The UK coaches will sit down and work out a plan to try to beat Vandy over the next two days. A win is badly needed, and this may be their best chance in the SEC this season because the Cats are relatively healthy. Relatively is a relative turn.

"Thursday is usually when we sit down, try to come up with a plan to play the backups and we'll go in here and talk about it today and figure out exactly when we want to play him," Phillips said. "We decided third series last week and that's what we stuck with."

Offensive coordinator Randy Sanders said earlier in the week that the determination of playing time between true freshmen quarterback Jalen Whitlow and Patrick Towles would not be made until later in the week. Phillips echoed those words Thursday, saying the staff will have those conversations later this afternoon.

Phillips also said that senior quarterback Morgan Newton could be used this week not only in an emergency situation, but to help the young quarterbacks slow down and see the game.

"He's still an emergency guy and a guy that will get in on the goal line," Phillips said. "We'll put him in there also doing some of the Wildcat stuff and our quarterback run game. But again if we're struggling with those two guys, he's a guy who can go in and give those two guys a breather and let them see it from the sideline so things will start slowing down for them. He's definitely an option, though."

On the injury front, Phillips said that starting defensive tackle Donte Rumph is doubtful but "everyone else should be good to go." Phillips said that sophomore Alvin Davis could see more playing time this week if Rumph doesn't play.

Phillips agreed with a reporter when asked if only missing one starter would be "considered healthy." The head coach said looking back if you remove Maxwell Smith's start against South Carolina this year and Morgan Newton's start last year against Mississippi State, UK has started a true freshman at quarterback 11 out of their last 12 SEC games.

"This would be considered healthy (compared to the major injury issues the team has been through)," Phillips said. "In 11 of the last 12 SEC games we have played, if you take out nine plays Morgan played last year (at the beginning of) the Mississippi State game and two plays Maxwell Smith played this year in the South Carolina, game then we have started a true freshman quarterback. The guys are doing a great job but your margin of error is really small when you are starting true freshman quarterbacks."