Folks aren't talking enough about Anthony Poindexter (Co-DC/Secondary) and Derek Jones (Cornerbacks). They have done a RIDICULOUS job with the Tennessee secondary. Since Rodney Garner has been at Tennessee, I have worried little about the DL (they continue to feast). Inge has had the LB looking solid since 2024. I was nervous about the secondary but elated that Tennessee finally made a change in coaching for the position group. It has paid off exponentially. The Vols were 113th in passing defense a season ago. Through seven games this season, Tennessee is 8th in passing defense. It cannot be overstated how much improvement has been made in a very short amount of time.

TN/AL takeaways: - Tennessee has a top 3 defense nationally. - DeSean Bishop remains the most underrated running back in the nation. - GMac is a serviceable QB that made good decisions all day as well as some great throws. The INT wasn't on him. - Rename DaSaan Brame "Mel Gibson" because he is a LETHAL weapon. - Xavier Gilliam is an absolute machine. - Tennessee was always going to be okay at QB, no matter which QB they chose. - People are STILL going to complain. - Tennessee is 6-1 (3-1) and is in complete control of its destiny STILL, and only has a 3-point loss to the then-number-one-ranked Texas. - Life is good this evening, folks.