If the SEC were a stock market, the smart money would be investing in defense.

SEC defenses are tougher to run against in 2006. They're stingier against the pass, too.

And they're giving up fewer points.

That's what all the numbers say.

Except at Tennessee. The Vols are bucking a trend.

A year ago, UT's defense prevented a wholesale collapse. The bottom line ended up 5-6, but Tennessee's defense ranked No. 7 nationally in total defense, allowing only 298 yards a game. It ranked No. 2 against the run, yielding a grudging 82 yards a game.

This fall, the Vols (7-2, 3-2 SEC) don't rank No. 7 in the country in total defense. They're No. 7 in the SEC.

They don't rank No. 2 in the country against the run. Try No. 62.

A measure of retreat was predictable. The Vols lost all three starting linebackers and three of the four starters up front. Coordinator John Chavis said from the opening day of spring practice his unit was "green as a gourd.''

Nine games in, they're less green.

"I thought we'd be a little better,'' Chavis said this week.

"We're not dog-awful, but we're not what we used to be. I think that's a fact. Anybody can see that.''

At the moment, Tennessee's defense hovers between the proverbial frying pan and the proverbial fire.

Last Saturday they gave up a season-high 478 yards to a loaded LSU offense. No telling how high that number would have climbed if not for four turnovers.

Looking ahead, Arkansas is a running juggernaut that could make for another long night.

The Razorbacks are rushing for 238 yards per game. Talk about bucking a trend.

SEC defenses are allowing 125 yards a game rushing, down from 149 two years ago and the lowest average since 1999.

Overall, SEC defenses are allowing 310 yards a game, the fewest since the divisional split in 1992. And they're giving up only 18.5 points, also the fewest in the divisional era.

Maybe the explanation is as simple as the new clock rule that has reduced the number of plays offenses run per game.

"That may be it partially,'' UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said, "but I just think the defenses in the Southeastern Conference continue to be more and more talented.

"I look at them in amazement sometimes. ... If you watch football on Sunday, you'll watch the same guys. ''

You can certainly watch plenty of Chavis' former guys on Sunday.

There are 15 of them on NFL rosters, eight of whom are defensive linemen.

Which brings up another issue: talent. While the Vols are paying for inexperience up front this year they're also paying for some recruiting shortcomings.

Head coach Phillip Fulmer wondered aloud if JaMarcus Russell would have been able to drive LSU down the field for a game-winning touchdown if he had a Leonard Little, Shaun Ellis or John Henderson chasing him.

"We've had all kinds of mismatches with our defensive front (in the past),'' Fulmer said, "We're not there right now.

"We're addressing that in recruiting.''

There's always the what-if game.

What if tackle Tony McDaniel didn't leave early for the NFL? What if tackle Justin Harrell didn't suffer a season-ending injury? What if Turk McBride could have stayed at end?

What if won't tackle any Razorbacks. The only thing that counts is what is.

Chavis doesn't back down from his spring stance that the linebackers are plenty talented. A secondary that would have been better with Inky Johnson is still capable without him.

The big question mark is up front. McBride, a senior who moved to tackle after Harrell's injury, is the only lineman playing at an NFL-caliber level.

"It's more difficult to play up there because of how physical it is,'' Chavis said. "We've got some kids coming on.

"The jury's still out.''

Until it comes in, the Vols aren't dog-awful. But they're not what they used to be.