Opposing head coach makes very strong statement about Tennessee Vols after reveal of College Football Playoff rankings
The Tennessee Vols' defense has been viewed as "elite" all season by fans and by the media. Tennessee has the No. 5 scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 12.4 points per game through the first eight games of the season. The Vols also have the best defensive stop rate in college football (per ESPN). […]
The Tennessee Vols' defense has been viewed as "elite" all season by fans and by the media.
Tennessee has the No. 5 scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 12.4 points per game through the first eight games of the season. The Vols also have the best defensive stop rate in college football (per ESPN).
The numbers say the Vols' defense is elite. But what do opposing coaches who have played against Tennessee think?
Well, they agree.
An anonymous Power-4 head coach told The Athletic this week, after the initial College Football Playoff rankings were revealed (UT is ranked No. 7), that Tennessee's defense is the best that his program has faced in years.
“I think their defense is the best we’ve faced in years,” said the Power-4 head coach to The Athletic. “Their front seven is elite. They’re really phenomenal on defense. Their back, Dylan Sampson, is very good. The question is whether their young quarterback (Nico Iamaleava) is ready to win games against big-time opponents. Can he consistently get it done? They’re gonna need a little more from him. I am curious to see how he handles playing at Georgia."
Between the numbers and that comment from an opposing head coach, I don't think there's any doubt that Tennessee has one of the top defenses in the nation (the Vols very well may have the best defense in the nation).
If Tennessee's offense starts clicking and executing at a high level over the last few weeks of the regular season, the Vols will be an extremely dangerous team come playoff time. I can guarantee you that no one wants to play Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in a playoff game in December. Not with the way the Vols' defense, and the Tennessee fan base, has performed this season.
