QUARTERBACK (A+)

Erik Ainge's execution was nearly flawless from the time he threaded a needle on his first TD pass to Bret Smith. Ainge showed poise in the pocket and didn't make any crucial mistakes while also making plays off his scrambles. Ainge also stayed cool throwing out of his own end zone. Truly, a coming of age.

RUNNING BACKS (B+)

LaMarcus Coker had some nice bursts to get the UT running game going and Arian Foster ran with power and conviction both inside and outside of the tackles. Foster also showed some short yardage running skills near the goal line while securing the ball. Montario Hardesty came close to a costly fumble but was ruled down.

RECEIVERS (B)

Bret Smith dropped a pass, but atoned for it quickly by reeling in a 16-yard TD catch. Tight end Brad Cottam dropped a pass, but fellow tight end Chris Brown picked up the slack with four catches in traffic for 14 yards. Robert Meachem appeared unstoppable at times with seven catches for 98 yards.

OFFENSIVE LINE (A-)

UT's pass protection was premium, and the Vols' tackles held firm against the SEC's best defensive end tandem even with the Sanford Stadium crowd roaring in their ears. There was one fumbled center-QB exchange, and Eric Young had a false start. Strong surges in short yardage helped.

DEFENSIVE LINE (C+)

Appeared to have trouble adjusting to some Georgia formations that created an extra gap, and were often pushed off the line by the Bulldogs. Turk McBride was active throughout the game, but the ends lost contain on a few occasions and failed to register a sack.

LINEBACKERS (B)

Marvin Mitchell's speedy backside pursuit led to a fumble and Jerod Mayo was there for a game-clinching recovery. Mitchell registered the team's only sack and also had a tackle-for-loss. Had some trouble getting off blocks in the first half.

SECONDARY (A-)

Turned in arguably the two biggest plays of the game with momentum-turning interceptions (Jonathan Wade and Antwan Stewart) that led to points. Wade also had eight tackles and Demetrice Morley had seven. Morley dropped an interception, however. Stewart was flagged for a defensive hold that sustained a Georgia field goal drive.

SPECIAL TEAMS (D)

James Wilhoit's kickoffs were strong and he made a 37-yard field goal. Wilhoit missed an extra point, however. Antonio Wardlow blocked a punt and recovered it for a TD. Georgia returned a kick and a punt for a TD. Coker brought a spark to the kick return game with four returns for 93 yards. Lucas Taylor struggled with two kick returns for 32 yards.

COACHING (A-)

David Cutcliffe's play-calling was excellent, as he set Georgia up time and time again for big plays and third down conversions. Cutcliffe also protected Ainge from a great deal of pressure by getting the play-action game going. John Chavis put his defense in position to make two momentum-changing interceptions.

OVERALL (B+)

UT coach Phillip Fulmer has taught his players to handle adversity. The Vols showed poise and confidence after falling behind 24-7, a sure sign of maturity. Tennessee also showed they could go toe-to-toe with Georgia when the game turned physical.