Before the week 10 matchup, Josh Heupel was confident, saying problems with the defense were “correctable” and “fixable.” But Tennessee suffered a heartbreaking fate in Week 10.  The loss to Oklahoma ended their playoff hopes. It’s a disappointing reality for a team that was charging through the conference at one point. But that did not mean Volunteers was without fault. According to Joel Klatt, the HC’s inclination offence-first approach has been a problem area for UT all season long.

Entering the Week 10 clash, Tennessee’s offense was one of the best in the country. But according to Klatt, it is Heupel’s reliance on the offense that has flawed the defense this season. “They also use a very fast tempo and pace to their offense. They snap the football a lot. What that leads to with the aggressive style is that it leaves your defense exposed,” he said in a November 3 episode of his show. Sure, the Vols are putting up big scores in games. But the push on the offense causes the defense to pick up extra workload on the field.

“They don’t play complementary football,” Klatt highlighted as the reason for Tennessee losing big games. Tennessee’s offense is prolific because the unit puts forward a lot of snaps. The defense, in turn, has to be at risk of being on the field for a longer time with a lot to defend. Before the week 10 clash, among 16 SEC teams, Tennessee ranked 15th in scoring defense, 15th in total defense, 11th in rushing defense, and last in pass defense. Clearly, an issue that the HC is yet to figure out.

Higher scores mean higher snap counts to defend, because even the opposing offenses are going to try and put forward those scores. Klatt highlighted the extra workload by comparing how Ohio State is working its units.“Ohio State’s defense faces right now 57 snaps per game. Tennessee’s defense faces 73 snaps per game,” he said. UT averaged 50.6 points per game across its 6 wins. No wonder those snap counts are high. Ohio State, on the other hand, is averaging 36.6 points per game. Fast offenses are nothing new at Knoxville.

Tennessee has utilized offenses that are quick and explosive in 2021 and 2022. But it had also struck a balance with the defense. The Vols were averaging only 19.2 seconds per play in 2021. That led the defense to face 84 snaps per game. However, this season, Josh Heupel and Co. seem to have disregarded the defensive workload to help the offense shine. In comparison, Klatt regarded OSU as playing smart football.

“If they wanted to go score 60, they could do it. If they wanted to throw for 500 yards, they could do that. But they don’t. Why? Because they’re protecting their defense,” he said. Josh Heupel is an offensive-minded coach, which has pushed this group into overdrive this season. The defense has been left open for attacks a whole lot because of that decision.

Also, it doesn’t help that the Tennessee defense also operated on a bad level in general this year. But is the roster also a factor in the Vols’ poor defensive production?

The weak Tennessee roster might be a reason for the overall poor defensive showcase

Tennessee’s defense has put in some work to be proud of. Entering the Oklahoma game, the Vols tied and led the country for the most defensive TDs (5). But the overall numbers tell another story. Tennessee ranks 97th in total defense and has given up 395.9 yards per game. The workload is heavy on this side, courtesy of the offense. But Josh Heupel doesn’t have the required manpower to back that effort. He did it last time because he had good defensive players.

The performing safety from last season is no longer at Knoxville. Heupel didn’t add any from the transfer portal, which has brought rookie players up for the action. The cornerbacks have been struggling with injuries for a long time as well. Arion Carter, the leading tackler for the Vols, was restricted against Oklahoma. Tennessee also didn’t have Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III.

The inexperience that is now leading the front may be a key reason why Tennessee’s defense earned the bad rap. Freshman Ty Redmond, for example, had 8 missed tackles before the OU game – the second highest on the team. Tennessee only has a bowl game to look forward to now. But Josh Heupel’s push on the offense and the unnecessary load on the defense will continue to be a talking point in Knoxville. Will he bring about a change in these remaining few games and earn some space to breathe easy?