source, Cutcliffe has contacted a former UT assistant now in the NFL and asked if he’d be interested in joining a staff at North Carolina should the opportunity arise.

Cutcliffe told the News-Sentinel he’s "100-percent happy.’’

Cutcliffe didn’t say he wouldn’t take another job.

The Raleigh newspaper called this week to say it’s putting a list of possible candidates together and it’s including Cutcliffe.

Cutcliffe had a great run as the Ole Miss head coach. But that was then, 1999, and years have passed and Cutcliffe had the misfortune – or good fortune – of having a heart procedure performed.

Good men like David Cutcliffe deserve a second chance, and Cut has made the most of it, returning to Knoxville to help revive a fading program.

Tennessee loves David Cutcliffe, it loves his wife, his children and his style.

He operates the offense with carte blanche, earning his power by out-witting every coach he has gone up against this season.

For his efforts, Cutcliffe makes an appropriate sum of $300,000 a year.

Not that money is the lure for Cutcliffe, if he is indeed considering leaving.

It’s power. It’s ego. It’s ambition. It’s somewhat understandable.

But is it wise? It’s unlikely Cutcliffe – or any other coach – could bring the Tar Heels football program to life in two years.

Think of the energy and aggravation. Fulmer looks great on game days and in front of the podium at press conferences, but take a look at him at the end of a football season or near the end of the recruiting season. The man literally works himself to exhaustion.

Cutcliffe would need the same effort at a place like North Carolina.

There was a time when I was like other skeptics in thinking that the Manning Family was the key to Cutcliffe’s coaching success and, no doubt, it didn’t hurt having Peyton and Eli.

I’m now convinced Cutcliffe is everything he’s cracked up to be. Give the man some talent, and he makes things happen. He’s truly one of the best coordinators in modern football history. The numbers bear that out.

For his sake, and for his health, not to mention the well being of the Tennessee football program, Cutcliffe needs to stay in Knoxville.

SOUTH CAROLINA BREAKDOWN

Key Players: QB Erik Ainge; RB Arian Foster; LB Marvin Mitchell; USC: Cornerbacks, Syvelle Newton, Sidney Rice.

Over/Under: Ainge 2 interceptions; Bret Smith 75 yards receiving; Arian Foster one fumble, 75 yards rushing; Newton sacked twice.

Key stat: Sack, pressures. The QB that gets hit most will lose.

Keep an Eye On: Spurrier. When he gets frustrated in the big games, he loses his patience and his play calling suffers.

GRIFF’S PICKS

Auburn minus-17 over Ole Miss
Vanderbilt minus-10 over Duke
Mississippi State plus-2 over Kentucky, MSU straight up
Alabama minus-29 over Florida International
Georgia plus-14 over Florida, Florida straight-up
Arkansas minus-37 over Louisiana-Monroe
Tennessee minus-five over South Carolina

Record: Straight up 42-8; vs. spread 27-26