Alabama-Birmingham @ Tennessee preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2008 ) Alabama-Birmingham 3, Tennessee 35

If they’re lucky, the Tennessee Volunteers can catch their breath this week.

The Volunteers arguably have faced the most difficult schedule in the country, already playing two teams that currently are ranked in the top 10. Alabama-Birmingham is no pushover, but it’s not Florida or Oregon. It’s a brief reprieve for Tennessee, which faces three ranked teams (including No. 1 Alabama) in the next four weeks.

After suffering double-digit losses the last two weeks, the Volunteers will welcome UAB. But the Blazers (1-2) are coming off their first victory of the season, a 34-33 win over Troy. Tennessee (1-2) played the Gators tough, but eventually wore down and was plagued by turnovers, much like the week before against Oregon.

Despite the losses, Tennessee is playing with great intensity for rookie coach Derek Dooley. The Vols were tied with Florida and Oregon in the third quarter.

The Volunteers likely will turn to Tauren Poole and the running game. After two 100-yard games, Poole was held to 23 yards last week. The Vols managed only 29 as a team, averaging 1.3. Still, they’re 43rd in the country, averaging 181 yards. Despite being sacked six times, quarterback Matt Simms threw for a career-high 259 yards last week against a fast, aggressive Florida defense. He, too, could be poised for a big day. The Blazers were dead last (120th) against the pass last season and 114th in total defense. Allowing 31 points per game, the Blazers are 98th in the country this season.

Tennessee needs a victory Saturday because it's headed into the thick of a murderous SEC schedule. No. 15 LSU is after UAB, and then it’s Georgia, No. 1 Alabama and No. 12 South Carolina. Tennessee looked extremely sharp in its 50-0 shutout over UT-Martin in the season opener and expect Dooley to have the Vols prepared for the Blazers from Conference USA.

UAB is led by versatile quarterback David Isabelle, who leads the team with 264 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Blazers are a respectable 30th in the country in rushing, averaging 204.

The teams met two years ago with Tennessee blowing out the Blazers, 35-3. A backup then, Poole rushed for 43 yards. Expect him to surpass that Saturday.

Tennessee center Cody Pope (concussion) and guard JerQuari Schofield (foot) are doubtful.