12 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, December 4, 1998 The regular football season in the Big Ten is over. But others conclude their schedules with conference championship games. For them it's ... Now or never Tennessee looks for Fiesta-clinching win 0 ATLANTA (AP) -Tee Martin is two victories away from taking the Tennessee Volunteers to heights they could only dream about with Peyton Manning as their quarterback. If the No. I Vols defeat Mississippi State in tomor- row's Southeastern Conference championship game, they'll likely play for the national championship in the Fiesta Bowl. So much for having to rebuild in the post-Peyton era. "It's going how we dreamed of it going," said Martin, the junior who replaced Manning this season and guid- ed the Vols to the first 11-0 regular season in school his- tory. "We may not have expected it to be like this, but we dreamed of it." 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 play- ing with each other. It's not where the offense wants the credit or the defense wants the credit." Certainly, though, Martin deserves credit for presid- ing 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 any- one right now." After a stumbling start, Martin has risen to become the second-rated quarterback in the SEC. The Vols aver- aged only 359.6 yards in their first five games, but they've jumped to 434.5 over the last six. "I didn't know for sure how Tee would manage him- self, 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, what- ever 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. Four fumbles by Florida helped the Vols defeat their longtime nemesis 20-17 in overtime. Tennessee appeared beaten by Arkansas before an inex- plicable fumble handed the Vols a 28-24 victory. Lucky? Probably. But good fortune usually is a key element in any championship season. Nebraska fin- ished No. I last year after scoring on a pass that deflect- ed off a receiver's foot. Colorado needed five downs to win a game that was necessary for its title in 1990. "The 'L' word isn't even coming into our minds," Tennessee cornerback Steve Johnson said. "We've fought through a lot of adversity to get to 11-0. I don't think anybody expected us to be 11-0." Likewise, hardly anyone expected No. 23 Mississir State (8-3) to be in the SEC championship game. 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. The Bulldogs have the SEC's top rusher in James Johnson (1,345 yards, 6.1 yards per carry), but he questionable for Saturday night's game at the Georgia Dome because of groin and shoulder injuries. AP PHOTO Tee Martin and the Tennessee football team needs only one more win to advance to the Fiesta Bowl and play for the national championship. Thank You for the Honor of Being Voted Best Shoe Store* 1200 S. University at Church St. 734-994-9401 116A -A* Your Authorized Original Adidas Retailer For All of Your Footwear Need From Funky Fajhion to CozF Comfort We A lso Carry Birkensto k. Doc Martens. Vins. Nike. Dansko. Fl/et og Auro & Many Vlore Kansas State needs victory, some help ;: ;, I, COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - No. 10 Texas A&M is having a tough time doing what it usually does best - run the football. The Aggies were held to a minus-7 yards rushing last week by Texas, which was ranked 57th nationally in total defense and 45th against the run. Now, the Aggies' depleted running backs corps has to get ready for a huge challenge in tomorrow's Big 12 Championship Game against No. 2 Kansas State (8-0 Big 12, 11-0 overall), ranked No. 2 nationally in total defense and No. 7 against the run. The Aggies had their least productive day rushing against Texas since Kansas State held them to minus-35 yards last season in the Wildcats' 35-17 victory. The Aggies (7-1, 10-2) aren't getting caught up in statistical talk. "Our defense was No. 2 (total defense) last week, and look what they (Texas) did to us," running back Dante Hall said. "You can throw out all the stats and stuff. That's just paper stuff. Unfortunately, we lost to Texas, but we can still win the Big 12 championship and go to a big bowl game." . Texas A&M tried to turn more to their passing game, but that didn't work against the Longhorns until the fourth quarter when the Aggies almost pulled out the game before losing 26-24. "Kansas State's defense is designed to stop the run," Parker said. "We are known as a running team, but we pride ourselves in being balanced. But if we can't run the ball, we're going to have a hard time winning the game." The Aggies also had a bad rushing day in last year's Big 12 title game, when Nebraska held them to 13 yards and won the game 54-15. The Aggies don't want any more such embarrassing losses. "We should have won the game with Kansas State last year," tight end Dan Campbell said. "I don't think we realized that they were that good. We thought they were just another team that took it (lost to) from Nebraska. This year, we know how good they are." .,ull line of Adidas clothing 322 E. Liberty 734-662-9401 coming February '99 217 S. 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