The last stretch of road to the SEC championship game wasn't much different this season than it was in 2004 for Tennessee.

In each case, the Vols had to win tight, high-scoring games against Vanderbilt and Kentucky to win the SEC East. But the challenge in the Georgia Dome on Saturday afternoon is altogether different.

And it's not nearly as formidable.

In 2004, UT faced an unbeaten Auburn team still in the running for the national championship. This Saturday, it will be matched against an LSU team that was supposed to be in the running for a national title.

There's a big difference.

Auburn was a talented, resourceful team that - even on its worst day - found a way to win. LSU demonstrated talent and resourcefulness early on but has faded down the stretch.

The fade began much sooner than the statistics or record indicated.

LSU began the season as a consensus national championship contender. It lived up to the preseason hype in the first three games, overwhelming Mississippi State, Middle Tennessee State and Virginia Tech in succession.

Those lopsided victories created an image. But the next game gave you greater insight into LSU.

The Tigers rushed for 299 yards against South Carolina. They held the Gamecocks to 17 yards rushing and limited two South Carolina quarterbacks to 19 completions in 42 attempts. They even scored a touchdown on a fake field goal.

Despite all that, they won by just 12 points.

Granted, South Carolina was no slouch at that point. It had beaten Georgia.

But the Gamecocks ended the regular season 6-6. So did Alabama, against whom LSU eked out a 41-34, last-minute victory.

In fact, LSU hasn't dominated an SEC opponent since manhandling Mississippi State 45-0 in the season opener. That game - not the South Carolina game - proved to be the aberration.

Never mind all of LSU's supposed talent, especially on defense. It has struggled in almost every SEC game.

Sure, that says something for the conference's toughness and balance. It also tells you LSU's talent was either overrated or that it underachieved.

Two weeks ago, Ole Miss - the worst the SEC has to offer - totaled 466 yards in a 41-24 loss to LSU. But the worst was yet to come for the Tigers.

Last Friday, Arkansas amassed 513 yards against LSU in a 50-48 three-overtime victory. That loss, coupled with all of the coaching rumors, has done as much damage to LSU's image as its ranking. A team that seemingly had it all together in September is on the verge of unraveling in November.

It's one thing to give up more than 255 all-purpose yards to Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. But when you can't stop Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick from completing fourth-down passes to his fullback, you might want to rethink your strategy or your personnel.

There's not much LSU can do about the coaching rumors, which connect head coach Les Miles to the head-coaching vacancy at Michigan, and defensive coordinator Bo Pelini to the head-coaching opening at Nebraska.

There's not much LSU can do about injuries, either. Its best player, All-American defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, looks as though he could use a cane just to get off the field. Linebacker Darry Beckwith and strong safety Craig Steltz also have been slowed by injuries. And quarterback Matt Flynn had a problem with his right shoulder in the Arkansas game.

Those injuries have been compounded by LSU's reluctance to play backups.

Neither the rumors nor the injuries will impact LSU any more than its deflating loss to Arkansas. You don't lose a shot at a national championship one week, then play like a national champion the following week.

Despite all of its problems, LSU hasn't faded far enough to be an underdog in the SEC championship game. That's another plus for UT.

The Vols have won five consecutive games and not lost their beloved underdog role. They couldn't ask for more.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.