The Tennessee Volunteers will walk into Neyland Stadium Saturday night boasting a 20-1 all-time record when facing the cross-state rival Memphis Tigers.

While Memphis has never handed the Tennessee a loss in Neyland Stadium Lane Kiffin and the Volunteers are not taking Saturday's game lightly.

"This is a big game for us this week, an in-state rivalry. We know they are going to come and play. I would imagine this is the biggest game of the season for them,"said Kiffin during his Tuesday press conference.

This is a big game for us this week, an in-state rivalry. Lane Kiffin, UT head football coach"I know they have a bunch of Tennessee kids on their roster. We don't have to look any further than the last time they came in here and almost beat Tennessee. Tennessee came out with a four-point win,"

Saturday's game will be a special one for several of Tennessee's athletes.  Dan Williams, Chris Walker, and Jeff Cottam all hail from the Memphis area. Williams recalls wearing some Tennessee apparel to a Memphis area mall.

"People are like, 'What are you doing with that on? You need to be taking that off when you come home. You leave that in Knoxville,'" said Williams.

The Tennessee defense will be key in controlling two Memphis receivers that are overpowering opponents in 2009. Duke Calhoun (6'4") and Carlos Singleton (6'9") rank one-two in receiving all-time for Memphis and will present a tall challenge for an undersized Tennessee secondary.

"Everyone seems to have them but us," said Lane Kiffin of Memphis' rangy wide outs.

The challenge of controlling the Memphis duo will only be magnified with the absence of SEC freshman player of the week Janzen Jackson. Lane Kiffin refused to comment of rumors concerning a suspension for the freshman safety, but Monte Kiffin did say that Prentiss Waggner and Darren Myles Jr. have been competing for Jackson's spot on the field for this week's game.

While the Tennessee defense will need to show up in a big way against Memphis, the Vols offense will need to expose what has been a suspect Memphis defense. The Tigers have surrendered over 200 yards rushing to four of its last five opponents. With Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown lurking in the Tennessee backfield the Vols could have a huge day on the ground.

Hardesty is quickly approaching a 1,000 yard season in 2009 (841 yards through eight games) and can't seem to avoid the attention.

"It would definitely be a big accomplishment for me, I would have to thank my offensive line, but definitely a big accomplishment," said Hardesty.

Specials teams could also play a part in Saturday's game.

The Vols expect that Daniel Lincoln (quadriceps) will return for the first time since having a game-winning field goal attempt blocked at Alabama. Lincoln kicked during practice on Wednesday and Kiffin says he will be a game-time decision.

It also shouldn't be overlooked that the Tiger's only Knoxville native is their kicker Matt Reagan, who graduated from Bearden High School.

The Vols and Tigers will square off at 7 p.m. in Neyland Stadium. The game will be televised by ESPNU. Saturday's game will mark the first time the Vols have been featured on ESPNU.