Not "Bad" but "Inconsistent" Defense - Per Grok

#1
Tman44

Tman44

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#1
I decided to ask Grok "How bad is the Tennessee Vol Defense?" This is what Grok had to say.

The Tennessee Volunteers' defense in the 2025 season has had a mixed performance, with notable strengths but also some areas of concern. Here's a breakdown based on available information:Strengths:
  • Depth and Balance: Tennessee's defense is characterized by depth across all position groups, with 26 different defenders recording tackles early in the season. The defensive line, led by veterans like Tyre West, Bryson Eason, and Omari Thomas, has been disruptive, combining for three sacks and multiple tackles for loss in games. The linebacker unit, anchored by Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander, has been a strength, contributing significantly to the team's 53 tackles in a single game.

    si.com
  • Turnover Creation: The Vols have been effective at forcing turnovers, with two turnovers in their recent game against Kentucky, including a pick-six by Edrees Farooq. They’ve forced more turnovers (11) than touchdowns allowed (8) through seven games, ranking them among the top FBS teams in this category.

    si.com
  • Elite Defensive Line: Under coach Rodney Garner, Tennessee has built one of the SEC's best defensive lines, with players like James Pearce Jr. and Dominic Bailey stepping up. This unit has been key in disrupting opposing offenses, as seen in their ability to pressure quarterbacks and limit rushing yards (e.g., holding Georgia to a season-low 59 rushing yards in 2024).

    espn.com
  • Third-Down Defense: Tennessee ranks in the top five nationally in third-down defense, showcasing their ability to get off the field and limit opponents' possessions.
Weaknesses:
  • Pass Defense Struggles: The Volunteers' secondary has been a weak point, allowing an average of 257.8 passing yards per game, which ranks last in the SEC. This vulnerability was highlighted in posts on X, where Alabama's quarterback Ty Simpson was asked about exploiting Tennessee’s secondary.
  • Inconsistent Run Defense: While the defensive line is strong, there have been games where the run defense has struggled. Posts on X have noted fan frustration with the defense’s inability to consistently stop the run, particularly in losses like the one against Alabama (37-20).

    bleacherreport.com
  • Points Allowed: Despite their turnover success, Tennessee has given up an "unhealthy amount of points" in some games, such as the Kentucky matchup, which could be a concern against high-powered SEC offenses like Oklahoma or Vanderbilt.

    si.com
  • Injury Concerns: Key players like linebacker Arion Carter, who leads the team with 61 tackles, have been dealing with injuries (turf toe in both feet), impacting performance. The secondary is also one injury away from relying on inexperienced players, which could exacerbate pass defense issues.

    247sports.com

    rockytoptalk.com
Recent Game Context:
  • Kentucky (Oct 25, 2025): Tennessee’s defense performed well in creating turnovers, including a pick-six, but still allowed points that raised concerns about their ability to close out games against stronger opponents. The Vols won, but the defense needs to tighten up to compete with elite teams.

    si.com
  • Alabama (Oct 18, 2025): The defense struggled in a 37-20 loss, with fans and analysts noting poor tackling and coverage issues. This game highlighted ongoing frustrations with defensive consistency.

    bleacherreport.com
  • Overall Record: Tennessee stands at 5-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC play, indicating the defense has been good enough to keep them competitive but not dominant enough to avoid losses against top-tier teams.

    cbssports.com
Summary: The Tennessee Volunteers' defense is not "bad" but is inconsistent. It boasts a strong, deep defensive line and effective linebacker play, with standout performances in turnover creation and third-down defense. However, the secondary’s struggles against the pass and occasional lapses in run defense have been exploited by opponents, leading to fan frustration and concerns about their ability to handle elite SEC offenses. Injuries to key players like Arion Carter could further expose weaknesses, particularly in the secondary. To improve, Tennessee needs to shore up its pass defense and maintain consistency against the run, especially as they face tougher opponents like Oklahoma and Vanderbilt.
 
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#5
#5
HalfullVol said:
Well, besides mentioning players that left after the ‘24 season it reads pretty accurate.
Click to expand...
-depth across the board. True, except for wr, TE, DT, LB, CB and safety. And how can you say you have depth then say one player away from young and inexperienced. Thats not depth.
-dl isnt elite or deep
-3rd down defense is awful. If it’s 3rd and 7 we all know it’s 50/50 at best. You don’t give up multiple 75-99 yard drives every game if your 3rd down defense is worth a flip. If we are a top 5 defense nationally in 3rd downs, I’m Cyndi Lauper.
-strong, deep DL and effective lb play. Huh?
 
