If you're looking for someone to pick against the Vols again this week, you sure won't find him here.

Not against Air Force, at least.

The Falcons are young, the Falcons are outsized and the Falcons are slow.

The Falcons are done.

Not that Tennessee should be overlooking Air Force, but let's just say it would've been a good idea for the Vols to get a little extra work in on their Florida package.

Let's face it, the game with the Gators is where it's at.

Cal was a quiz. Florida is an exam.

In beating the Golden Bears soundly, the Vols answered some key questions, like:

Would the offensive line come together with four new starters?

Yes, although it's obvious the Bears do not have the best defensive line in the country, as some preseason magazines suggested.

Would the Vols successfully replace six departed starters in the front seven?

Uh, yeah. Defensive end Robert Ayers is a terror, Justin Harrell and Turk McBride were as good as advertised and Demonte Bolden is emerging.

Would Tennessee finally show some fire on special teams?

Obviously — just ask Cal tight end Craig Stevens, the toughest guy on the team according to coach Jeff Tedford. Ayers, playing special teams, knocked Stevens out on the opening kick.

Would offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe have an impact?

Indeed, and it was even bigger than some expected. Cutcliffe's scheme dissected the Bears, picking at their weaknesses and neutralizing their strengths, all the while hiding Tennessee's inefficiencies.

Would the Vols regain their swagger and show some heart?

No doubt, linebacker Ryan Karl was all over the place with big hits and tailback Montario Hardesty ran like there was no tomorrow.

So, as Cal's Heisman Trophy candidate Marshawn Lynch said after the game, "Big Ups'' to the Vols.

That said, as Fulmer reminded the media, it was just "one good game.''

There needs to be more. Many more.

Fulmer knows as well as anyone there were some questions that were not answered, like:

Can Erik Ainge take a hit and complete passes in the face of pressure?

It's a question Cutcliffe and the O-line hope not to have to answer too often, but the reality is that SEC defenses will find a way to get to Ainge.

Can Hardesty's knee hold up through the season?

Fulmer said it's a "management issue,'' meaning it will need to be closely monitored.

Can the Vols move the ball without ripping off the opponent's coverage signals?

It's common for teams to steal audibles and signs, but it's uncommon for the offending teams to brag about it, as Trooper Taylor did after the game. Taylor might have meant well, but it discredited his receivers' performances and tipped Cal off one year before next year's meeting.

Is the secondary as good as advertised?

Probably, but the Bears receivers were scared to catch the ball (Ryan Karl had something to do with that) and the quarterback, making his first road start, couldn't hear himself think.

Still, Tennessee looks like a pretty good football team.

I said 9-3 at the start of the season. I'll bump it up to 10-2.

This week's game:

KEY PLAYERS: Safety Jonathan Hefney for the Vols, QB Shaun Carney for the Falcons.

KEY STAT: Turnovers. Lots of ‘em. It's Air Force's only shot for an upset.

OVER UNDER: Ainge 4 TD passes; Jonathan Wade 1 interception; Carney positive yardage rushing.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Receiver Robert Meachem. He had a big game against a redshirt freshman wearing a cast who had no safety help. Can Meachem do it again?

PREDICTION: Tennessee 45, Air Force 10.

GRIFF'S PICKS

Vanderbilt plus-16 over Alabama; Alabama straight-up

Arkansas minus-28 over Utah State

Auburn minus-20 over Mississippi State

Central Florida plus-23 over Florida; Florida straight-up

Georgia minus-3 over South Carolina

Kentucky no-line over Texas State

LSU minus-15 over Arizona

Ole Miss plus-8 over Missouri, Missouri straight-up

Tennessee minus-20 over Air Force

Season Record: vs. spread: 5-5

Straight-up 8-2

Now, your questions ...

Q: The Inside Tennessee web site has an article about recruiting and the fact that we do not have very many 4- and 5-star commitments on our list so far. Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Texas, ND, USC, etc. seem to be significantly ahead of us. What is your take?

SonnyBeckham@metaldyne.com

GRIFF: I typically don't pay much attention to "star'' ratings, but I've got to admit, it's not looking like the best class UT has recruited. That's not good, especially when you consider that the most recent recruiting class is down to 14 signees.

I think Tennessee's performance against Cal on national television, and jump to No. 11 in the rankings, should make the coaches' jobs easier on the recruiting trail.

It's too early to push the panic button. Phillip Fulmer has proved over and over he's one of the best recruiters in the nation, regardless of who his recruiting coordinator or his "ace'' recruiter is.

Fulmer's a constant in that area, and I just don't see him relenting.

Q: First off, the uniforms this year look awesome! This is exactly what Tennessee uniforms should look like, most notably the stitched numbers ... Outstanding!

As I watched the game this weekend down here in Florida, I noticed a "Torch" patch on some of the players. I like the reference to the Torchbearer, but haven't been able to figure out what they were for.

I noticed Ainge was wearing one, along with numerous other players.

What's up with the patches?

Matt Matin

mmatin@HNTB.com

GRIFF: Matt, good question so I dialed up UT sports information Hall of Famer Bud Ford and he sent me a release explaining it.

The torch is the "VOLScholar'' insignia, representing a program through the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center in cooperation with the men's and women's athletics departments.

The program represents academic and citizenship-building and student-athletes must earn the right to wear the patch with a 3.0 grade-point average the previous fall and/or spring semester.

OK, nobody asked this year, but It's coming so I'll ask myself this out loud:

Q: How will Major Wingate's dismissal affect UT's basketball program?

GRIFF: Wingate's enthusiasm and athleticism will be missed, as it's a hit on a young front line.

Freshman Wayne Chism will likely step to the forefront as the starting center, with freshman Duke Crews and senior Dane Bradshaw beside him on the front line.

It also means more playing time for sophomore Ryan Childress and sophomore Tony Passley.

Chism has looked very good in individual workouts, as he is both athletic and polished. At 6-foot-9, 240 pounds, Chism can more than hold his own against most.

Crews is a raw talent who is developing quickly. At 6-7, Crews can match up with players three inches taller because of his incredible vertical leap and defensive intensity. Crews is still grooming his shot and ball-handling skills.

Bradshaw, who at 6-4 played power forward last season, has proved he can hold his own with the "bigs'' while also passing and shooting the ball.

Childress has show great improvement in the offseason, trimming 14 pounds and adding four inches to his vertical jump. Passley, too, is an athletic sort who will bring quickness and an outside shot to the front line.

JaJuan Smith doubles as a small forward — his defense is impressive — in addition to spelling Chris Lofton at shooting guard.

And don't be surprised if freshman Marques Johnson gets a look at small forward. With Ramar Smith in school, and apparently set to take over the point guard position, Johnson's 6-6 height enables him to fit in. Johnson, like Bradshaw, muscles up with the big men and has great passing skills and a good 3-point shot.

In summation, the team will miss Wingate, but with Bruce Pearl calling the shots they should still make a run for the SEC title and the Sweet 16.