Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks is all for his defensive line getting credit. He just wants to make sure all of the Vols get their just due.

“Our d-line has done a tremendous job,” Banks said during Tennessee’s media session on Tuesday. “All of the (publicity) they have probably gotten has been great, but when we talk about stopping the run, we talk about it as a collective group.”

Wait, it’s not just the defensive line? To no one’s surprise, Banks said that’s not the case. Do tell.

“It takes the corners doing their job, safeties doing their job,” said Banks, who coincidentally has coached defensive backs for most of his career. “Sometimes the front gets the credit, sometimes the backend. At the end of the day, that’s always been the focal point for us, to be able to stop the run. 

“It’s great the d-line is getting some of that (publicity). As a play caller, it makes it great, but again, everybody has to do their job for us to play the style that we want to play. Obviously, the d-line helps, they really do.”

Yes, that “d-line” probably helps a bit considering Tennessee seemingly has dozens of defensive linemen that can run into the game at any moment in time. Moreover, it’s pretty impossible to rank first in the nation in total defense, allowing just 176 yards per game, without an elite defensive line.

That defensive line, however, has gotten their just rewards from the national media after their dominating start. That start, however, makes the Vols’ secondary still a bit of a mystery. Tennessee’s defensive backs certainly look good, but that d-line that Banks didn’t like to talk too much about made things much easier on the Vols’ secondary since they don’t have to cover receivers nearly as long as they would have without them.

Has Banks been surprised by the secondary? Of course not.

“No, you know, like I told you guys, a lot of youth back there (and) inexperience, but I thought we had a talented group,” Banks said. “They’re right where we thought they would be or hoped they would be. They’re playing extremely consistent. They’re communicating at a high level. I think that’s what’s given us a chance to play as well as we’re playing.”

The Vols have a new sort of challenge this week when the No. 4 Vols travel to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas, which is led by quarterback Taylen Green. There are only six players in the SEC that have rushed for more yards than Green has this season and they all play running back, not quarterback. 

Green can break free even when the Vols have a sound defense in place at the snap. Or Green can pick up yardage via designed quarterback runs. However, it’s the escapability part that is most daunting.

“Everybody has to be disciplined when he starts to scramble,” Banks said. “He’s really made some plays down the field. He’s athletic enough to break contain and go for 80 (yards), but he’s also got a strong arm that he can throw it 80. 

“We have to be very disciplined, not just with the backend, but our front. Making sure that we’re containing him when we need to contain him, and linebackers need to be where they need to be. 

“It’ll really be a collective group for us to contain this kid. He’s really special in terms of running and throwing.”

If things go according to plan, Tennessee won’t just be tackling Green when he runs downfield. They’ll be tackling him behind the line of scrimmage. The Vols have posted 7.8 tackles for a loss per game, which ranks third in the SEC.

Banks said there has been no magic gameplan that has forced opponents to struggle just to get the ball to the line of scrimmage. In fact, the Vols have done one simple thing that has led to so many plays in the opposing backfield.

Effort.

“I think our kids play hard,” Banks said. “They really do. That’s one thing that we’ve always preached since we got here. We want to play hard. We need to play as hard as we possibly can and leave it out on the field. 

“When you play that hard, typically good things happen. Since day one, we’ve always tried to play on the other side of the line of scrimmage.”

That seems to be much easier with the Vols current crew of defensive linemen