Tennessee’s defense has often been its weakness in Josh Heupel’s four seasons as head coach. But that’s been far from the case this season.
There was reason to think that Tennessee’s defense would be improved this season but few expected the Vols to boast not only one of the best defenses in the SEC but the entire country.
However, EA College Football 25 does not see it that way. After rating Tennessee’s defense as an 80 to start the year, the video game decreased Tennessee’s defense ranking to a 78 in its midseason update. It’s a pretty egregious ranking change and Tennessee defensive lineman Bryson Eason expressed his displeasure with it on his Instagram story Thursday.
“78 defense is f***ing crazy,” Eason wrote.
More From RTI: Tennessee Football Second Bye Week Rooting Guide
Through seven games this season, Tennessee’s defense ranks second nationally in yards allowed per play, second nationally in rush defense, fourth nationally in yards allowed and fourth nationally in scoring defense. Tennessee undoubtedly has one of the best defenses in the country but EA College Football somehow doesn’t see it that way.
Ironically, the video game has Tennessee’s struggling offense with an 89 ranking, a six-plus bump from the preseason, despite a disappointing first half of SEC play and three straight scoreless first halves. One thing that the video game did get right was bumping up Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson five overall points to a 93 overall.
Tennessee’s defense will look to keep proving the naysayers wrong when they return to the field against Kentucky following this weekend’s open date.
