Say what you will but our defense play is just as important as who our qb is if not more.

[volfan2024]

Last year they really folded cost us a lot of games.

 

[GordonC]

Next season cannot get here quickly enough....also shuddup joe

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Last year they really folded cost us a lot of games.

By that same breath, the year before they’re the only reason we weren’t a 6-8 win team.

 

[Unconditional Surrender]

 

[GAVol]

 

[GoVols15]

Defense wins CHAMPIONSHIPS! If they cannot score they cannot win!

 

[casual-observer]

By that same breath, the year before they’re the only reason we weren’t a 6-8 win team.

Great callout. So true AND bizarre. In four of Heupel and Banks five years, defense has been bottom 100. And one year, They looked like superstars.

Can you imagine how much fun Tennessee football will be if they can get both sides working at the same time? It’ll be like the 2019 Joe Burrow led LSU Tigers.

 

[IndianaVol]

If I've learned anything in 5 years, it's that Heupel's system works best with a Defense that can get at least one 3 and out in the game.

That one series advantage is enough.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

QB-ing wise, we're going to be better than you think. Defensively, i think we will be something like a sort of 3-3-5 Gus Bradley's Indianapolis Colts Defenses Were Bend-But-Don't-Break defense. They will horrify us many times, but somehow often pull it off. I see another 9 or 10 win season. We may have a two QB system, but unique where, oh, I don't know, GMac is boss for three games, then Faizon Brandon for three, back and forth. Unorthodox, insane speculation, I admit, but 2026, will as crazy a season as the national political and geopolitical year. It's going to be beyond wild. Buckle up up Volnation, for one heck of a ride.

​

 

[volfan102455]

And it is even more important now.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Defense wins CHAMPIONSHIPS! If they cannot score they cannot win!

And if we can’t score, we don’t win either.

 

[WaywardVol]

Last year they really folded cost us a lot of games.

Schedule going to a new level. Vol fans I. For rude awakening as a soft schedule for two years covered up this team’s deficiencies. Cant hide this year. You need progress in all three phases of the game and I don’t see it breaking in a new QB amd losing a 1st round talent at WR.

 

[GoVols15]

And if we can’t score, we don’t win either.

True, but GREAT defenses score points!

 

[sjt18]

Nothing has really changed. UT needs to run the ball and play great D then layer the passing game on top. The first two are the foundation for a good season. Adding horsepower through the passing game determines how good.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

True, but GREAT defenses score points!

Not enough to beat SEC teams. Plus, defenses do not have very good Quaterbacks.