Tennessee’s starting defense was outright overwhelming last week against UVA. I expect that to be the case again Saturday against Austin Peay — at least for a little while.
DraftKings put out an off-the-wall, 62.5-point spread, so I’d say we’ll get a heavy dose of the recently added youth in the Vols’ revamped defense.
Since Heupel’s first class in 2022 — counting the portal — Tennessee’s signed four, 4-or-5-star edge rushers, three 4-or-5-star DL, four 3-star DL, nine 3-or-4-star DBs and 5 three-four-or-five star linebackers.
I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count that kind of influx of young talent, but it looks like the staff has added 25 players to the defensive side of the ball in its two recruiting cycles since Heupel took the job.