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Tennessee football report card: Grading the Vols in loss to Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers on the sidelines during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers on the sidelines during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images /

Defense

Defensive Line: B-

You can point to the 218 rushing yards. I’m going to put that on Tennessee football’s defensive line being on the field too long without having enough depth and also not having much help on the back end. The Vols still managed to make some plays up front. In fact, Tua Tagovailoa’s first touchdown was made difficult by the pressure. He just made an amazing play. Then there was the Kyle Phillips pick-six in the third quarter. That’s enough to give this unit some credit in a rough defensive outing.

Linebackers: D

This is the unit that gets the most blame for the struggles on defense. They offered no help to the defensive line on the back end, and they also couldn’t cover the middle of the field in the passing game. The Vols are supposed to be strong here, but that didn’t show too much. Quart’e Sapp and Daniel Bituli racked up stats while Darrin Kirkland Jr. was in on some plays. But overall, they couldn’t stop the running game or defend the physical guys in the passing game. Tight end Irv Smith Jr. did have 50 yards and a touchdown reception. They also missed chances to make plays in the backfield. So these guys were actually the weakest part of the defense.

Defensive Backs: C-

On paper, the Vols’ defensive backs were far and away the worst performers in this game. However, again, they were going up against the best quarterback maybe ever in college and the second best quarterback in the SEC off the bench while facing the greatest team of all time, maybe. What chance did they have? Bryce Thompson gave up a touchdown on the first drive on a play he defended beautifully. It was way more about Alabama’s receivers doing everything right and Tua Tagovailoa throwing perfect passes than it was those guys. We noticed that easily, so although they got abused, they only deserve a C-. Getting abused is hitting par for this team.

Overall defensive grade: C-

Tennessee football’s defense did give up 58 points. But nine of those were due to the offense, from a safety and a turnovers. And that safety along with a miscalculated onside kick, in which another touchdown was scored, spotted the Tide in good field position. So it wasn’t as awful as it looked until the unit got tired in the second half.

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