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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Few coaches like to do the quarterback shuffle, but Phillip Fulmer and Steve Spurrier have done their fair share.

If history is any indication, the switch to Nick Stephens as starter a month ago should mean more stable times are ahead for the Vols' offense.

But with Fulmer on the hot seat, he may not get a shot to see it all the way through.

During his career, Fulmer has made starting quarterback changes in the middle of five seasons because of injury or incompetent play. Several of those quarterbacks struggled at first but settled down after a season.

Tennessee (3-5, 1-4 Southeastern Conference) on Saturday night will face South Carolina (5-2, 2-3), a team that's seen multiple quarterbacks in each of Spurrier's four seasons as coach.

This year he's rotated among Chris Smelley, fan favorite Stephen Garcia and Tommy Beecher. Garcia is expected to start Saturday, but Spurrier says he won't hesitate to play Smelley if the redshirt freshman struggles.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)