The last time Tennessee football lost fewer than four games was in 2004. Notably, the Vols started three different quarterbacks on the season, and Phillip Fulmer and Randy Sanders never named a full-time signal-caller.
Looking to replace four-year starter Casey Clausen, the Vols planned to start Chris Leak. Casey’s younger brother, Rick Clausen, would be the backup. But then two true freshmen arrived, Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge. Fulmer immediately moved those two to the top of the depth chart.
Not only did he do that, but he never named one of them a full-time starter.