#6
#6
Smoky901 said:
The only stats that matter as far as I’m concerned:
44
34
31
37
34

We are giving up 36 points per game in SEC play… it’s time to make some changes on that side of the ball.
Click to expand...

This may come as a shock to some but the ability to pull in a better staff on defense won’t be as easy as “buying them” to come.

Given all the firings and new openings that will be filled, getting a quality staff to come here that wants to coach a defense that will always be on the field longer than the offense is gonna be tough.

Heupel’s offense is one reason the other teams get a lot of drives and possessions. Convincing a top tier DC to come here compared to other programs with balanced
Offenses will be an issue.
 
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#8
#8
Tman44 said:
I decided to ask Grok "How bad is the Tennessee Vol Defense?" This is what Grok had to say.

The Tennessee Volunteers' defense in the 2025 season has had a mixed performance, with notable strengths but also some areas of concern. Here's a breakdown based on available information:Strengths:
  • Depth and Balance: Tennessee's defense is characterized by depth across all position groups, with 26 different defenders recording tackles early in the season. The defensive line, led by veterans like Tyre West, Bryson Eason, and Omari Thomas, has been disruptive, combining for three sacks and multiple tackles for loss in games. The linebacker unit, anchored by Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander, has been a strength, contributing significantly to the team's 53 tackles in a single game.

    si.com
  • Turnover Creation: The Vols have been effective at forcing turnovers, with two turnovers in their recent game against Kentucky, including a pick-six by Edrees Farooq. They’ve forced more turnovers (11) than touchdowns allowed (8) through seven games, ranking them among the top FBS teams in this category.

    si.com
  • Elite Defensive Line: Under coach Rodney Garner, Tennessee has built one of the SEC's best defensive lines, with players like James Pearce Jr. and Dominic Bailey stepping up. This unit has been key in disrupting opposing offenses, as seen in their ability to pressure quarterbacks and limit rushing yards (e.g., holding Georgia to a season-low 59 rushing yards in 2024).

    espn.com
  • Third-Down Defense: Tennessee ranks in the top five nationally in third-down defense, showcasing their ability to get off the field and limit opponents' possessions.
Weaknesses:
  • Pass Defense Struggles: The Volunteers' secondary has been a weak point, allowing an average of 257.8 passing yards per game, which ranks last in the SEC. This vulnerability was highlighted in posts on X, where Alabama's quarterback Ty Simpson was asked about exploiting Tennessee’s secondary.
  • Inconsistent Run Defense: While the defensive line is strong, there have been games where the run defense has struggled. Posts on X have noted fan frustration with the defense’s inability to consistently stop the run, particularly in losses like the one against Alabama (37-20).

    bleacherreport.com
  • Points Allowed: Despite their turnover success, Tennessee has given up an "unhealthy amount of points" in some games, such as the Kentucky matchup, which could be a concern against high-powered SEC offenses like Oklahoma or Vanderbilt.

    si.com
  • Injury Concerns: Key players like linebacker Arion Carter, who leads the team with 61 tackles, have been dealing with injuries (turf toe in both feet), impacting performance. The secondary is also one injury away from relying on inexperienced players, which could exacerbate pass defense issues.

    247sports.com

    rockytoptalk.com
Recent Game Context:
  • Kentucky (Oct 25, 2025): Tennessee’s defense performed well in creating turnovers, including a pick-six, but still allowed points that raised concerns about their ability to close out games against stronger opponents. The Vols won, but the defense needs to tighten up to compete with elite teams.

    si.com
  • Alabama (Oct 18, 2025): The defense struggled in a 37-20 loss, with fans and analysts noting poor tackling and coverage issues. This game highlighted ongoing frustrations with defensive consistency.

    bleacherreport.com
  • Overall Record: Tennessee stands at 5-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC play, indicating the defense has been good enough to keep them competitive but not dominant enough to avoid losses against top-tier teams.

    cbssports.com
Summary: The Tennessee Volunteers' defense is not "bad" but is inconsistent. It boasts a strong, deep defensive line and effective linebacker play, with standout performances in turnover creation and third-down defense. However, the secondary’s struggles against the pass and occasional lapses in run defense have been exploited by opponents, leading to fan frustration and concerns about their ability to handle elite SEC offenses. Injuries to key players like Arion Carter could further expose weaknesses, particularly in the secondary. To improve, Tennessee needs to shore up its pass defense and maintain consistency against the run, especially as they face tougher opponents like Oklahoma and Vanderbilt.
Click to expand...
That’s can’t be right about 3rd down D. And I don’t see how we’ve only given up 8 TDs. While I agree that the D has some positives and isn’t a total train wreck a la Sunseri like some suggest, I don’t believe this info to be accurate.
 
