SEC Football 2008: Tennessee

Photo by Saul Young

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer celebrates after Daniel Lincoln kicks a field goal against Vanderbilt last season.

Photo by Saul Young

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer celebrates after Daniel Lincoln kicks a field goal against Vanderbilt last season.

HOOVER, Ala. - Two days' worth of talk at SEC Media Days hasn't produced much buzz about Tennessee.

Unless, of course, the topic is subpoenas.

But despite news of UT coach Phillip Fulmer's call to testify in a former Alabama booster's defamation lawsuit against the NCAA, the topic in Hoover is football.

And, on the field at least, the Vols figure to start the season flying under the radar.

East division rivals Georgia and Florida are both serious contenders for the national title, not just the SEC title. In the SEC West, Auburn and LSU both have plenty of talent to compete as well.

So far this week, the Vols have found themselves in the second-tier of conversation.

But a little preseason anonymity doesn't bother defensive end Robert Ayers.

"Those teams that are getting a lot of the hype, they deserve it," Ayers said Thursday. "Teams like Georgia and Florida, they're what makes the SEC a good conference."

Coming off a 10-win season in which they won the SEC East, Tennessee is hoping to be back in the championship discussion this season.

And, despite breaking in a new quarterback - junior Jonathan Crompton replaces Erik Ainge - and lingering questions about its defensive line, Tennessee has plenty of talent to do it.

For starters, there's an offensive line that should rank among the nation's best.

There's a plethora of wide receivers led by Lucas Taylor, fresh off a 1,000-yard season in 2007.

The Vols have a secondary that is again among the best in the conference, perhaps even the country.

There's talent, if not experience, at linebacker.

And, of course, tailback Arian Foster is poised to become Tennessee's all-time leading rusher.

"I think Arian has stayed under the radar, has been unappreciated a bit," Fulmer said. "My hope is he stays healthy and takes his game to the next level and becomes the all-time leading rusher in Tennessee history. When you think of all the backs that have been through there, that's quite impressive."

Florida, just two years removed from a national title, and Georgia, fresh off a No. 2 finish, are impressive themselves.

And South Carolina, while still searching for a solution at quarterback, should have one of the best defenses in the conference.

While Tennessee is content with being in the shadows for now, Ayers will make sure his teammates don't forget it, either.

"It's a lot of motivation when people are overlooking you," he said. "It's motivation to want to win. It's something we can use in the locker room, to encourage each other.

"I'm not saying I wouldn't want to be the team with the hype, but either way, you use it as motivation."

When the media's predicted order of finish is released today, Tennessee will likely be third, behind Florida and Georgia in its division.

Fulmer, who reiterated his desire to win another championship again Thursday, doesn't even mind so much.

"I am excited about the fact that you're always looking for ways to motivate your football team any way that you can," Fulmer said. "I appreciate y'all's help picking us third or fourth in the East. (That) has served us pretty well at different times. We'll certainly use that."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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