Tennessee football’s defense is in elite company to start the year

Tennessee football is off to one of the best starts in the country. The Vols have outscored opponents 120-13 in its first two games of the season and have not allowed an offensive touchdown to start the year. 

The Vols' defense has allowed 370 total yards in its first two games, which is only 185 yards per game. That's pretty good for a team not known for having a good defense in the Heupel era. The run defense has been even better, averaging 56.5 rushing yards per game. 

They are also in elite company, not allowing an offensive touchdown in the last 12 quarters. That goes back to the Citrus Bowl at the end of last season, where Tennessee won 35-0. That means Tennessee has outscored opponents 155-13 in its last 12 quarters, which have all been pure domination. 

Many people have focused on redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava during the past three games, as those are his first three career starts, but the Vols' defense has been more impressive during that three-game stretch. 

Tennessee is one of two teams, along with Georgia, that has not allowed an offensive touchdown in the past 12 quarters. If Tennessee's defense can keep up that kind of production, the Vols might be closer to a National Championship than some may think. 

Part of the increased production on defense comes from the head coach's attitude about creating an elite defense. Josh Heupel had a great quote after the 51-10 win against North Carolina State about Tennesse's expectations on defense.

The Vols expect the defense to be elite, and if they can come close to achieving that, the offense will take them as high as they want to go in college football. 

Tennessee will look to continue the defensive pressure on Saturday when Kent State comes to town. The Golden Flashes don't have a great offense, but they will hope to ignite something under the lights on Rocky Top when they kick off at 7:45 PM ET on the SEC Network.