QB Change at UT?

Coach Phillip Fulmer has stated he will give Nick Stevens an equal number of snaps with Jon Crompton in this week's practice. Under pressure from the media and the fans, he has made it no secret that he is not at all happy with the 8 for 23 passing by Crompton in the 14-12 loss to Auburn, and that he will be giving others a chance. Crompton's passing has been the worst of any QB during the Phillip Fulmer era at Tennessee. Other than Nick Stevens, some fans are urging that BJ Coleman also be considered.

While there is no doubt that Crompton did not live up to expectations in the Auburn and Florida games, it is fair to say that the loss at UCLA should not be attributed to him alone. He hit several key passes in a frantic drive to tie the game in the 4th quarter that took less than a minute.

If it happens, a mid-season change at QB for Tennessee will not be unprecedented. It has happened several times over the past 20 years. Casey Clauson, who passed for 9577 yards at Tennessee, second only to Peyton Manning, started out as a 3rd stringer before moving up win the starting job in 2000.

Expect both Crompton and Stephens to play in Saturday's game against Northern Illinois.
While Northern Illinois is catching UT at a tough time, and some expect the score to be ugly,
I am sure that Coach Fulmer is reminding the team that Northern Illinois opened the season at Alabama a few years ago, and upset the Crimson Tide. The Vols can't afford to be looking forward to Georgia next week.

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