Tennessee Vols Look for Strong Finish to 2009

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin has preached to his players all season that it doesn't matter how they start anything if they don't finish strong.

The Vols have been a good fourth-quarter team this season. Now Kiffin expects them to finish the final quarter of the season strong.

November has always been a big month for the Volunteers. Since the Southeastern Conference expanded in 1992, they're 58-10 in regular season games played after Oct. 31. They're 44-5 against SEC opponents in that span.

Tennessee (5-4, 2-3) has never faced Mississippi (6-3, 2-3) during that span. The Vols make only their third trip to Oxford on Saturday.

A win over the Rebels would make Tennessee bowl-eligible after missing out on the postseason last year.