Mike Hamilton, the athletic director, is a reasonable guy. I think when the rash of incidents came along in 2005-06 he appreciated Fulmer wading into the muck and taking responsibility for something that should have been the responsibility of the parents of those players.

Hamilton also probably appreciates the steady cadence of winning. Tennessee has won an average of 9.7 games a season under Fulmer.

Sportswriters frequently criticize the rabid nature of some fan bases. We ask them to relax, so maybe Tennessee fans are OK with this eight-year run, and we should not kick at the dog.

Then again, the fandom probably expects more from Tennessee football than to be the sixth best program in the conference. Injuries have ruined the Vols the last two seasons, but injuries get less and less sympathy these days.

Some things need to happen this season. Cutcliffe and quarterback Erik Ainge need to have a big season, even with the loss of the team’s stellar wide receivers to the NFL. So far, the reviews of the offense have been very good and Ainge, not the more hyped Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson, could be the best QB in the SEC.

The defense has to rebound with coordinator John Chavis. The Vols were eighth in the SEC in total defense in 2006 and gave up 5.3 yards a play. There are five starters back on defense, which is a good base to build from.

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Tennessee also needs to win at Florida. If you are going to reclaim some respect in the SEC than nothing would help more than a win Sept. 15 against the defending national champions.

The juggernaut in the SEC this season is in the Western Division with LSU. The SEC East, on the other hand, is so close, scheduling is going to make a difference.

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Tennessee plays at Florida and Alabama, but 'Bama still has some building to do.

Florida has to play at South Carolina and LSU. Georgia has to play at Tennessee and Alabama. South Carolina has a brutal schedule with games at Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, LSU, and Arkansas.

It is a division that can see the winner lose two conference games and still get into the SEC Championship Game against LSU or Arkansas.

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Tennessee, which has an easier SEC schedule, is due. A 10-2 record and SEC East crown is possible with a good staff and talent.

But 8-4, or 7-5, and losses to Florida, Georgia, even an upset at the hands of Kentucky, and 2008 becomes a win or else season for Fulmer. Tennessee fans can only be so patient.