How Tennessee's aggressive defense is carrying the load as the offense finds its way

Tennessee 's defense is loaded with enforcers this season , forming a unit that has been one of the best in college football.

Tim Banks' initial plan after finishing an all-conference career at Central Michigan was to get into law enforcement.

The Vols ' defense has allowed no more than 19 points in any of its six games.

Tennessee faces its toughest challenge of the season Saturday with No. 7 Alabama ( 5-1 ) coming to town.

Vols will be short-handed the rest of the way with linebacker Keenan Pili's season-ending knee injury.

Arion Carter is tied for the team lead with 4.5 tackles for loss.

Banks says his defense has been as studious in watching tape and preparing as it has been aggressive on the field.

Banks is in the final year of his contract at Tennessee , which is rare for a coordinator at the power conference level.

Banks ranks seventh in the SEC ( $1.5 million annually ) among the highest paid defensive coordinators.

He was involved in the Middle Tennessee State head-coaching search last year before withdrawing his name.