Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton hasn't had a lot of fun the last six weeks.

After giving up the starting job to Nick Stephens following a 14-12 loss at Auburn in September, he's played sparingly. The Vols (3-7) went just 2-4 during that stretch.

It's been a long slog since the Vols dropped their season opener at UCLA in overtime on Sept. 1, and that certainly includes Crompton.

"It's tough, especially when the team's not winning every game and struggling through it," Crompton said. "But you just got to come out ready to prepare every day. You've got to try to have fun. It's hard to have fun when you're not winning, but we're trying to win these last two games and do that."

Heading into Saturday's game (TV: WVLT, 12:30 p.m.) at Vanderbilt, coaches said that Crompton will start because he gives Tennessee the best chance to win.

"I think you still have to approach it as what is the best way to win the football game," offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said.

Even with Crompton starting, redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman is expected to play against the Commodores.

Exactly when Coleman will get his shot is to be determined.

"I don't think it's fair to Jonathan to say, 'You better play well the first series or you have the hook,' but I really want B.J. to prepare as if he's going to play because I really want to get him in there," Clawson said.

Crompton, who is 80-for-158 passing this season for 788 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions, said he won't be looking over his shoulder Saturday.

"You can't think of that," said Crompton. "That's the wrong way to go about it. You've got to take care of yourself and do what's best for the team, and I think that's what we're trying to do."

Just how much Crompton has improved, however, is tough to tell. Coaches have said all season that he performs much better in practice than he has in games.

In his most extensive playing time since being benched, Crompton was 11-of-27 for 91 yards in UT's loss to Wyoming on Nov. 15 and guided the Vols on their lone scoring drive.

"Jonathan has always practiced well," Clawson said. "I thought at times in the Wyoming game, he played well. At times we didn't execute as well as we needed to. It's always been a difficult gauge because he really does practice well."

Hardesty Good to Go: Despite a stress fracture in his leg that kept him from playing against Wyoming, tailback Montario Hardesty said Wednesday he'll play against Vanderbilt.

"Come game time, I'll be out there doing everything I usually do," he said.

With senior Arian Foster still limited by a thigh bruise, Hardesty could get his first start since 2006.

"I'm not sure," Hardesty said when asked if he'd start against the Commodores. "That all depends on how Arian's thing comes around. I'm prepared to get out there and play, so whether I'm starting or not, I'll be ready come Saturday."

Homecoming for Fisher: Defensive tackle Walter Fisher is one of four Vols who grew up in the Nashville area.

Bragging rights are always big, Fisher says.

"I do not want to go home after this is over knowing that I lost to Vanderbilt," he said. "I'm not trying to say that in a negative way or nothing. It's just that I've got a lot of family members that love Tennessee. For me to lose Vanderbilt and then go home and walk around like nothing's happening, that's not going to fly with them."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.