Strange: Vols' opponents have edge in optimism : govolsxtra.com

I'm not going to try to sell you that Tennessee's 13-9 win over Northern Illinois on Saturday night was any turning point.

It was what it was. The Vols labored to subdue a visitor from the Mid-American Conference. One significant play could have produced a different outcome. Toledo or Central Michigan might have done as well as UT or better.

For the sake of this exercise, however, pause for a moment and try to view the Vols' latest outing as a glass half full.

If you're a Tennessee fan, what do you take away from 13-9 that offers encouragement for a difficult road ahead?

I see two possibilities.

One, Nick Stephens handled himself well in his first start at quarterback. Perhaps he upgrades a glaring deficiency.

Two, the defense bent at times but didn't break. Keeping an opponent out of the end zone generally puts you in the win column. Five games in, UT's defense ranks fifth nationally in fewest yards allowed.

Beyond that, well, the weather was nice.

In fact, an overview of the weekend should provide even more encouragement for Tennessee's six remaining SEC opponents than it does for the Vols.

n Georgia: The Bulldogs are rested, ready and humbled for Tennessee's visit to Sanford Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Thanks to an open date, Georgia had a chance to heal up from being pounded by Alabama on Sept. 27. Most notably, All-SEC tailback Knowshon Moreno says he'll be fully recovered from the chipped elbow against Alabama.

And don't discount the revenge factor. The Vols manhandled Georgia last year in Neyland, 35-14, and routed the Bulldogs 51-33 on their 2006 visit to Athens.

n Vanderbilt: A 14-13 win over Auburn legitimized the Commodores. They're for real, 5-0 for the first time since 1943, 3-0 in the SEC for the first time since 1950.

Mackenzi Adams' clutch showing in relief of injured Chris Nickson at quarterback further bolsters Vandy's confidence.

n Kentucky: OK, the Wildcats suffered their first loss of the season. But put in context, a 17-14 setback at No. 2 Alabama is more encouraging than Tennessee's squeaker win at home over Northern Illinois.

Kentucky's defense proved its national ranking in several categories was no fluke achieved against inferior competition. Alabama scored one offensive touchdown.

UK quarterback Mike Hartline took some big-game strides, throwing a pair of TD passes late.

Finally, the Wildcats know they'll be even better with Randall Cobb, Micah Johnson and Ricky Lumpkin coming back from injuries.

n South Carolina: Maybe, just maybe, the Gamecocks have solved their quarterback dilemma. Chris Smelley passed for 327 yards and three touchdowns, going the distance in a 31-24 win at Ole Miss.

Furthermore, All-SEC receiver Kenny McKinley returned from a three-game injury absence with four catches.

n Alabama: Granted, a close-call home win over Kentucky is no reason to hold a Bear Bryant Day parade. However, Glen Coffee's 218-yard rushing day was the best for an Alabama back in 12 years.

The defense scored another touchdown - that's five TDs the Crimson Tide has scored either on defense or special teams this year. Given Tennessee's propensity for self-inflicted wounds, Alabama ought to be licking its chops.

n Mississippi State: The Bulldogs had an open date. That was encouragement in its own right, considering State got pummelled by Georgia Tech and LSU the two previous weeks.

Presumably, former walk-on Tyson Lee had a productive week of practice after his first game as the No. 1 quarterback.

Still, the most uplifting facet of the off week had to be watching Tennessee's offense continue to sputter. The scoring-challenged Bulldogs know they'll have a shot in their Oct. 18 visit to Neyland Stadium.

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strangem@knoxnews.com.