Tennessee needs quarterback Erik Ainge, injured ankle and all, to be at his best against LSU. That's a critical issue this week, but it's not the only one.

The Vols need the running game to be more productive than it has been. And the defense and kicking game must be near-perfect.

"We'll have to play our best football of the year this week," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "We're not worried about anything beyond that right now. The schedule has been tough on us physically. Our kids have shown the toughness to handle it, and this will be our biggest test in quite some time."

The eighth-ranked Vols (7-1, 3-1 SEC) enter this week's home game against 13th-ranked LSU with legitimate concerns about Ainge. The right ankle he sprained last Saturday in a 31-24 victory over South Carolina won't be 100 percent healthy.

"I've played with foot problems that were worse than this before and played, so I'm not worried," Ainge said.

The real concern is how Ainge holds up against an LSU defense that ranks in the nation's top eight in all major statistical categories. While Tennessee ranks second in the SEC in both scoring and total offense, the Vols have struggled to move the ball consistently the past two weeks against Alabama and South Carolina.

Not having a running game to support the passing game hasn't helped, with the Vols rushing for just 71 yards last week against South Carolina and 57 yards two weeks ago against Alabama.

"People have loaded up to stop the run and haven't been afraid to play man to man," Fulmer said. "At times we've made 'em pay for that."

The Vols have made them pay late the past two weeks, saving their best for the fourth quarter in each win. In fact, Tennessee has outscored its past five opponents 85-20 in the fourth quarter. The Vols will likely need a better performance in the other three quarters to beat LSU.

"I'd like to play the first three like the last one," Fulmer said. "It shows some toughness and tenacity. I think it's a reflection of their coaches and a reflection of the leadership we have. It's going to take more of the same."

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Vols won again, but they didn't get rolling until the fourth quarter and their tailbacks managed just 53 rushing yards on 20 carries. As a whole, the offense produced only 71 rushing yards. Without injured TB LaMarcus Coker, the Vols really don't have an elusive runner who fits well in the spread. What they do have, though, is QB Erik Ainge, dangerous receivers in Robert Meachem, Jayson Swain and Bret Smith and an offense that ranks second in the SEC in scoring and total yards with 32.2 points and 401.6 total yards per game.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: One week after slowing down Alabama's running game, the Vols often struggled to contain South Carolina QB Syvelle Newton, who ran for 85 yards and a touchdown. If it had not been for two early interceptions, one that led to a touchdown and the other preventing a touchdown, the outcome could have been different for the Vols.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're still playing with a freshman center, he's learning as we go along. They've been good at times. I just want more consistency. I think that's the right word. Those five guys have got to play as one. You can't have four of the five getting it done and one not. A little step here or there can break a play down and not give a back a chance to make yards. I just want us to finish better and be more consistent." -- Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer on his offensive line.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: LSU at Tennessee, Nov. 4 -– This is a key November showdown between two teams attempting to hang on in their respective division races. The game matches the SEC's top two offenses, with LSU (35.9 points per game) and Tennessee (32.2 ppg) combining for more than 68 points per game. The spotlight will fall on the play of two talented quarterbacks, Tennessee's Erik Ainge and LSU's Jamarcus Russell, but the true key will be the performances of both defenses. While LSU's defense ranks among the top 10 in all major statistical categories, the Vols haven't been nearly as consistent as the Tigers on defense and will need their best game of the season to hold down LSU.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Erik Ainge -– Ainge came through with another big fourth quarter last week to lead the Vols to a dramatic victory. For the game, he completed 21 of 29 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. For the season, he leads the SEC with 276.6 passing yards per game to go with a 67.9 completing percentage, 16 TDs and eight INTs.

WR Robert Meachem –- The Vols can turn to three dangerous receivers in Jayson Swain, Bret Smith and Meachem, but Meachem has emerged as the best of the bunch with 45 receptions, 868 yards and six touchdowns this season.

FS-PR Jonathan Hefney –- In addition to his place at free safety, Hefney has been particularly dangerous as a punt returner in recent games. Last week he set up Tennessee's deciding touchdown with a 65-yard punt return in the fourth quarter against South Carolina.

CB Jonathan Wade -– Wade, the SEC defensive player of the week, recorded four solo tackles, an interception, two pass deflections and a tackle for loss last week. His hard hit the second play of the game knocked the ball loose from a South Carolina receiver and into the hands of LB Marvin Mitchell, who scored a touchdown on the play. Wade then intercepted a pass in the end zone midway through the first quarter, preventing a South Carolina touchdown.

LB Marvin Mitchell –- In addition to his 17-yard interception return for a touchdown last week, Mitchell also recorded eight tackles and a quarterback hurry. Mitchell leads the Vols and ranks fourth in the SEC with 8.6 tackles per game.

ROSTER REPORT: QB Erik Ainge will be limited in practice this week because of a sprained right ankle but said he will be ready to play Saturday against LSU. "There's no doubt in my mind that I'm going to be ready to play," Ainge said. "Other than that, it's just a matter of getting rid of the swelling. We're doing a lot of treatment and getting it ready."

Just in case something happens to Ainge, the Vols are spending more time getting redshirt freshman Jonathan Crompton ready for Saturday's game. Crompton finished South Carolina game, playing the the Vols' final three offensive plays.

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said 10-12 players left Neyland Stadium on Saturday night wearing protective walking boots. Every player on the list, including WRs Bret Smith (ankle) and Jayson Swain (ankle) and TB Arian Foster (ankle) are expected to play against LSU. "This seems to be our year for ankles," Fulmer said.