JD PicKell challenges Tennessee's defense to be 5 percent better

Coming off one of the program’s best season’s in the 21st century, Tennessee is looking to take a step forward. To do that, the Volunteers will need to find a way to improve the defensive side of the ball.

On3’s JD PicKell explained that for Tennessee to improve in 2023, the Volunteer’s defense needs to be five percent better.

“The next step, for Tennessee as a team to get to where they want to be, to competing for the College Football Playoff, to winning the SEC,” JD PicKell said. “It sounds simple, again, but here’s the reality, can you get five percent better on defense in 2023? Just five percent.”

“You don’t need to become a top-five defense in the entire country. Can you get five percent better, especially in that secondary?” JD PicKell continued.

“Secondary wasn’t bad. Secondary, statistically, has things that you would like to see more of. But, when you turn on the tape, it wasn’t like there was just no talent out there. It wasn’t like there was no personnel to be able to be successful.”

Tennessee finished the season just 91st in total defense and 36th in scoring defense. A lot of those yards were given up by the secondary. The Volunteers allowed 289.5 yards passing per game. That was 127th in the country.

JD PicKell pointed out that the defense showed up at times, but was just inconsistent. Now that Tennessee is turning to a new quarterback, the team needs the defense to step up to survive any potential growing pains on the offensive side of the ball.

“But can you allow them some margin for error? Because there were times last year where it felt like, hey, we might have to score 50 to win this game. That’s fine. I mean, Tennessee was one of the best offenses in the country. You were able to score right around 50 to be able to win games, but if you can take some pressure off the offense as it’s developing, as it’s getting its sea legs, that would make you a more complete football team and that would allow you to take that next step as a team,” JD PicKell said.

JD PicKell says the Volunteers need to beat Georgia or Bama

There’s no denying that Josh Heupel and Tennessee have a lot of momentum going into next season. However, as JD PicKell explained, the Volunteers need to beat either Georgia or Alabama to keep that momentum rolling.

“I think it’s very important for Tennessee to take that next step to be a championship-level team. I need you to beat Georgia or Alabama,” JD PicKell said.

“If you can beat both, you’re likely playing for a national title. But, here’s the reason why I say you need to beat at least one of those teams, think about last season. Think about beating Alabama and just the juice that gave your program. You finished 10-2, but having one of those wins against Bama just meant so much more.”