Another big offense vs defense challenge awaits tonight, but it may be the Vol defense that can make the biggest difference against the Dawgs.
The Vols narrowly missed a second straight signature victory on Saturday, but there is still significant cause for optimism. Against what is currently the the 17th toughest schedule in the nation by RPI, Tennessee is 8-7 (1-2) with a number of near misses. In fact, KenPom's luck rating finds the Vols 336th of 351 teams (shout out to Vanderbilt in dead last). This is in part due to so many close losses, and in part a comment on opponents out-performing their own expectations against Tennessee.