Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks previews Georgia game

Everything Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks said during his press conference on Tuesday, looking ahead other Saturday night’s game at Georgia:

Tennessee’s run defense numbers being worse the past couple weeks

“I’m gonna be totally honest with you. I have no idea what our rush defense (numbers) looks like, and that’s the honest to God truth. Every game’s a new game, a different game. We do what we need to do to try to win the game. So I think Kentucky was a good running team. They did a tremendous job. Obviously, Mississippi State did a good job running the ball. So,  yeah, we don’t want guys running the ball. We don’t want guys throwing the ball but the objective is to win the game. So we’re always going do what we need to do to try to win. We’ve been very fortunate the last couple of weeks.”

If their run fits don’t seem as strong when he’s watching the tape

“I think every rep is a different rep. I don’t think collectively, we’ve had a bunch of misfits or things of that nature. Were we perfect? Absolutely not. There’s things we wanna make sure we continue to clean up and get better weekend week in week out. But, yeah, I think schematically, being able to, you know, take some pressure off the back end, playing with some lighter boxes. Obviously, it’ll lead to some bigger run plays. So we try to pick our poison. When I got here, I told you, we’re gonna stop the run at all costs. And we still want to do that, but we also need to play to our strengths.”

The defensive line or linebackers are more responsible for run issues

“No. I mean, I think again, it’s the SEC. It’s really good programs here. It’s always going to be a challenge to stop the run week-in, week-out. Obviously, there’s things we want to continue to do better and continue to grow. But we’re excited about our young  linebackers from Telander to AC. And I think those guys have done a remarkable job helping us win. But every week, we’re trying to get better to stop the run. We would love for KP (Keenan Pili) to still be with us. But at this point, we have what we have, and we’re proud of the way they’re working right now.”

How much more prepared they are as a defense for this game then the 2022 Georgia game

“I mean, we think we’re obviously a more experienced team. We think we’re talented. Athens is obviously a tough place to play just like all the SEC schools. So we know we’re going to have our work cut out. We’re gonna go down there and give it our best shot to be able to come out with a victory. Like I said earlier, the guys are excited about it. They love playing football. Obviously, having a chance to play Georgia is a bonus. But we just enjoy playing. Obviously get a chance to go on the road, we know what we gotta do to be successful. It’s gonna be to play hard, play tough, and be physical.”

The key to forcing so many turnovers the last few weeks

“I think it’s a credit to the kids and how hard they’re playing and how physical they’re playing. Like I said, if we could bottle it up we would do it every year, every time we get a chance. But I think it’s just because of the guys who are playing with such confidence, and how hard they’re playing is leading to some really good takeaways.”

Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr having a sack in eight straight games

“I think James has been playing hard and playing well all year. He’s played on the edges. I think he’s gotten a lot of pressures and I guess he’s getting some sacks. So I think it’s just him continuing to stay the course, continuing to work hard, not worrying about the stats so to speak. It’s just been fortunate these last couple games he’s been able to get some sacks.”

The key for Tennessee freshman DB Boo Carter to replicate his strong performance against Mississippi State

“You know, it’s a one game season. Every rep for us, we talk about being 1-0. No tackles, no play we made last game carries over for the next game. So that’s the message to him but that’s the message to our defense. We got to snap and clear. We flush the victory and we move on. 

I am proud of Boo, just how hard he’s playing. He’s getting better week-in and week-out. But I can say that about a lot of our guys. But Boo gets it? He understands, he has to continue to put on tape every week. And so far he’s been up for that challenge.”

What the Ole Miss defense did to have so much success against Georgia 

“I mean, I think Ole Miss played extremely hard. They made their plays that they needed to make. I mean, Ole Miss is a good team, I would assume by looking at their defense. I think it’s challenging to play on the road anywhere in the country. Obviously, Georgia went to Ole Miss and Ole Miss played with their hair on fire from what we can see on defense. So for us, we obviously worry about us and how hard we can play and putting ourselves in the best position to be able to make some plays when we get those opportunities as well.”

Turnover margin being a key with Georgia’s recent issues

“It’s always big. We’re always trying to get our ball back for our offense and get those guys a chance to do what they do. I don’t know if it’s any bigger this game than any game that we play, but the the team that gets the ball the most is usually the team that wins. So we’re going to do the best we can to try to create some takeaways.”

Why Tennessee’s defense has been so consistent all season

“I mean, I think the key is just they get it. They play hard. They bought into the culture. We talk about being tough and playing for each other and playing with great respect for the game. So I just think we got a good group, but I felt that since I’ve been here. A lot of these guys are the same guys that we’ve had for four years at this point with a couple new faces. But we got good kids. Good kids who want to be coached, who want to be great. We’re just excited because they understand, it’s a one game season every single rep. So I’m proud of the guys, and I just love the way they work and their attention to detail.”