Will pride kick in?

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UT's backup quarterback, BJ Coleman, talks about last week's JV game against Hargrave Military Academy and the opportunity to play in Saturday's game against Vanderbilt. Watch »

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UT offensive coordinator, Dave Clawson, talks about the many difficulties with the quarterback situation this season. Watch »

For years, Tennessee has entered the last two games of its regular season trying to avoid an upset. This year - and at least this week - the Vols are living on the other side.

When Saturday's game (TV: WVLT, 12:30 p.m.) at Vanderbilt kicks off, the Vols will be underdogs to their in-state rival for the first time since the 1980s.

And a Vanderbilt win would guarantee Tennessee's worst record since it began playing football in the 1890s.

Despite finding itself in foreign territory, Tennessee receiver Josh Briscoe says the Vols have plenty left to play for in their final two games.

"We're still playing for the pride of the name 'Tennessee' and wearing that 'T' on our helmet," he said. "We're at that point right now where we know we have to win these last two games."

Vanderbilt won't make it easy.

The Commodores (6-4, 4-3 SEC) became bowl eligible for the first time in 26 years with a victory last week over Kentucky. After starting 5-0 and rising as high as No. 13 in the polls, Vandy slogged through a four-game losing streak.

In those four games, Vanderbilt lost the turnover battle. But when the Commodores have been at their best, they've pounced on opponent mistakes and taken advantage for points.

Led by cornerback D.J. Moore, who is tied with Tennessee safety Eric Berry and seven other players for the national lead with six interceptions, Vandy has picked off 16 passes, one more than the Vols and one fewer than Florida's SEC-high 17 picks.

More than that, the Commmodores are plus-seven for the season on turnovers. That's a major reason why they've won six games in spite of an offense that ranks one spot below the Vols, who are 115th nationally with an average of 267.1 yards per game.

It's not the only reason.

UT defensive coordinator John Chavis points to Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson as one of the prime reasons for the Commodores' breakthrough season.

"He's gotten them to play at a level and consistently where other people haven't," Chavis said. "I think the biggest thing is whatever it is that he sold them, they bought into and they believe in."

Tennessee (3-7, 1-5) will put its faith in quarterback Jonathan Crompton this week.

The junior will start for the first time since UT's 14-12 loss at Auburn on Sept. 27, although redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman is also expected to play.

Tailback Arian Foster (thigh bruise) could play after missing the Wyoming game on Nov. 8, however junior Montario Hardesty will make his first start since 2006.

Whatever happens for the Vols on offense, it starts with their quarterback play. And the fact that UT is still struggling to find an effective passer 13 weeks after preseason camp says it all.

"Those aren't good seasons," first-year UT offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. "Been through it before, and hopefully I'll never be through it again."

That's how the Vols feel about this season, too.

A loss to Vanderbilt would be UT's eighth this season, leaving Ohio State as the only program in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision to have never lost eight games in a season.

Phillip Fulmer will coach his final game at UT after 17 seasons next week against Kentucky, and a group of seniors who have been part of two losing seasons want to finish strong for themselves and their ousted coach.

That's where pride kicks in.

"We've got a tradition going on here," UT defensive tackle Walter Fisher said. "It's definitely a pride thing. Just to go out on two wins and prove that this team could win in the SEC, because I don't care what anybody says, we are a good team. Just like coach (Fulmer) said, 'We're the best 3-7 team anybody's probably ever seen.' "

Whether or not that's the case, Briscoe says his teammates will be ready for the Commodores.

"I think we're still ready to play," he said. "The way we practiced really showed this team hasn't given up. We're not just waiting for Kentucky to come. We're wanting to send coach Fulmer out on a good note."

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

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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