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#9
#9
JMSqb11 said:
This may come as a shock to some but the ability to pull in a better staff on defense won’t be as easy as “buying them” to come.

Given all the firings and new openings that will be filled, getting a quality staff to come here that wants to coach a defense that will always be on the field longer than the offense is gonna be tough.

Heupel’s offense is one reason the other teams get a lot of drives and possessions. Convincing a top tier DC to come here compared to other programs with balanced
Offenses will be an issue.
Click to expand...
It’s not a simple as PPG against either but there’s no point of a nuanced discussion with most on here.
 
#11
#11
hUTch2002 said:
It’s not a simple as PPG against either but there’s no point of a nuanced discussion with most on here.
Click to expand...

Correct. These coaches like Pry and others who got fired and have defensive background will be looking for new DC jobs. Asking them to come entertain being a DC at Tennessee where the offense is second to last nationally in time of possession is not an intriguing proposition when you’re wanting to rehab your career.
 
#12
#12
Good point on Pry. However some of the fired coaches may want to join the Heupel machine as an analyst - keep their resume alive while they enjoy their fine paychecks from their last gig. Also they may bring in some talented transfers and poach affordable talent to build quality depth quickly. A number of SEC coordinators and key coaches will be looking for work.
 
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#13
#13
knox73 said:
Good point on Pry. However some of the fired coaches may want to join the Heupel machine as an analyst - keep their resume alive while they enjoy their fine paychecks from their last gig. Also they may bring in some talented transfers and poach affordable talent to build quality depth quickly. A number of SEC coordinators and key coaches will be looking for work.
Click to expand...

Given the mass firings and subsequent openings, guys like Pry won’t have to settle for an analyst role. They will easily get gobbled up for DC jobs if they want.
 
#14
#14
Tman44 said:
I decided to ask Grok "How bad is the Tennessee Vol Defense?" This is what Grok had to say.

The Tennessee Volunteers' defense in the 2025 season has had a mixed performance, with notable strengths but also some areas of concern. Here's a breakdown based on available information:Strengths:
  • Depth and Balance: Tennessee's defense is characterized by depth across all position groups, with 26 different defenders recording tackles early in the season. The defensive line, led by veterans like Tyre West, Bryson Eason, and Omari Thomas, has been disruptive, combining for three sacks and multiple tackles for loss in games. The linebacker unit, anchored by Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander, has been a strength, contributing significantly to the team's 53 tackles in a single game.

    si.com
  • Turnover Creation: The Vols have been effective at forcing turnovers, with two turnovers in their recent game against Kentucky, including a pick-six by Edrees Farooq. They’ve forced more turnovers (11) than touchdowns allowed (8) through seven games, ranking them among the top FBS teams in this category.

    si.com
  • Elite Defensive Line: Under coach Rodney Garner, Tennessee has built one of the SEC's best defensive lines, with players like James Pearce Jr. and Dominic Bailey stepping up. This unit has been key in disrupting opposing offenses, as seen in their ability to pressure quarterbacks and limit rushing yards (e.g., holding Georgia to a season-low 59 rushing yards in 2024).

    espn.com
  • Third-Down Defense: Tennessee ranks in the top five nationally in third-down defense, showcasing their ability to get off the field and limit opponents' possessions.
Weaknesses:
  • Pass Defense Struggles: The Volunteers' secondary has been a weak point, allowing an average of 257.8 passing yards per game, which ranks last in the SEC. This vulnerability was highlighted in posts on X, where Alabama's quarterback Ty Simpson was asked about exploiting Tennessee’s secondary.
  • Inconsistent Run Defense: While the defensive line is strong, there have been games where the run defense has struggled. Posts on X have noted fan frustration with the defense’s inability to consistently stop the run, particularly in losses like the one against Alabama (37-20).

    bleacherreport.com
  • Points Allowed: Despite their turnover success, Tennessee has given up an "unhealthy amount of points" in some games, such as the Kentucky matchup, which could be a concern against high-powered SEC offenses like Oklahoma or Vanderbilt.

    si.com
  • Injury Concerns: Key players like linebacker Arion Carter, who leads the team with 61 tackles, have been dealing with injuries (turf toe in both feet), impacting performance. The secondary is also one injury away from relying on inexperienced players, which could exacerbate pass defense issues.

