The Tennessee Vols' best chance to beat Alabama this weekend is if Hendon Hooker starts at quarterback for UT.

Hooker didn't begin the season as Tennessee's starter — Vols head coach Josh Heupel went with Joe Milton instead — but he's proved over the last month to be the best option for the Volunteers.

Unfortunately for Tennessee, it's unclear if Hooker will play this weekend against the Crimson Tide.

Hooker suffered an injury late in the Vols' loss to Ole Miss last weekend. He was replaced by Milton, who nearly led Tennessee to a win, before inexplicably running out of bounds as time expired in the fourth quarter.

Heupel said on Thursday that Hooker has "gotten some work in during the course of the week". The UT head coach suggested that Hooker will be a game-time decision on Saturday.

My gut tells me that Hooker plays since he was able to get some practice time in this week.

And that's a good thing for the Vols.

Heupel is going to coach to win this game. He's not going to punt the game and rest key players.

And I get it. That's how he's wired.

However, at the same time, Heupel needs to be smart.

Coach to win. But if the game starts to get out of hand, there will be some decisions that need to be made.

For example, if the Vols are down by 28 points in the third quarter, it would be wise to sit Hooker and other key players. Get Milton some time. Get Harrison Bailey some action.

Tennessee has to play to win. You never know what could happen.

But there's no reason to risk losing Hooker for the rest of the season if Alabama is boat racing the Vols.

Tennessee needs Hooker in November. Seven wins is still a very realistic scenario for the Vols. The Kentucky game on November 6 is the most important game remaining on UT's schedule. It's more important to have Hooker for that game than the second half of a blowout loss.

If the Vols are in the game in the second half, then Hooker has to finish against Alabama. But if it goes south, Heupel has gotta know when to wave the white flag.

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