KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Fourth-ranked Tennessee begins a four-game homestand Saturday when it hosts Middle Tennessee in a battle of the two largest universities in the Volunteer State.

Tennessee, which plays only three games outside its home state all year, opened the season with a 47-7 victory over Wyoming last week at The Coliseum in Nashville.

Casey Clausen completed 22-of-33 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown and Cedric Houston and Jabari Davis each rushed for a pair of scores as the Volunteers posted their 16th straight non-conference victory.

Houston rushed for 106 yards on 10 carries for Tennessee, which hardly missed top receiver Kelly Washington, sidelined with a sprained right knee. Washington's status for this week is uncertain.

Middle linebacker Kevin Burnett, Tennessee's sack leader last year, tore a ligament in his right knee against Wyoming and probably is out for the season.

Tennessee likely will use this game as another tuneup for its showdown with Florida in two weeks. The Volunteers, who host Rutgers on September 28, do not leave the state until October 12, when they visit Georgia.

Middle Tennessee (0-1) is facing its second straight Southeastern Conference opponent. The Blue Raiders were competitive in last week's 39-34 loss at Alabama, but this could be a tougher test. The expected turnout of 107,000 at Neyland Stadium will be the largest crowd the Blue Raiders have ever played in front of in the 87-year history of the program.

Middle Tennessee will be facing four SEC teams this season, taking on Kentucky in two weeks and Vanderbilt in October. The Blue Raiders are 1-19 all-time against the SEC and 0-4 against ranked teams since moving up to Division I-A in 1999.

Andrico Hines, who made his first career start against Alabama, completed 16-of-24 passes for 165 yards and also rushed for 49 yards on eight carries.

ReShard Lee showcased his versatility against the Crimson Tide as he started the game at quarterback, shifted to tailback and also returned kickoffs. He completed his first and only pass for 36 yards, rushed for a team-high 56 yards and returned four kickoffs for 137 yards.

"The first thing you talk about is their running backs," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "They're an impressive pair. Hicks is a good back they're promoting for postseason awards. Whn you watch the film, you see just as many good things out of ReShard Lee. They're two fine backs we have to take special emphasis on trying to slow down."

The teams will be facing each other for the first time.