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Tennessee football report card: Grading the Vols in loss to Georgia State

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: J.T. Shrout #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers warms up before facing the Georgia State Panthers during the season opener at Neyland Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: J.T. Shrout #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers warms up before facing the Georgia State Panthers during the season opener at Neyland Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images /

Defense

Defensive line: F

We all knew Tennessee football would struggle up front after losing all three starters from last year and then its only returning contributor. Throwing in a bunch of transfers wouldn’t fix that. But they were horrendous on Saturday, allowing the Georgia State Panthers to get whatever they wanted. If we could give an F-, we would. The back seven was awful as well, but it was limited due to how awful this unit was.

Linebackers: D-

Outside linebackers made a couple of nice plays, which is why this unit got a D-. But they still got faked out far too often as a unit on Dan Ellington’s option plays, and this was the unit that got most exposed. Without Daniel Bituli, the group had no idea how to contain GSU’s offense. And it showed in the worst way.

Secondary: F

It’s one thing for the defensive line and the linebackers to struggle with so much attrition and no Bituli. But the secondary had guys like Nigel Warrior, a veteran, and budding superstars like Alontae Taylor. Even without Bryce Thompson, they should have been solid. The unit did only allow 139 yards passing to Ellington, but they allowed two touchdowns, and they were needed to contain the rushing attack. They failed miserably.

Overall defensive grade: F

Tennessee football’s defense could not stop this offense to save its life. The Vols gave up 38 points to a 2-10 Sun Belt team, and it could have been worse. It all started up front, but the entire unit was horrendous.

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