For many Tennessee players, coaches and fans, one word seems to sum up how a team constructed of obvious strengths and seemingly fatal flaws worked its way into the Southeastern Conference championship game.

"Resilience," coach Phillip Fulmer said.

Indeed, the Volunteers have been that if nothing else. Despite a defense that has allowed the most points (344) of any in school history, Tennessee found a way to win the East Division title.

The 52-50, four-overtime win at Kentucky on Nov. 24 was about resilience and guts as much as it was about offensive fireworks.

The No. 14 Vols won in spite of their defense being on the field for 110 plays -- one short of the all-time Football Bowl Subdivision record.

Yet that defense, even though it was lit up for 573 total yards and 37 first downs, made the play it absolutely had to make when Antonio Reynolds sacked Andre Woodson on a two-point conversion try on the day's final snap.

"We were destined to win that game," backup safety Ricardo Kemp said. "Of course, I was pulling my hair out before it was over."

Asked if that were possible, given his close-cropped haircut, Kemp just laughed.

"I was just so scared," he said. "Everyone has been doubting us all year. ... We just wanted to prove them wrong."

It appears that Tennessee will have one more chance to play the role of defiant underdog this week. No. 5 LSU enters the game smarting after a 50-48, three-overtime defeat to Arkansas.

"Out of 12 games, I don't think we've been picked to win many," defensive end Xavier Mitchell said. "I like being the underdog."

--QB Erik Ainge led Tennessee to the SEC East Division title, going 28-for-43 for 397 yards and a school-record seven touchdowns last week at Kentucky. Ainge has completed more than 64 percent of his passes with a 27-to-8 TD-interception ratio, and he has been sacked only three times.

--SS Jonathan Hefney will set a school record for career starts, barring injury or some other occurrence. Hefney, who had nine tackles last week at Kentucky, will break Scott Wells' mark of 49 straight starts in the Volunteers' bowl game.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Facing LSU's beat-up defense, Tennessee should have a chance to post some good numbers. Tigers coach Les Miles thinks his defense has a good chance to pressure QB Erik Ainge, but the Vols have allowed just four sacks all year. And Tennessee has improved its run-blocking over the season's second half, meaning TB Arian Foster could be a handful for LSU's front seven.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The good news was the Volunteers finally found a pass rush, sacking Andre Woodson six times last week. The bad news was they couldn't get off the field on third down, allowing 10 of 20 conversions by Kentucky. That was a big reason the Tennessee "D" allowed 43 points after halftime. The Vols certainly will have to be more consistent over four quarters if they hope to contain LSU's explosive offense.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "The world has been against us. Winning an SEC title would show our heart and resilience. It would be a testament to ourselves." -- Tennessee DE Xavier Mitchell.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: LSU vs. Tennessee, SEC championship game, Dec. 1 in Atlanta -- If both teams play their best, LSU wins. But the Tigers are battered and haven't played at their best for two months. The Volunteers probably will need the offense to score its average (35 points per game), the defense to provide some takeaways and the kicking game to produce a big play.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: LG Anthony Parker -- He may have this team's most important job against LSU, as he'll probably match up with All-America candidate Glenn Dorsey most of the time. If Parker can at least neutralize Dorsey, who is playing with knee and back pain, Tennessee's offense has a chance to put up good numbers.

WR Lucas Taylor -- The Louisiana native has to be looking forward to a crack at the Tigers. Taylor needs just 25 yards to reach 1,000 for the season and can break a school single-season record with six catches. Taylor had six grabs for 103 yards and a TD at Kentucky, although a critical fourth-quarter drop nearly cost the team dearly.

LB Jerod Mayo -- The junior may be playing his way onto the All-SEC team after a slow start as he adjusted to a new position. Mayo, a weak-side LB last year, made a career-high 19 stops at Kentucky, giving him 34 in the past two games. He's currently fourth in the SEC in tackles.

ROSTER REPORT: Backup TB Montario Hardesty (ankle) was improving early in the week, but coach Phillip Fulmer wasn't sure if he'd be available for the SEC title game. Hardesty's production has tailed off the past two games, but his physical running style would be a good matchup this week against the LSU defense.

If Hardesty can't play, freshman Lennon Creer would serve as Arian Foster's backup. Creer has good speed, but he isn't quite as physical as Foster and isn't a proven pass-blocker against blitzes.

DE Xavier Mitchell (shoulder stinger) left the Kentucky game briefly, but he said Nov. 27 that he was fine for the SEC championship game.