Anytime an offense struggles to run the football as Tennessee did last Saturday in a 21-20 loss to Florida, position changes are a strong possibility. After a physical workout on Tuesday, UT's offensive coaches are considering their options.

"We'll have a little personnel discussion tonight, on Tuesday nights we always do," offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said. "I'm anxious to see how all of them respond in practice."

The center of attention appears to be the center position. Cutcliffe confirmed that a mistake by senior center Michael Frogg caused pressure that led to an intentional grounding on UT's last drive, which prevented the Vols from being able to move into field goal position.

"Michael went the wrong way," Cutcliffe said. "It happens. It happens to all of us."

Redshirt freshman Josh McNeil took some first team snaps during Monday's practice. Frogg practiced with the starters on Tuesday. UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Josh McNeil will play Saturday against Marshall, but how much is still unknown.

Cutcliffe, however, placed some of the blame on himself for UT's rushing woes while defending UT's offensive line.

"When you're minus-11 yards rushing," he said, "there are a lot of things that are issues."

As for other potential changes, few pop to mind. UT's main backup at four offensive line positions, sophomore Ramon Foster, is still slowed with a sprained ankle. Several younger linemen are still learning their way.

"You'd like to see all of them push," Cutcliffe said. "McNeil is the one that's closest to getting himself ready to play."

McNeil surely scared UT's coaches with several fumbled snaps during the preseason. Cutcliffe said his ball handling has improved since the season began, but McNeil's "excitability" is a concern.

"Consistency, I think, is probably what he's looking for," Cutcliffe said. "He's a really fierce competitor."

A fierce attitude may be exactly what UT's offensive front needs, especially after last week.

"We've got some guys that have been real physical at times," Cutcliffe said. "Did we win the physical battle Saturday? No, and they know that. You have to take that as a challenge, a real challenge."

Cutcliffe's challenge is to avoid a knee jerk reaction.

"But you better study what's going on and that's what we're in the process of doing," he said. "... It's no time to punch panic buttons. You just go back to the basics with them and put them in situations to be successful."

Cutcliffe spent much of Tuesday's media session discussing his offense's shortcomings. However, in the big picture, Cutcliffe seems encouraged by the way the season has began.

"I don't feel negative," he said. "I think this team has a chance to be a good team."

Look Back: Cutcliffe said Florida's pressure package had him second-guessing himself after watching the game tape.

"I talked myself out of some things," Cutcliffe said. "You start blocking ghosts. That's not usually my nature."

Cutcliffe's nature is attacking early and often.

"I like playing aggressive," he said. "I like playing offense. That's what we went in planning on doing. We've got to find the right way to do that.

"We can't be careless with the ball. We opened up the game with an interception, very easily could have been a big play. I don't want to change that tone. In order to be as good as we can be, we have to stay aggressive."

Commendation: Cutcliffe said he was pleased with junior quarterback Erik Ainge's play against Florida.

"He earned some stripes Saturday," Cutcliffe said. "He got better. Is there still a whole lot getting better to do? You better believe it."

Scouting Report: "Fast, experienced, and very aggressive," is how Cutcliffe described Marshall's defense.

"Again, we're going to face another zone blitz, a very active defensive football team," he said. "They create a lot of problems."

Wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor said he is impressed with how the Thundering Herd disguises their coverage schemes.

"They don't' tip their hand," Taylor said."

Marshall has the 86th rated defense in the nation. The Thundering Herd is 69th in rushing defense and 90th in passing defense.