Through all the dropped passes, busted runs and poor execution, the Volunteer offensive unit has been just that most of the season – offensive.

Even though the 10-point effort against Miami was enough to end the Hurricanes’ 26-game home winning streak, it was the Tennessee defense that kept the Vols in the game.

With the UT defenders playing their best football of season, senior quarterback Casey Clausen said it’s time for the offense find its breakout game.

“Guys need to come out and execute,” Clausen said. “We need to play the way we’re capable of play, not play down to our level.”

Clausen threw for a season-low 81 yards against the ‘Canes, but should find easier targets against Mississippi State’s 109th-ranked passing defense.

The Bulldogs have allowed over 280 yards per game this season, while the Vols have only passed for an average of 210.

Clausen hopes to push that average up a little on Saturday.

“There’s a lot of inconsistency when we play games, and I don’t know why,” he said. “We’re still growing and learning, but we have to break out eventually.

“We just need guys to step up and make some plays.”

So far there hasn’t been any consistency in that category. James Banks currently leads the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, but has had problems holding on the ball.

The converted quarterback was benched late in the game against Miami for three drops. Banks recorded five against Alabama.

But Banks isn’t alone when it comes to problems with consistency.

Junior wideout Derrick Tinsley showed big-play potential for the Vols late in the 2002 season and in spurts this season, but UT head coach Phillip Fulmer said the converted tailback had trouble learning his routes earlier in the year.

The latest development has led to Tinsley boosting the Vol offense from a variety of positions.

“We’ve definitely got to get the ball in his hands,” Clausen said about Tinsley. “They is no question that he can make some things happen.”

Tinsley scored the lone touchdown against the ‘Canes on a reverse, but has still had problems in the passing game.

“I’m still learning,” Tinsley said. “I think we’ve (the receivers) all had trouble at different times this season, but we should be ready Saturday.”

Not lost in Tennessee’s offensive woes are its tailbacks.

Jabari Davis started against Miami, but it was reigning starter Cedric Houston that led the team in rushing and helped the offense sustain most of its drives.

Houston said watching from the sidelines has allowed him to focus on running better against the Bulldogs.

“We (the tailbacks) gotta run hard so the passing game can get better too,” Houston said. “I haven’t been running like I need too and I feel like I’m ready now.

“(Sitting on the sidelines) kinda helped me focus.”

Focus and balance are both things Fulmer will look for from his offense during the State game. With conference title hopes still hanging in the air, he said it was time to see both the passing and running game find some consistency.

“We need them both,” Fulmer said. “We did a better job controlling the clock against Miami – now it’s just time we take that to the end zone.

“If we can get that down, we’ll be a pretty good football team.”