KNOXVILLE - During every week of his first season as Tennessee's defensive coordinator, it seems Bob Shoop has had to ready a replacement for an injured player.
This week is no different.
The physical toll last week's double-overtime loss at Texas A&M took on the Volunteers' already depleted defense and the abrupt dismissal of defensive tackle Danny O'Brien on Monday night added more to Shoop's to-do list heading into Saturday's Southeastern Conference showdown with top-ranked Alabama.
Unlike losing cornerback Cameron Sutton or linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Shoop can feel good about the interior of Tennessee's defensive line, where Shy Tuttle and Kahlil McKenzie will play more snaps alongside starter Kendal Vickers.
"I thought that was their best game," defensive line coach Steve Stripling said Wednesday. "I thought they actually started moving better. Maybe that came with a little more confidence and a little more reps on the field, but I really did, I thought for both of them it was their best game. Obviously this week they'll get called on, and they have to step up and be a big part of the defense."
Though Tennessee's defense could be even more shorthanded than in recent weeks, the Vols could get a boost by the return of middle linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. On Wednesday, Vols coach Butch Jones said the sophomore's playing status would be a game-time call Saturday. Kirkland missed the past four games after hurting his ankle against Virginia Tech.
However, linebacker Cortez McDowell may not play after he was taken to the locker room during the fourth quarter at Texas A&M and did not return, and there are health concerns in the secondary as well.
Elliott Berry finished the game for McDowell and would be in line to continue doing so against the Crimson Tide, though Jones and Shoop have hinted this week the Vols could play Kirkland and Colton Jumper - the former Baylor School standout who has played well while replacing Kirkland - together in certain situations.
"We're going to need (Berry) to take that experience and really expand upon that experience," Jones said. "These are the times in needs where your role players need to step up. And we feel very confident that they'll step up."
The trick for Shoop this season has been plugging in new players and molding his scheme to enhance the talents of those replacements while also trying to mask the deficiencies that kept them from starting in the first place.
"That's challenging at times," Shoop said. "You obviously tailor what you're doing to what your players are capable of executing. It's not what I can draw on the board. It's what we can do on the field. It is about matchups in the SEC. We played a very, very skilled offense last week and we're playing a very skilled offense again this week."
Alabama, ranked 24th nationally in total offense, should feel confident about facing a defense filled with second- and third-teamers and injury replacements. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, the former Tennessee head coach, has plenty of explosive playmakers and poised freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts at his disposal to use against the Vols' struggling secondary.
"He knows how to execute on the offensive side of the ball," Vols safety Todd Kelly Jr. said. "He tries to really scheme you up and match up man on man the guy they have trust in and match up a guy they really think they can execute and beat. He really does a great job of scheming. I don't really know him on a personal level. I just know he's a great coach."
As has been the case in every game this season, Tennessee will need an excellent performance from its defensive line.
Not only is Alabama second in the SEC behind Texas A&M in plays of 20-plus yards, but running backs Damien Harris and Joshua Jacobs combined to lose only 11 yards on 92 carries through six games running behind what Stripling called the most physical and complete offensive line Tennessee faces every season.
"Coach Shoop, one of his big philosophies is being disruptive up front, so obviously you'd love to do that and get them off track," he said. "They're a complete offense, so they're very sound up front in the offensive line, outstanding backs, got a quarterback that can run with the football as well as throw it and outstanding wideouts.
"You'd like to be disruptive. You'd also like to just be sound and keep them under control."
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.