On second thought ��

SEC Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer learned a little about the difference between potential and production in the Volunteers' closer than expected season-opening win over UAB. Sure, Erik Ainge has the ability to get the ball downfield, but his 5-of-14 performance against the Blazers convinced Fulmer that senior Rick Clausen should start when the Vols visit Florida on Saturday. "I'm seeing the same confidence from Rick and the same ability to get the ball where he wants it to go," Fulmer says. "He's surpassed everyone's expectations." Clausen played well during the Vols' three preseason scrimmages, and if Fulmer had chosen his starting quarterback based on practice performance, he would have chosen Clausen. But Ainge's size (6-6, 212) and big arm made him more attractive initially than the steady, team-oriented Clausen. "I have confidence in both of them," Fulmer says. "They're so similar." Maybe, but it's Clausen who will start against Florida, though Ainge will get some playing time.

BIG 12 In the preseason, the duet to replace Oklahoma QB Jason White had come down to Paul Thompson's steady hand vs. Rhett Bomar's promise. In the end, coach Bob Stoops and coordinator Chuck Long decided steadiness was better for the team. But after Thompson struggled in the season-opening loss to TCU, he was benched. Bomar also has had plenty of rough moments during the first two games--the Sooners didn't even try a pass in the second half against Tulsa--but he also flashed some of the athletic ability that made him one of the nation's most ballyhooed recruits two years ago.

PAC-10 By the time California's 41-3 season-opening rout of Sacramento State was over, Bears coach Jeff Tedford was down to his third-string quarterback, former fullback Steve Levy. Still think Cal won't miss Aaron Rodgers? Starter Nathan Longshore is out with a broken leg suffered in the opener. His backup, highly regarded junior college recruit Joseph Ayoob, is looking for his groove. Levy isn't the answer, so Ayoob has to be. He must hope his considerable talent and Tedford's track record prevail.

ACC Many Florida State fans like QB Xavier Lee's potential. Now, we'll see if he'll get more playing time at the expense of Drew Weatherford. Lee, who lost the job exiting camp partly because of injury, has the speed and arm to make things happen. He just needs to develop confidence.

BIG EAST Pittsburgh's defensive front is undergoing changes. The biggest move involves tackle Thomas Smith, whose playing time will increase as he recovers from knee surgery. Smith's experience and ability will allow him to plug the middle and collapse the pocket.

BIG TEN The defense continues to be a work in progress for Wisconsin. Everyone knew the line--which lost four starters to the NFL draft--was a work in progress, but the secondary also has a ways to go. It already has been juggled once as coaches try to develop a comfort zone.

C-USA Nobody said replacing QB Danny Wimprine would be easy for Memphis. Coach Tommy West has no choice but to stick with inexperienced Will Hudgens, who took over for Patrick Byrne (leg) in the season-opening loss to Ole Miss. Without a passing game, RB DeAngelo Williams will struggle.

MAC It's time to find out whether Western Michigan QB Ryan Cubit can fight through shin splints. WMU fell behind 35-0 against Toledo but Cubit completed 20 of 33 passes for 215 yards and a TD. "I was hoping he'd give us a spark," WMU coach Bill Cubit said. "I thought he did."

MOUNTAIN WEST News flash: A college football coach agrees with his critics. Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick knows he needs to make more prudent decisions on special teams and stick with the power running game that has been the program's backbone under his watch.

SUN BELT Sure, the opening salvo against Missouri wasn't great, but Arkansas State is growing more accustomed to its new defense. The Indians have switched from a 4-2-5 configuration to a 4-3, a better scheme to stop power running teams that lurk on the schedule.

WAC so much for the BCS dreams. Boise State's flop at Georgia ended any chances it had of cracking the big-money bowls. Though losing in Athens is no crime, the Broncos had hoped to become this year's Utah. Oh well, there's always the MPC Computers Bowl.

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