In 2017, the Tennessee defense, once again decimated by injury, had trouble stopping opponents. It ranked 81st out of 129 FBS teams in total defense, giving up an average of just under 413 yards per game.
In the SEC, that is recipe for disaster, and it was, as the Vols finished last in the Eastern Division.
What can we expect from Tennessee in 2018?
Let’s start with the alignment change. New Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt and defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer are moving the Vols from a 4-3 (four down lineman and three linebackers) to a 3-4.