Tennessee entered the season replacing six of the seven starters on the defensive line and at linebacker.  Particularly, the challenge has been up front.

Phil Fulmer was asked during Thursday's Outback Bowl Joint Press Conference about the Volunteer defensive woes.  His response? 

"We've got a ton of issues and problems particularly defensively. We haven't played at the level defensively this year as we have in the past.  We have great concern going into this game with their running game and being able to stop that.  We have not really played particularly well since California and Alabama.  We have not been ourselves on defense this year at all."

Tennessee gave up 281 yards rushing to Air Force in a one point victory and 231 yards to LSU in a four point loss.  Ryan Williams of Air Force rushed for 99 yards against the Vols while JeMarcus Russel of LSU ran for 82.

Source: http://utsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/tenn-m-footbl-body.html