    247sports.com

    rockytoptalk.com
Recent Game Context:
  • Kentucky (Oct 25, 2025): Tennessee’s defense performed well in creating turnovers, including a pick-six, but still allowed points that raised concerns about their ability to close out games against stronger opponents. The Vols won, but the defense needs to tighten up to compete with elite teams.

    si.com
  • Alabama (Oct 18, 2025): The defense struggled in a 37-20 loss, with fans and analysts noting poor tackling and coverage issues. This game highlighted ongoing frustrations with defensive consistency.

    bleacherreport.com
  • Overall Record: Tennessee stands at 5-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC play, indicating the defense has been good enough to keep them competitive but not dominant enough to avoid losses against top-tier teams.

    cbssports.com
Summary: The Tennessee Volunteers' defense is not "bad" but is inconsistent. It boasts a strong, deep defensive line and effective linebacker play, with standout performances in turnover creation and third-down defense. However, the secondary’s struggles against the pass and occasional lapses in run defense have been exploited by opponents, leading to fan frustration and concerns about their ability to handle elite SEC offenses. Injuries to key players like Arion Carter could further expose weaknesses, particularly in the secondary. To improve, Tennessee needs to shore up its pass defense and maintain consistency against the run, especially as they face tougher opponents like Oklahoma and Vanderbilt.
Click to expand...
I was looking at the roster this morning. The back end of our defense is filled with freshman and sophomores. I’m thinking as they grow on the job and when the Adidas money comes in, we’re gonna get all this fixed.
 
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#15
#15
JMSqb11 said:
Heupel’s offense is one reason the other teams get a lot of drives and possessions. Convincing a top tier DC to come here compared to other programs with balanced
Offenses will be an issue.
Click to expand...

This! We give our opponent a lot of opportunities to score, more so than teams that look strong defensively. Even if you had the best of the best defensive coach, if you are giving the other team the ball back every 2 or so minutes - you are going to wear your OWN defense down.
 
#16
#16
volfan102455 said:
This! We give our opponent a lot of opportunities to score, more so than teams that look strong defensively. Even if you had the best of the best defensive coach, if you are giving the other team the ball back every 2 or so minutes - you are going to wear your OWN defense down.
Click to expand...

I just looked. We held the ball 24 minutes last night. Lol. Kentucky had 12 drives. Scored on 5 of them.
 
#19
#19
And if I counted right - we had the ball 11 times and scored on 7. We were not trying to score on the last one, just running out the clock - so that is really 7 out of 10. The other score was the defense.

We score 7/10 and the opponent scores 5/12 - we win the game always.
 
#20
#20
Budalicious said:
I was looking at the roster this morning. The back end of our defense is filled with freshman and sophomores. I’m thinking as they grow on the job and when the Adidas money comes in, we’re gonna get all this fixed.
Click to expand...
We also have studs in Joel Wyatt and Salesi Moa coming in. I really hope were just seeing growing pains on D.
 
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#23
#23
What does Mecha-Hitler know about football? 😄

In case you didn't realize it, you've just used an expensive search engine enabled auto complete to find the most likely next word in response to a given question, with some degree of arbitrary selection thrown in. If it doesn't have the sources to support what it has written, it can invent sources that seem plausible.

A funny example for me is a colleague that asked an LLM for a list of all the boats that sank in Long Island Sound in the 1980s, along with sources describing each incident. It came up with a list of 3 sinkings and news articles from New York and Connecticut about each sinking. All 3 boats did not exist. All of the news articles did not exist either. 😄
 
#24
#24
I was listening to Crompton in his post game podcast and he was talking about the defense. He brought up a great point about tackling. And it’s what I have thought all along. The ability to tackle falls 100% on the player. The player has to have the want to tackle. You can’t coach that.

He also brought up another point. Who could we get that would 100% be an upgrade? PSU hired Jim Knowles away from OSU and their defense isn’t lights out. Also would there be difficulty in finding a DC that knows Heupels system and can tailor his defense to compliment that system? I am all for firing Banks. But the question of who do you get is an intriguing one none the less.
 
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