Q: I have great confidence in "Chief," but everyone who wears Orange on Saturdays has to be concerned about giving up 64 points to Vandy and Kentucky. What does coach Chavis see as the problem? We don't seem to be as banged up on the defensive side of the ball as the offense is. We are playing with essentially the same lineup as we have had the last five-six weeks. I know we need help at strong safety but that can't be the whole story. Is it as simple as not being fired up for the last two weeks? Is there some defect that Vandy exposed and Kentucky exploited? Are we looking at having a "50'' hung on us by Auburn? Because that's where we are headed if we get the same effort Saturday.

jjohnson@sunbeltinsulation.com

GRIFF: Chavis and his players agree the Vols have not had the necessary focus the past two games. That has led to some breakdowns in assignments. In all fairness to Vandy QB Jay Cutler and Kentucky QB Shane Boyd, both were amazingly accurate. Both teams did a good job getting rid of the ball quickly, and UT's secondary has been softer with Roshaun Fellows out. I think you'll see a different Vols' team Saturday.

Q: Does Tennessee have any football numbers that areretired? If not, is this a policy or just a fact that none have been elevated to that status?

tom_schubert@yahoo.com

GRIFF: UT does have some retired numbers: 32, 49, 61 and 62. The numbers are retired in memory of four Vols who died in World War II. No. 32 was worn by Bill Nowling, a fullback at UT from 1940-1942. No. 49 was worn by Rudy Klarer, a guard in 1941-1942. No. 61 was worn by Willis Tucker, who lettered in 1940 and was a sprint star on the UT track team. No. 62 was Clyde Fuson, a fullback on the 1942 team.

Q: I attended the UT-South Carolina game. Tennessee could not run the ball until Brent Schaeffer came into the game. Schaeffer opened up running lanes with his scrambling and made the South Carolina defense look utterly confused. In his post-game show, Lou Holtz said that it was Schaffer who made the difference. Schaeffer also has a great arm as his bomb on the run to C.J. Fayton in the aforementioned South Carolina game proved. If he's able to go, why in the world would he not get the start? Auburn's down seven is so strong it's imperative the Vols spread the field to have any chance of establishing the run. Remember this game is on astro-turf and. ...well, have you ever seen Michael Vick on astroturf? Additionally, I still wonder whySchaffer saw such little action in the first match-up with Auburn. Ainge threw 35 times, Schaeffer just five. Please enlighten Mr. Griff.

mdjgalloway@bellsouth.net

GRIFF: Schaeffer has incredible physical skills, no doubt, but at this point Rick Clausen has a better command and understanding of the offense. I've seen Vick plenty, and I think Schaeffer is somewhat comparable. However, Vick had the benefit of a redshirt season before he took over at Virginia Tech. I think with a year under his belt, Schaeffer will be ready to command the offense better. In the first matchup, UT fell behind 31-3 at the half, and the coaches felt Ainge was better equipped to handle a pass-heavy offense at that time.

Q: I was at the Kentucky game with my dad. We had conversation during the game to question some of the play call decisions.

There are times when a team needs to be aggressive, and set the right tone for players and fans. There are others, where conservative thinking should prevail and keep your team within striking distance.

We were both perplexed by the decision making at yesterday's game. We felt the decision on fourth and one at the goal line, to attempt a field goal, showed lack of confidence in their team. Even if they don't make it, it's early in second half, with UK having the ball at their own 1 yard line.

And later in the quarter, with a chance to get the game within one score (9 down to 6), they try for it on fourth and three.

It appeared to us that the wrong call was made on both of these situations. Since both were not executed, it does make it easier to criticize. What were your thoughts at the time this was happening.

ccantrell@comdata.com

GRIFF: I was a bit surprised UT didn't go for it at the 1-yard line the first time around. However, it was still early enough in the game where Fulmer wasn't necessarily ready to hit any panic buttons. I think he believed that, given time, the Vols would take over the game. The second time around, a fourth-and-3, I was also surprised. However, given the fact that Kentucky had already blocked two kicks, I can understand it. It's easy to second guess, and the head coach opened himself up to that without a doubt.

