Fulmer's Press Conference Comments

TENNESSEE HEAD COACH Phillip Fulmer's MEDIA DAY COMMENTS"To me this is one of the best rivalries in all of college football. I've been really blessed to be a part of it as a player, as an assistant coach and now 17 years as a head football coach. As I do typically, I talked to the players about the history of this game and the great players and great games that have taken place over the years. Certainly, this year the Alabama football team is deserving of its No. 2 ranking, not only because of its play during the course of the year, but how they've played. They've played disciplined, tough football on both sides of the ball and taken care of the football.

"When you look at them from a defensive standpoint, their front stands out. They've played exceptional up front at defensive tackle and defensive end. They have one really young linebacker and another that is a sophomore that has started for a long time; they've played exceptionally well for them. Their secondary (presents) a lot of problems. They're very athletic and they give you lots of different kinds of looks. It is a real challenge for our football team to build on what we did last week against Mississippi State.

"Their offense starts with the run. They do an exceptional job of mixing it up with different styles of run. Their backs and line are outstanding, and they make a lot of good things happen for them. With that they have the big-play potential at wide receiver, and I think John Parker Wilson is one of the better quarterbacks in the league as far as getting the ball where it's supposed to be on time. Again, it's a real challenge for our football team.

"They have a real solid kicking game all the way around, whether it is returning or coverage. There are no obvious issues they should be concerned with their football team. We absolutely must play well in this ballgame. Building on last Saturday means no turnovers, takeaways, penalty discipline. All of those things, when you play in the Southeastern Conference, you have to do those things.

"Our challenge is to get to the practice field and pick up where we left off last week. I thought our work was good, and really for the first time this year it completely carried over into the game with our physicalness and being able to run the ball.

"I know we have to come out of this week with a great understanding of how we win this game vs. Alabama coming from the practice field. Our quarterback play--I've been pleased with Nick (Stephens) for a first-time starter--I think he has had enough games now under his belt. His game management has been good, but there's another step that he can make, and you see progress being made.

"Our offensive line last week was very effective, not that they hadn't been before. After coming off the Georgia game and only running it 11 times, they certainly took the challenge as did our tailbacks.



"In this game, we'll have to have a wide receiver somewhere make a play for us or a tailback make a play for us. It's really difficult against anybody to take the ball eight, 10, 12 or 14 plays and drive for scores. It's particularly difficult versus a team like Alabama, who gives you so many problems. We'll be looking for that play somewhere along the way, and we've been able to make that since Nick has been our quarterback.

"I'm really glad to have Britton (Colquitt) back out there. He certainly made a difference in the field-position game for us. Daniel Lincoln and Chad Cunningham have a real challenge ahead to make a real difference in this game from a kicking standpoint.

"I know our team will be excited to play this game. I know as a staff we're excited to get to work today and go to work on this Alabama team. This is why you coach or go to a place like Tennessee or Alabama, to play in these kinds of games.

We're looking forward to it."