KNOXVILLE -- The words and notes of "Rocky Top" are starting to sound a little clearer.

After dropping two of their first three games in embarrassing fashion, the Tennessee faithful were starting to slur while attempting to bellow out lyrics to their fight song.

Montario Hardesty points to his wrist to symbolize the Vols "clocking in" to get the program back among the best in the SEC. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Coach Phillip Fulmer -- the longest tenured head coach in the Southeastern Conference with a street on campus bearing his name -- started to hear the grinding of the ax that might end his run of wearing an orange and white headset.

But with the Volunteers demolishing then-No. 12 Georgia 35-14 in front of 107,052 at Neyland Stadium, talk of a conference championship is starting to creep into the minds of diehards. Send your Thank You notes and cards to Auburn and LSU for downing Florida in consecutive weeks to make a shot at a ring possible.

Earning an SEC crown is hardly a done deal. Tennessee still lacks four foes who have all been ranked in the top 15 at some point this season.

Whether a title shot in Atlanta is in the cards or not, the future appears bright for a program surrounded by negativity thus far in '07.

Tailbacks Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty combined for 168 rushing yards on 31 carries and four touchdowns. While dancing on the checkerboard both backs pointed to imaginary watches on their wrists.

Center Josh McNeil said afterwards that before each game assistant coach Kurt Roper points at his watch and tells the team it's time to clock in and go to work.

How ironic is it that the Vols clocked back in so the coaching staff could continue to do so?

However, the offense hasn't been the problem to date. Defensive coordinator John Chavis has had as many recorders, cameras and notepads in his face following sub-par performances this year as anybody.

In the season opening loss to California and the debacle in "The Swamp" the 'D' looked like they left the varsity at home, overpursuing, missing tackles and only getting uglier as the games went on.

Naturally, prognosticators envisioned the Bulldogs running all over UT behind Thomas Brown and Knowshon Moreno. Yet, the duo was held out of the end zone and to a minuscule 2.6 yards per carry.

Arian Foster shows the crowd he is pointing to his watch after scoring one of his three TDs. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

The Tennessee offense not giving up yet another turnover and touchdown, no special teams breakdowns and deep kickoffs from a finally healthy Britton Colquitt all forced Georgia to earn every inch.

Before we start scratching each other's backs, keep in mind that the Dawgs started three freshmen on the offensive line.

Chavis is sure to be pointing at his watch all week as well in preparation for an Alabama front that boasts a pair of legitimate All-SEC hogs in tackle Andre Smith and center Antoine Caldwell.

Fulmer was as animated as ever in his opening remarks during the postgame press conference, noting his displeasure over a story that ran saying former players felt the program was headed downhill.

"It was an incredible cheap shot is what it was. An incredible cheap shot," he said.

Georgia was a nice win and two weeks of preparation and practice paid off. There's no bye week, no home crowd and Tuscaloosa's heir apparent to Paul "Bear" Bryant loom.

If UT takes that one by three touchdowns, go ahead and couple the Thank You cards with some apologetic balloons. Only this time, address them to Knoxville.

Danny Parker is the Times-Gazette sports editor.