The defense is playing far better than they did against Miami. Teams change - they aren’t static. Looks like Miami is a damn good team right now.I watched those games but those teams aren't really playing well right now...Auburn is breaking in a new coach and well Arkansas is a one player team pretty much...Miami torched thier defense by the way...Van Dyke threw for 374 yds abd 5 td's against them...Miami had 451 total yards against them...Not to mention A&M lost thier starting QB for the season.
Max Johnson has started almost 2 seasons as an SEC QB. He was the starter at LSU for 1.5 seasons - he has overall around 30 td’s and 6 int’s - so he’s not chopped liver. He’s a top half SEC QB. Combined with the skill players on offense and the way the defense is playing currently - and not being played at night (which I think would be to TN’s benefit) - they’ll be a tough out. They defend the run well, and that DL is playing as well as any DL in the SEC right now - plus, they are 2 deep in 4 and 5*’s.