ATLANTA, Ga. -- In a college football season where the insane became a reality and the impossible turned likely, it only seemed fitting that a Tennessee team that many deemed fortunate just to be in the Southeastern Conference championship would persevere over an LSU squad that spent several weeks ranked as the No. 1 team in the country.

Tennessee cornerback Brent Vinson lays a heavy hit on LSU receiver Demetrius Byrd to cause an incomplete pass. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

The Orange and White appeared to have everything leaning in their favor prior to the coin toss.

Tiger coach Les Miles called the cameras around a few hours before kickoff to let the world know he was not taking the same position at Michigan -- a stance that he took once again after the game's conclusion.

"I can't be two places," Miles said. "I've got a great place. I'm home."

Arguably LSU's two most important players, quarterback Matt Flynn and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, either wouldn't play or would take the field wounded.

Add to the pot that defensive coordinator Bo Pelini was leaving soon to take over as head coach at Nebraska, and the Vols appeared to have quite the formula for a mental edge.

Vol freshman Gerald Jones (4) had 39 yards rushing on only two attempts. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

But, it wasn't meant to be as Tennessee returned to Knoxville with that "just kissed your sister" taste in their mouth as Tiger cornerback Jonathan Zenon proved film study pays off by jumping all over an Erik Ainge pass and returning it for the game-winning score.

"We knew when they lined up in that formation what they would run," Zenon said. "We fought back all day long, and our preparation was what made the difference, especially on that play."

"Just as much as he made a good play, I made a bad decision," Ainge said.

The 21-14 victory was enough to propel LSU (11-2) to the national championship game versus Ohio State.

Meanwhile, the Vols (9-4) return to sunny Tampa Bay to play in the Outback Bowl for the second straight year, this time against Wisconsin.

UT hasn't been to a BCS bowl since their 31-21 Fiesta loss to Nebraska following the '99 season. Their last SEC ring reads 1998.

Dennis Rogan (41) and Eric Berry converge on LSU's Richard Murphy (26). (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

"I hate this for them. I absolutely hate this for them," Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said.

While some attempt to pin goat horns on Ainge, a senior quarterback that's thrown for 3,157 yards this season and is now one of just three UT signal-callers ever to toss 70 or more TD passes, it always takes a team effort to lose in football.

"I'm not going to sit here (at the postgame press conference) and let him take all the blame," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer interjected as question after question pointed at his QB's mistakes. "We could have darn sure played better in a lot of places. You win as a team. You lose as a team."

Don't count the Vols out for a chance at redemption in Atlanta soon. History has a way of shining on them after a senior quarterback graduates, including a national title in '98 after Peyton Manning departed. Not to mention, they return 15 of 22 starters, not including punter Britton Colquitt and kicker Daniel Lincoln.

A deep pool of talent has only started to scratch the surface at Rocky Top, including several freshmen who contributed during the title game.

Defensive back Eric Berry intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble and totaled seven tackles.

"Eric Berry is going to be, if he stays healthy, one of the best players to play in the secondary in this league before it's all over with," Fulmer said. "He's doing really well and grown up a lot during the course of the year and will just keep getting better."

Eric Berry picks off a pass with 1:33 left in the third quarter. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

While lining up at quarterback, Gerald Jones ran for 20 yards on third-and-two on the game's opening series and 19 more yards on their first possession of the second half.

"Gerald Jones is talented," Cutcliffe said. "It's not just his ability. He can throw it. He's a good decision-maker. He's got quarterback-type skills."

Brent Vinson again gutted out a full game at cornerback despite playing with a left shoulder that needs surgery. His hit on LSU receiver Demetrius Byrd in the fourth quarter separated the man from the ball and rippled oohs and ahhs through the 73,832 in attendance.

Dennis Rogan had an atypical performance as a punt returner but subbed in for DeAngelo Willingham at corner and registered three tackles.

Lennon Creer picked up his freshman mate in the return game with a 50-yard kickoff return that was the longest in league title game history.

Lincoln missed a pair of field goals (30, 51) but was a consistent weapon during the season.

Receiver Denarius Moore couldn't come up with balls thrown to his numbers when the Vols had to have a first down late but earned the trust of Ainge earlier in the year.