Looking at the Tennessee defense going into the 2008 season garners only one question: Can they stop the run?

If so, Tennessee's defense could be lights out. A strong ability to shut down the run and one of the most talented defensive backfields in the nation would make the Vols one of the best defensive teams in the country.

However, if they can't stop the run, the Volunteers could be in for a long season as Southeastern Conference opponents expose their weakness.

Defensive Line

The Tennessee defensive line has been stretched thin due to Chase Nelson going down in fall camp with a knee injury. The Vols will need multiple guys to step up and stay healthy as they hope to contain the run.

While the Vols have experience across the board, they have very little depth. Returning starters Robert Ayers, Demonte' Bolden and Dan Williams will need to stay healthy and provide leadership for the likes of Wes Brown, Ben Martin and Walter Fisher, as they should acquire vital playing time.

If the defensive line can remain healthy they can be productive, as they proved last year shutting down the powerful rushing attacks of Georgia and Arkansas. Failure to stop the run, though, will make road trips to Georgia and Auburn almost impossible to win.

Linebackers

The Volunteer linebackers have the exact opposite problems that their defensive linemen face: so much depth, so little experience.

The departure of Jerod Mayo and Ryan Karl leaves Rico McCoy as the only extensively experienced linebacker to lead what looks to be a talented group.

McCoy hopes to become yet another star in a long line of Tennessee greats to play linebacker. The likes of Al Wilson, Kevin Simon and Mayo leave big shoes to fill for those in the second line of defense. McCoy says he is up to the challenge.

"I wouldn't say I'm up there with those guys, but I do feel like to have a great team you need to have great leadership from your linebackers," McCoy said. "I think that's a burden that I'm going to have to bear. You know, not really a burden, but it's a job and I have to takeover."

Either Adam Meyers-White or Nevin McKenzie should start at strongside backer while Ellix Wilson will fill the void left by Mayo in the middle.

Defensive Backs

Leading the Tennessee defense will undoubtedly be the defensive backfield. The return of Demetrice Morley, a Parade All-American in 2006, to play alongside sophomore Eric Berry, the reigning SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year, should make Tennessee's defensive backfield one of the best in the country.

The pairing of Morley and Berry on the field has been the story off the offseason, but Morley says their friendship off the field has made football fun again.

"We do everything together," Morley said. "Play videogames, go out and eat sushi together, so its just fun to be around a guy like that. He makes everything fun. He makes practice fun. I don't know about the game yet, but I know that's gonna be fun."

DeAngelo Willingham has drawn praise from head coach Phillip Fulmer as the most improved player from the 2007 campaign and could step up to be Tennessee's shutdown corner in 2008. Dennis Rogan has also earned playing time in the fall scrimmages and looks to be the leading contender to start at cornerback opposite of Willingham to open the season against UCLA.

The Volunteer defensive backs should shut down opponents pass attacks with consistent coverage and big play potential, but their ability to aid the front-seven in stopping the run will be the key to the Vols chances in 2008.

*Tennessee Journalist editors elected this article as "Story of the Week" for Sept. 4, 2008.