Suppose you were asked to name the person most responsible for Tennessee’s success halfway through its 5-1 season following a 24-17 victory over Arkansas. Whom would you pick?
A popular choice would be running back DeSean Bishop, whose 59-yard, fourth-quarter run was decisive in the Vols’ comeback win Oct. 10 in Fayetteville.
The former walk-on has become an elite SEC running back who seemingly gets better with every carry. He has rushed for 647 yards on 107 carries and a 6.4-yard average while reviving memories of Dylan Sampson, who carried the Vols' offense in 2024.
As vital as Bishop has been to UT’s success, he wouldn’t be my pick. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles would be my choice as the person most responsible for Tennessee’s success so far.
Just check the stats. Then, compare them to 2025.
The most glaring difference is in pass defense. The Vols ranked 112th last season in passing yards allowed per game. Five games into this season, they entered the Arkansas game tied for 20th nationally in pass defense. Moreover, Knowles’ defense has held three SEC opponents to 51 points combined.
But stats don’t fully account for Knowles’ value in his first season with the Vols. The former Penn State coordinator brought more than experience to UT. He brought three transfers.
Much of Tennessee’s defensive success can be attributed to those transfers — tackle Xavier Gilliam, linebacker Amare Campbell and safety Dejuan Lane.
Campbell has 38 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks.
Gilliam has 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Lane has 23 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions for 73 return yards.
The three also have helped ease UT’s transition to Knowles’ system, and the defense will need to be at its best Oct. 17 against Alabama when that system gets its stiffest challenge.
A high-scoring Alabama offense is nothing new for the Vols. The Tide have won 17 of the past 19 games in the series. And they usually have won with offense.
Alabama has scored more than 50 points twice in that stretch and in the 40s seven times. Only four times did it score fewer than 34 points.
The Tide’s high-scoring recent history against Tennessee has included the best performances from some of their best players. Amari Cooper caught nine passes for 224 yards in 2014. Julio Jones caught 12 passes for 221 yards in 2010.
Quarterbacks also have been a huge factor in Alabama’s success. From 2009 through 2026, eight Alabama quarterbacks were taken in the NFL draft.
In 2007, John Parker Wilson completed 32-of-46 passes for 367 yards and three touchdowns. Five years later, AJ McCarron completed 17-of-22 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns. In 2020, Mac Jones was 25 of 31 for 387 yards.
But no Alabama quarterback inflicted as much damage as Bryce Young. In back-to-back seasons (2021-22), Young completed 66-of-95 passes for 826 yards against the Vols.
That troubling track record is worth mentioning as Keelon Russell prepares for his introduction to the rivalry.
In his first season as a starting college quarterback, Russell has completed 110-of-162 passes for 1,599 yards and 12 touchdowns. He already is being touted as Alabama’s “next great quarterback.”
Tide quarterbacks often have done a number on the Vols. But they haven’t done it against a Knowles defense.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Who's most responsible for Tennessee football success so far? | Adams
