Coach Slacker, armed with a fat, three-year contract extension and two recruiting classes in the fold, embarks in Year 3 in Knoxville by targeting the SEC East Division as the Vols' target.

They came within seconds of winning the East last season before Kentucky kicked a field goal to force overtime and then took the title in OT. Now, with a deep defensive line and linebackers, and a solid run game built around senior tailback Ryan Love, Slacker insists that UT close the deal.

No. 19 Iowa 45, Vols 27: A couple of INTs and an 81-yard TD run turn UT's narrow fourth-quarter lead into a collapse in rainy Iowa City in the season opener. John Casey passes for 289 yards in his first start, but the Vols' run game is stuffed by the Hawkeyes. Ryan Love gets only 42 rushing yards.

Vols 23, Toledo 21: Leslie Wiggins' 34-yard FG in the final minute gives the Vols their first win of the season.

Vols 27, Florida 6: Defense is surprisingly strong in this one, limiting the Gators to 192 yards.

No. 6 Western Michigan 34, Vols 24: UT never leads; WMU quarterback Eric Battle his 27 of 34 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns. Vols quarterback John Casey has a tailbone injury that will keep him out for five weeks. Step up, freshman Brett Coley.

Vols 59, UL-Lafayette 0: Nice to have a crap team on the sked to bludgeon after a tough loss. Ryan Love rushes 26 times for 218 yards and two scores; Cody Barrett gets three rushing TDs.

Vols 34, Georgia 31, OT: Leslie Wiggins hits a FG to win it after safety Rob Estes picks off a pass to end Georgia's OT possession.

Auburn 41, Vols 27: UT's last three possessions go like this -- sack, fumble and TD; INT, sack, fumble and TD.

Vols 21, No. 19 Alabama 18: Ryan Love rushes for 105 yards and two touchdowns, and the Vols hold off the Tide throughout the fourth quarter in Tuscaloosa.

South Carolina 38, Vols 24: Michael Davis rips UT for 215 rushing yards.

Vols 17, Arkansas 13: Dunno. Simmed it.

Vols 31, Vandy 0: Ryan Love gouges Vandy (0-11) for 156 yards and two scores.

No. 20 Kentucky 28, Vols 23: Wildcats get a pick-six off a Brian Coley throw on the first series of the game, and the Vols never lead. Vols blow a chance to win the SEC East for the second straight season, but still gain a Cotton Bowl berth against Texas (8-4).

Texas 38, Vols 23: Texas Reggie Stokes hits 23 of 36 passes for 300 yards to help the Horns (9-4) pull away and win the Cotton Bowl. John Casey returns after a long injury absence and passes for 278 yards for the Vols (7-6).

Brian Coley ends up the Vols' leading passer with 2,168 yards, 12 TDs and 12 INTs.

Ryan Love leads in rushing with 1,268 yards and 10 TDs, and Cody Barrett gets 401.

Len Howard and Joey Reid each have 60 receptions.