Numerous reports are pouring in from ESPN and the Knoxville News Sentinel that Lane Kiffin will be named the new head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers on Monday. Athletic director, Mike Hamilton is apparently waiting till after Fulmer's final game against Kentucky to make the announcement as to not detract from "Phillip Fulmer Appreciation Day" tomorrow. The Vols are looking to close out the season and Fulmer's tenure with a win against the visiting Wildcats. Phil Fulmer is undefeated against Kentucky and will hopefully continue one of the longest winning streaks in a series in the country.

Well this is it, if Tennessee can somehow some way upset the number 2 team in the country we can than possibly win out finishing 8-4 and go to a decent bowl game. However, lose and the best UT can finish is 7-5 and considering how many SEC teams will be bowl eligible, UT could possibly have to sit at home this post season. With that being said, I think there is a lot of positive energy surrounding the team right now. The team finally has six permanent captains, including Eric Berry, the first sophomore to be selected a UT captain. Fulmer picked the captains last Friday. Fulmer also made practices more physical last week and it showed against Mississippi State. Of course there is the extra risk of injury now in practice now, but the old adage, you practice like you play seems to have held true last Saturday night. Tennessee will have to be at their best from the first snap but it they can somehow pull it off this week’s game could go down as one of the best victories in school history.

Phil Fulmer finally benched John Crompton following his abysmal performance against Auburn two weeks ago. Nick Stephens, the redshirt-sophomore, got the start last Saturday against Northern Illinois. While not incredibly impressive, the Flower Mound, Texas native, did show impressive arm strength most notably on a 52-yard touchdown pass to Denarious Moore and throughout the night was much more accurate than Crompton had been all season. Hopefully, Stephens will continue to improve in practice this week because the Georgia defense will be nothing like the Northern Illinois Huskies. The formula for success this Saturday will be what it has had to be all season when it became apparent UT lacked a dynamic quarterback. Lean on the defense, establish the run, and don't turn the ball over.

It’s pretty simply really, play power football. The team that has rushed for the most yards in the rivalry has won the contest the past 16 out of 18 years. Not to mention it will play to the apparent strengths of the Tennessee offense. Arian Foster has rushed for 100 yards in both games this season. Lennon Creer and Montario Hardesty have also looked impressive in their opportunities. It will also take the burden off Jon Crompton to make the plays that will win the game. As well, as keep Tim Tebow and the prolific gators offense off the field.

A two tight end, two wide receiver set with Gerald Jones and Lucas Taylor as the wide outs and Brandon Warren and Luke Stocker as the tight ends will provide Crompton with four quality targets and provide maximum pass protection. Giving Crompton time to take five step drops and go through only 2 to 3 receiver progression. This allows the strong armed quarterback to make easier decisions and hopefully be a more effective passer, and considering he is currently last in the conference in that category he can only get better. I still have faith that Crompton is a talented quarterback. He would not have been offered a scholarship to play for the Big Orange if this was not the case.

The coaching staff needs to change the offense to play to his talents as well as the rest of his teammates. Crompton is not quite yet the cerebral quarterback that can manage a west coast style offense that offensive coordinator Dan Clawson wants to run. I am confident that with time and more game experience for Crompton this could be possible. However, with what is by far the best team UT has played thus far the game plan has to be about what can win the game not what you want to run.

If Tennessee can rush for at least 150 yards, keep the penalties low, and not commit any turnovers they will have a chance. I don’t expect Florida to score a ton of points if Tennessee plays effective. The defense has looked down right dominant at times and already has seven interceptions.

My final prediction, Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty combine for 178 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Eric Berry has another pick 6 off Tebow and Tennessee wins 24-21.

Well to put it simply last night was an absolute disaster for the Tennessee Vols. The Big Orange seemed very unprepared last night John Crompton was 19-41 for only 189 yards with 2 interceptions and one fumble and failed to get in a rhythm all night. Dan Clawson’s play calling was suspect he failed to move the pocket and get Crompton away from UCLA's pass rush. Montario Hardersty played very well all night as well as Arian Foster with the exception of his key fumble in the red zone. Hardesty had 2 touchdowns and 66 total yards. Meanwhile, Arian Foster earned a hundred yards and averaged 7.4 yards a carry but was only given 13. The defense was pretty stout the majority of the night except UCLA's final drive of the 4th quarter when the Bruins marched 70 yards in less than 2 minutes. Special teams were also terrible for the Vols last night. Chad Cunningham had 1 punt blocked that led to a UCLA touchdown and Daniel Lincoln was 1 for 4 although 2 were from over 50 yards. Hopefully the offense will be able to get it together over the course of current bye week and leading up to the UAB game on September 13. Because a performance like last night’s will not cut it in SEC play.

The Vols had their final scrimmage of training camp this past Thursday and the running game proved to be very effective. Montario Hardesty ran for 79 yards on only four carries. Arian Foster looked as fast as ever has which will reassure fans that remember him being caught from behind on more than one occasion last season. The defensive line also looked improved. Ben Martin, Robert Ayers, and Wes Brown all recorded a sack each. John Crompton also looked ready to lead the Vols into the Rose Bowl on Labor Day. Cutting down on interceptions and other mistakes that he had in the beginning of camp. Most exciting is the chemistry between the quarterback and first offensive coordinator Dan Clawson.

The Vols had their first scrimmage of fall camp today and the offense failed to impress. However, they were without the services of starting running back Arian Foster who was held out as a precaution because of a sore knee. John Crompton was 12 of 16 for 114 yards and 1 interception. The pick came when a defensive lineman tipped the ball into the waiting hands of Demetrice Morley. Montario Hardesty also failed to make any ground on the starting job with Foster out he fumbled on the first offensive series. Considering that turnovers played a huge role in 3 of Tennessee's loses last year the fact the offense is still having problems protecting the football is troubling.