By Barker Davis
The key to Tennessee's season is sitting right in the Volunteers' pocket. Tennessee junior quarterback Erik Ainge will carry the weight of the state on his shoulders this afternoon when he takes the field against No. 9 California at Neyland Stadium. Ainge and coach Phil Fulmer endured a storm of criticism during last season's 5-6 debacle, the program's first losing season since 1988. Fulmer responded to his first losing season in 14 years on Rocky Top with the requisite face-saving staff changes -- most notably replacing maligned offensive coordinator Randy Sanders with former Vols assistant and noted quarterback guru David Cutcliffe. With the rest of the team seemingly primed to return the program to its typically lofty standards, Ainge represents the team's primary 2006 question mark. "I think we're all anxious to see what strides our offense has made in the offseason," Fulmer said. "Erik has certainly taken some positive steps in practice and scrimmages, but the proof in this game is all about the Saturday pudding." That's not exactly a no-pressure endorsement from the Vols' boss, but Fulmer is in no mood for word-mincing diplomacy these days.
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