War eagle this.

At long last, Tennessee is undefeated through September. With big wins over

Syracuse and the hated Florida Gators, the Vols can now concentrate on

defending what’s rightfully theirs: the SEC title.

On Saturday, though, one of the conference’s best regular-season rivalries

will be renewed. Of course, the Vols got the better of the Tigers in last

year’s SEC Championship game, barely, winning 30-29 in Atlanta.

However, head coach Phillip Fulmer and Co. have bigger fish to fry in 1998.

With the Florida monkey finally off their back, the Vols are looking to

make a run at a possible national title.

First, though, they must negotiate a tough conference stretch, which

includes games against the Tigers, Georgia and arch-rival Alabama. The

Tide, though, was exposed as the pretenders everyone knew they were against

an average Arkansas team.

What a crying shame. The noose just keeps getting tighter around old Mike

DuBose’s neck.

Anyway, the Vols are confident that they can escape Jordan-Hare

with a win. The Tigers are indeed a hard team to figure out this

season,

losing badly to an overrated Virginia team one week, then dominating

Ole

Miss the next.

Quarterback Ben Leard looked like a lost puppy early on this season. He

had better improve in a hurry, because Tennessee has its best front seven

since 1990.

The Volunteer pass defense has been a bit shaky thus far, but they’ve made

the big plays when they’ve had to. As far as our rush defense, forget it.

Minus-13 yards for the Gators and just 39 on the ground for Houston last

week.

Let’s see, minus-15 yards last year rushing for Auburn against the Vols?

Face it, Leard’s gonna have to air it out, and that’s a scary proposition

for Auburn fans.

Middle linebacker Al Wilson suffered a slight shoulder dislocation against

the Cougars, but you can bet that he’ll be wreaking havoc on the Tiger

offense, if he’s physically able to, come Saturday.

As for the Vol offense, don’t believe the hype. They’re not as bad

as those whining Gator fans might have you think. They merely played

it

close to the vest against two dangerous opponents.

Quarterback Tee Martin will remind Auburn fans of Dameyune Craig.

The difference, though, is that the Vols actually have an offensive line

that can protect him. Last year, Auburn relied on Craig to scramble around

while opposing defenders chased him around the field.

Leard, on the other hand, is more Freddie Kitchens than Craig. He can

expect to take some serious licks courtesy of the Vol pass rush, which has

racked up 13 sacks in three games.

You’ve been warned, Benny boy.

In addition, the Vols have three established weapons out of the backfield

in Jamal Lewis, Shawn Bryson and Travis Stephens. Add in a veteran line and

potent threats at receiver in Peerless Price and Jeremaine Copeland, and

the Vol offense is as dangerous as ever.

If the Vols keep their heads together in a hostile environment, they

should have little problem in disposing of the Tigers. What many predicted

would be a letdown against Houston turned into a clinic on both sides of

the ball.

On Saturday, class will be in session and the Vols will take Auburn to

school.