The Tennessee Vols' defense has received plenty of criticism through the first four weeks of the 2023 season. 

Most of that criticism stems from the 26 points that Tennessee gave up during the first half of their 29-16 loss to the Florida Gators. 

While the Vols certainly had a bad half against Florida (it was really just a bad second quarter where things kind of snowballed), the defense hasn't been nearly as bad as social media would lead you to believe. 

In fact, Tennessee's defense has actually been pretty good. The Vols are allowing just 17.2 points per game through the first four games of the season, which is No. 29 in the nation. 

Even more impressively, Tennessee is leading the SEC in fewest yards allowed per play at 4.21 yards per play. The only programs in the nation that have been better so far this season are UCLA, Syracuse, Penn State, Ohio State, Duke, and Notre Dame. 

Now, I'm sure there will be some folks who immediately point to the Vols' schedule through the first four weeks of the season (Virginia, Austin Peay, Florida, and UTSA) as a reason why this stat doesn't mean much. But I'm not sure that's totally fair. 

For starters, the season is already a third of the way over. It's a large enough sample size to get a decent idea of how teams stack up this far through the season. 

And it's not like anyone is questioning Georgia, which is allowing 11 points per game so far this season (and 4.31 yards per play, which is behind Tennessee). And the Bulldogs have played a softer schedule than the Vols so far (Georgia has played Ball State, UT-Martin, South Carolina, and UAB). 

Tennessee will be the first to tell you that they need to continue to improve defensively. The only defensive rankings that matter will be at the end of the season. 

But this idea that the Vols' defense has been a disaster this season just isn't accurate. 

Tennessee is always going to be more susceptible to giving up a large amount of points because of their style of offense. But on a per play basis, the Vols have been among the best in the country this season. If that continues, then Tennessee still has a shot to achieve some of the goals they set for the 2023 season. 

The Tennessee fan base needs to learn an important lesson from a team the Vols destroyed last season

It’s an important lesson for Volunteers fans

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