Game Day - Nov. 22

Tennessee vs.Vanderbilt

For years and years, the Tennessee-Vanderbilt game has been played from the same angle. The Volunteers are usually playing for bowl positioning or to win the Southeastern Conference's East Division, while the Commodores are playing strictly for pride.

This time, that shoe has switched feet. All UT has at stake Saturday in Nashville is a chance to give coach Phillip Fulmer a going-away present, while Vandy can improve its bowl status and seal a winning season.

At 3-7 overall and 1-5 in the SEC, the Vols are trying to avoid the worst season in school history. One more loss will clinch that ignominious accomplishment.

Fulmer, who needs wins in the last two games to finish his UT career exactly 100 games over .500, said a week off has been good for his battered squad.

The likes of Dan Williams, Walter Fisher and Ellix Wilson -- all key players on defense who have been less than 100 percent in the last three weeks or more -- are closer to 100 percent now.

That should help the Vols against a Commodore offense that showed signs of life in a 31-24 win last week at Kentucky, getting 273 total yards from QB Chris Nickson.

Still, UT should be able to muzzle Vandy's attack, which scored 49 points during a four game losing streak. The question is, can the Vols find any kind of offense to test the Commodores' offense?

Fulmer's QB wheel of fortune has landed on Jonathan Crompton, who returns to the starting role for the second time this year. Look for B.J. Coleman, who impressed during a JV game last week, to get some playing time behind Crompton.