Q: You'll probably have too much mail to read so you won't see this, I but thought I'd express my views. Just finished watching the game with Kentucky and I still don't think we have coaches for punt or kickoff coverage or for the defensive backfield. Florida is gonna have some coaches that need jobs.

Just heard Trev Alberts on ESPN say that Auburn would run up the score big time on Tennessee and it's probably true.

If I could pass anything along to Fulmer, I'd tell him to look at the Auburn-Alabama game. For the most part, Alabama kept the Auburn QB off stride. Then I'd have him watch a Colts game to make sure the Offensive Line knew how to protect the QB. Not that they don't usually do this, but do you think Peyton would have all those TDs if he didn't have all day to throw? I must say that Clausen has sure surprised all of us hasn't he?

It kinda galls me that Kentucky has six or seven blocked kicks and we have what? One? Hope you and yours had a nice Thanksgiving and you didn't eat too much. I'm still trying to get over it.

LLONG32@aol.com

GRIFF: I think UT has some issues with the number of players available to play on special teams. Normally, those players are reserve linebackers and reserve defensive backs. The Vols, obviously are short on linebackers, with Nick Wilson's suspension, Kevin Simon's injury and Marvin Mitchell's injury. The defensive backs are very young. I don't necessarily think it's all coaching.

As for Fulmer watching tape of the Alabama game, I'm sure he's way ahead of you on that one. The key isn't just scheme though -- it's having the players and the talent to execute it.

Q: I read on the Forums that there was a fear over Spurrier returning to the college ranks at USC. Fear! I can't phantom any of the top teams in the SEC worrying that much about Steve and the program he will bring to USC. I for one wish he had gone to Vanderbilt or Kentucky. USC is coming along with a descent program. But if the SEC is to remain the reigning power of college football something must be done with a few programs in both the SEC East & West. The fearsome Big Ten eroded considerably because the conference compromised their standards for a few teams that wouldn't belly up. I feel the SEC coaches are glad a top- notch coach replaced Holtz. I also believe they would love to see a few other programs updated to at least the level USC is at this time. Fear! Only that the conference may not retain its high standard of competition. If fan interest opens the door for an article on this area, I'd love to hear your comments about the need for upgrade at the bottom of the barrel.

Vol-in -Calif

rpdunn@pacbell.net

GRIFF: Fear? I have not heard that from any coaches. Unless Spurrier changes his ways, it could actually be a relief for schools not to have to recruit against a Bulldog like Lou Holtz. Once he has the players in camp, Spurrier is great at coaching them up. He has a proven system - provided he has talent. It will be interesting to see how things shake out for the Gamecocks.

Q: Now that Steve Spurrier is the coach at SC, what do you think the chances are that Jonathan Crompton will consider going or will go to South Carolina and play for Spurrier? Also, do you think Crompton is really committed to Tennessee in view of the year Ainge and Schaffer have had?

cboling@vhcc.edu

GRIFF: I'm not a mind reader, and I don't like the idea of trying to project what a 17-year-old is thinking. Crompton is a very good prospect, but the Vols can and will win with or without him, just as they did when superstar prospects Chris Simms and Chris Leak elected to go elsewhere.

Personally, I think the Crompton stuff is somewhat overblown. Let the year finish out. See if both Ainge and Schaeffer stay at UT, and let the kid make his decision.

Q: I read your Ask Mike column all of the time. I used to like when it was longer in the paper, but they cut it for the UT LEGENDS stories and those put me to sleep.

With all of the injuries to the leading QBs in the National Football League, what ever happened to Casey? You used to have the pulse on his career at UT, then it seemed we stopped running stories on him.

Any new news on No. 7?

no1no7fan@hotmail.com

GRIFF: Casey has had a few tryouts, and I think he's itching for even more. He's been back home in California helping his younger brother, Jimmy, who's on the verge of breaking a state record for TD passes in one season. Casey is still working out, and I'm not so sure he won't get another opportunity at some point.