After suffering a 34-3 loss at the hands of the No. 3 Ole Miss Rebels, the Tennessee Volunteers’ defense returned to Haslam practice field on Tuesday to prepare to face another top-5 opponent in the Alabama Crimson Tide.
While it was not the outcome they wanted, the Tennessee defense put together a strong showing Saturday night in Oxford, forcing punts on Ole Miss’ first seven possessions.
Now the Tennessee defense faces the task of stopping an Alabama offense that features physical play in the trenches and playmakers such as running back Derrick Henry and Heisman candidate wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Freshmen defensive end Derek Barnett has plenty of experience competing against physical offensive lineman,
“Last week, they were big as well, physical,” Barnett said. “I think that it is just back-to-back two physical ball games. (We) got to come ready to play.”
Barnett’s best: Barnett played one of his best games in his young career as Volunteer against Ole Miss. The freshmen defensive end recorded 10 tackles and two sacks in the loss against the Rebels.
Barnett claimed, though, that his individual accomplishments for the game do not matter in light of his team’s loss.
He did, however, offer ways in which he could improve even more.
“(I’ve) got to keep up on my pass rush moves, keep watching film.” Barnett said.
Barnett cited confidence and his ability to quickly forget his mistakes as the reasons for his propensity to make plays for the Tennessee defense.
“I am confident in myself. God gave me a bunch of abilities, so I feel like I can make the play at any moment,” Barnett said. “I just have to play hard, but I have a snap-and-clear mindset, so if I mess up, I just have to do better on the next play.”
While Barnett continues to remain focused on improving and preparing for Alabama’s physical offensive line, there is one game storyline he has completely ignored.
“I haven’t heard any Kiffin talk, I really don’t know Kiffin. I mean I know he is a coach.” Barnett said.
Takeaway troubles: While the Tennessee defense has been impressive this year, senior linebacker A.J. Johnson acknowledged that the defense needs to be better in forcing turnovers after failing to record a single turnover in the loss against Ole Miss.
“We’ve got to get more turnovers,” Johnson said. “That is one thing we have not been generating a lot of, so that is a big thing that coach has been stressing. Getting a turnover will help.”
The Tennessee defense will have the opportunity to force turnovers against an Alabama offense that ranks 79th in turnover margin per game.
Rivalry relevance: The defense does not need to be reminded about the importance to the Tennessee football program of the game against Alabama.
While Barnett admitted he doesn’t know too much about the rivalry as a freshman yet, he knows that he is going to have to play his best against the Crimson Tide.
“I know this is a good team and I am going to have to bring my A game and be ready play this weekend because they are good.” Barnett said.
While some of the freshmen may be new to the rivalry, Johnson said he believes he doesn’t have to remind them about what the Alabama game means to Tennessee.
“I feel like I really don’t have to say much,” Johnson said. “A lot of guys from Tennessee so they pretty much know how this game is a big rival game.”
