An early November home date with 2-6 Memphis might not seem difficult, especially after an October filled with Auburn, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.

But head coach Lane Kiffin won't allow a mental breather for his players during this week's preparation for an in-state rival on Homecoming.

We've challenged them to be more physical, and because there jobs are on the line this week, I think they have been more physical. Lane Kiffin, UT head football coach Kiffin announced on Tuesday at his weekly press conference that six positions would become open for competition before taking the field against Memphis on Saturday night at Neyland Stadium. (7 p.m.; ESPNU)

"We'll go back in and watch this film. As we talked about with whatever it is--the five or six spots we've opened up--we'll figure it out by the time we play. And if it's really close, we'll play both guys," Kiffin said.

Some positions are open for battle because of poor execution in the Vols 31-13 win over South Carolina. Others, though, will be out of necessity after Savion Frazier was lost for the year after suffering a knee injury against the Gamecocks.

"We are going to open up the left guard spot, the nickel corner and the fullback spot," said Kiffin.

"We are also going to open up the left end on third down, the mike linebacker spot and the back-up defensive tackle spot. There will be a lot of competition this week for guys to earn playing time and to make sure that guys are practicing extremely hard and physical."

Freshman Nigel Mitchell-Thornton and redshirt freshman Herman Lathers are the logical choices for the middle linebacker competition.

"I thought [Mitchell-Thornton and Lathers] have had a pretty good week," Kiffin said. "But the game is obviously different, a different speed. I would anticipate both guys playing."

"They're both freshmen. They both have a bunch of talent. Herman is extremely fast and Nigel is very physical. We will figure it out in practice and it will show up in practice. We are going to have a very physical practice -- starters versus starters, ones versus ones -- in practice this week and figure out who the best player is."

Austin Johnson and Kevin Cooper will be competing for the opening at fullback. Both Johnson and Cooper caught touchdown passes against South Carolina.

"They both have taken a bunch of reps this week. They both have caught the ball extremely well. We really emphasized the run blocking because I thought they were very average in the game, and it cost us some yards."

"We've challenged them to be more physical, and because their jobs are on the line this week, I think they have been more physical."