On the University of Tennessee's football field, where the end zones look like orange-and-white checkerboards, the dog is king. Smokey, a prize blue tick coon hound -- part of the Volunteer faithful and a two-time national mascot champion -- stands tall in the SEC and nationwide.

Sports Illustrated recently called Tennessee's tailgate party college football's best Saturday morning scene, so when the Vols suit up in Knoxville they expect the huge crowd to be more than fired up. With two humanoid mascots -- Smokey and the familiar Volunteer -- in addition to the actual four-legged cheerleader, that's never a problem. But while real dogs come and go -- the current incarnation is Smokey IX -- the costumed canine is a constant presence. This Dixie dog barked to Playboy.com about his own method of marking his territory and why he's a real pimp.

Playboy.com: What's Smokey like when he's on the field?
Smokey: Since I'm from the South, I'm very laid back. That might explain why I'm a ladies' man.

PB: You sound like a popular dog.
Smokey: When we went to play in the SEC tournament two years ago, fans from all over the conference -- Auburn, LSU, you name it -- all wanted their pictures taken with Smokey.

PB: Since there's also a canine Smokey, do you ever feel competition?
Smokey: We're on real Smokey number nine right now, and he's just a puppy. He has to be the laziest dog I've ever seen. I'm not afraid of being upstaged. But it's pretty dead even when it comes to who gets the most picture requests.

PB: Does the actual dog Smokey intimidate other mascots?
Smokey: It's always interesting to see him with the Georgia bulldog. The trainers let the two dogs play together for a little bit before they start growling at each other.

PB: Do fans heckle you a lot?
Smokey: Not really. Like I said, most fans enjoy seeing Smokey. But there have been some rowdy ones. LSU fans are crazy, and one time at Arkansas the fans threw D-size batteries at my head.

PB: Any significance to throwing batteries at you?
Smokey: Other than the fact that they hurt, I don't think so.

PB: Does Smokey have any signature moves?
Smokey: The "Smokey Split." I do a 360-degree turn, go into a split and come straight back up. I haven't seen many mascots do that.

PB: Is there any trick to it?
Smokey: You have to stretch before you do it. I did it once without stretching and it wasn't easy to get back up. You have to be careful or you might rip something.

PB: That would definitely hurt your moves with the ladies. How do the female Volunteer fans treat Smokey?
Smokey: Smokey has a good reputation with the females. I'm definitely one of the most flirtatious mascots. I give lots of kisses on cheeks and make lots of marriage proposals, but I've never tied the knot.

PB: A lifelong bachelor, it seems.
Smokey: Yeah. Too many girls like Smokey.

PB: Does Smokey have any pre-game rituals?
Smokey: There are a ton. First there's the pre-game Vol walk, where I lead the team down into the stadium. Then I turn around and follow the band back into the stadium. Right before the game begins, the band forms a power "T" and I lead the team onto the field in front of a cheering crowd of 108,000. It's quite a rush.

PB: What about during the game?
Smokey: Know how some cheerleaders do push-ups depending on how many points their team scores? Well, Smokey gets on a weight bench and lifts weights.

PB: So, is Smokey ripped?
Smokey: Not that much. But I can handle myself. I have the skills and I have an amazing wardrobe. I have everything from a tuxedo to an orange pimp outfit I found on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.