When Manning left for the NFL after giving the Vols four brilliant seasons, no one expected Martin to fill the void so completely. Even when star running back Jamal Lewis sustained a season-ending injury in the fourth game, Tennessee never faltered on its way to the SEC East Division title.

Martin points to "our cohesiveness, how close we are. We're a team that likes each other, we enjoy playing with each other. It's not where the offense wants the credit or the defense wants the credit."

Certainly, though, Martin deserves credit for presiding over the seamless transition from Peyton's Place to Tee Time.

"I knew Tee had athletic ability and work ethic to be an outstanding quarterback," coach Phillip Fulmer said. "But he's just taken off. ... I wouldn't trade Tee for anyone right now."

	Tennessee's Tee Martin and Jamal Lewis put on a last drive against Syracuse, to put the Vols in field position, for Jeff Hall to kick a last second fieldgoal to win the game 34-33. (AP)

"I didn't know for sure how Tee would manage himself, how he would respond when things were not going well," Fulmer said. "But Tee has been so even-keeled during the whole process. Whether it's battling the clock or battling pressure from different people, whatever has come up, he's handled it very well."

Despite their unbeaten record, the Vols have lived on the edge. Or, in the view of some, they're downright lucky to be where they are.

Tennessee needed a last-second field goal to beat Syracuse 34-33. Three fumbles by Florida helped the Vols defeat their longtime nemesis 20-17 in overtime. Tennessee appeared beaten by Arkansas before an inexplicable fumble handed the Vols a 28-24 victory.

Lucky? Probably. But good fortune usually is a key element in any championship season. Nebraska finished No. 1 last year after scoring on a pass that deflected off a Missouri player's foot. Colorado needed five downs to win a game that was necessary for its title in 1990.

	Arkansas's quarterback Clint Stoerner stumbles over his own players foot as he tries to roll out and fumbles the ball. Tennessee's Billy Ratliff recovers the ball on Arkansas 43, with 1:43 seconds in the game.. (AP)

Likewise, hardly anyone expected No. 23 Mississippi State (8-3) to be in the SEC championship game for the first time.

LSU was the preseason favorite to win the West, but the Tigers faltered badly. Arkansas was rolling toward the title game, winning its first eight games, before the devastating loss to Tennessee was followed by a 22-21 loss to Mississippi State, which won on Brian Hazelwood's field goal with seven seconds remaining.

"You shouldn't underestimate anybody," Bulldogs defensive end Edward Smith said. "We set our goals high."