Considering different Bulldogs

Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis could tolerate a rehash of Saturday's Georgia game for only so long.

Turns out, he made it through six questions - barely longer than three minutes in real time - before closing the book on one Bulldogs team to open the book on another group of Bulldogs.

"Our focus needs to go on in a hurry to Mississippi State," Chavis said to a collection of reporters Tuesday morning. "I'm not going to take any more questions about last week.

"That one's gone, and our focus needs to be on Mississippi State."

That's the same refrain players and coaches had after losses to Cal and Florida earlier this season.

Except that this time, the Vols happened to be on the winning end of a lopsided score.

Yet in advance of a trip to Mississippi State on Saturday (TV: Pay-per-view, 2:30 p.m. EDT), forgetting that 35-14 victory over Georgia might be the best thing No. 25 Tennessee can do.

The confidence can linger, just not so much that it gets in the way of the Vols' chances to win the wide-open SEC East.

The Vols have handled disappointment so far, bouncing back to 1-1 in the SEC and 3-2 overall. Now they'll get their first chance to prove they handle success.

After Saturday, the trappings were everywhere.

Wide receiver Josh Briscoe had 20 congratulatory text messages and plenty of voice mails.

Offensive lineman Jacques McClendon had a lot, too.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer's voice mail was full by Sunday evening and his e-mail was overflowing with congratulatory messages.

"I appreciate them, I really do," Fulmer said.

At the same time, he says, "You've got to turn the page and move on. There's always that concern after a tough loss or a big win. You've got to go on. You've got 12 opportunities, and you have to make the most of every one."

For quarterback Erik Ainge, the easiest way to forget last Saturday's win was to get back into the film room and begin looking at Mississippi State.

There's a lot to digest there, at least defensively.

It starts with safety Derek Pegues, one of the SEC's best defensive backs, and defensive end Titus Brown, who has nine quarterback hurries and is second in the SEC with six sacks.

Those are just two of many, many faces the Vols will see on defense this week.

And the Bulldogs' pass defense jumps out, too.

Opponents are averaging just 193 yards a game passing. South Carolina's 279 yards is the most Mississippi State (4-2, 1-2) has given up all season, and three opponents - LSU, Auburn and Tulane - failed to top 200 yards.

"It's 100-something, 100-something all the way down the list," Ainge said, referring to Mississippi State's opponent passing totals. "We know we have our work cut out for us, and we know if we don't lose, good things are going to happen for us."

That's where amnesia - and maturity - takes over.

At one point against Georgia, Ainge was the only senior on the field. On defense, the Vols are barely more experienced.

But that doesn't mean Tennessee doesn't have maturity, says guard Anthony Parker.

"We've got the older guys who can have the mentality and let everybody else know that we got that one win, but that does nothing for us," he said. "It's time to move on to the rest of them, and take it one game at a time."

Cliche as it is, that's how Fulmer feels, too.

"You do everything you can to turn the page," he said. "I believe our team is mature enough to turn the page. I really do."

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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