Episode Details

ALERT: Auburn football is heading into a matchup with a Tennessee defense that might be much better than people expected coming into the 2026 season.

Jim Knowles has arrived in Knoxville and the early returns have been impressive. Tennessee already had talent on defense, but this unit is playing faster, creating pressure and giving quarterbacks completely different pictures before and after the snap.

That could present a serious challenge for Auburn.

Tennessee has generated pressure without needing one dominant pass rusher to carry the entire defense. Instead, the Volunteers have been able to attack by committee, moving linebackers around, changing looks and forcing offensive lines and quarterbacks to communicate correctly.

That makes Auburn’s preparation for Knoxville even more important.

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