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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee heads into the season as the likely Southeastern Conference Eastern Division favorite thanks in part to a defense loaded with experience.Whether the Volunteers earn that first division title since 2007 depends on how much that defense has learned from last years experience.Tennessee went 9-4 last season, but led in each of its losses. In three of those defeats, Tennessee was in front by at least 13 points.Those blown leads prevented a good season from becoming great. No wonder finishing has been a point of emphasis throughout Tennessees offseason.I would say its kind of a little motivation because we know were right there, senior cornerback Cam Sutton said. Weve just got to get over the hump.Sutton, entering his fourth year as a starter, exemplifies the tested nature of Tennessees defense. The Vols return five of their top six tacklers from last season. The only defensive starters from last seasons Outback Bowl blowout of Northwestern who departed are tackle Owen Williams and safeties Brian Randolph and LaDarrell McNeil. The defenses most notable newcomer is coordinator Bob Shoop, who previously held the same positions at Vanderbilt and Penn State.Tennessees defense boasts so much experience that players occasionally help each other on the practice field or playing field by referring to situations they encountered together in games that may have taken place years before.It helps our communication a lot more, said senior linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who joins Sutton as one of four team captains. Sometimes it gets hard to describe things that happen, and we usually relate it to something weve seen in the past. Weve been on the same page for so long, it makes it that much easier.Reeves-Maybin doesnt mention numbers when discussing his goals for this defense because he wants to avoid placing a ceiling on this groups potential.I dont want to put any expectations or limitations on what we can do, said Reeves-Maybin, who will have earned his degree by the time he begins his senior season. I know we can be the best team in the country. I just want to be the best team in the country, the best defense in the country. I want us to have each others backs and play like I know we can play every week.That means delivering a knockout blow when it has an opponent on the ropes.Tennessee lost in overtime to Oklahoma last year after leading 17-0 in the first half and 17-3 with 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Vols led 27-14 with 5 minutes left in a 28-27 loss at Florida. They had an early 14-0 lead in a 24-20 setback to Arkansas, and allowed the winning touchdown with 2:24 left in a 19-14 road loss to eventual national champion Alabama.Sutton notes that the Vols didnt let those blown leads define their season; they ended the year on a six-game winning streak. They have the pieces in place to respond better in tight situations this fall.Derek Barnett is back at defensive end after getting 10 sacks each of the last two seasons. The linebacker corps features a rising star in Darrin Kirkland Jr., who won a starting spot and ranked fourth on the team in tackles as a true freshman last fall.But the success of this defense could ultimately rest on the leadership skills of Sutton and Reeves-Maybin, who have combined for 64 career starts. They lived through the pain of going 5-7 and getting left out of a bowl as freshmen. They passed up the opportunity to enter the NFL draft to take one last shot at an SEC championship.Now they want to prove this defense can finish off games against top-level competition while producing an ideal finish to their college careers.Adversity hit my class and the rest of the guys pretty early, Sutton said. Over the years, we were able to progress and get better. Finally to get what weve been working for since we got here... to finally finish it off, complete it and get it done, that would be something special.---AP college football site: http://collegefootball.ap.org Wholesale China Jerseys . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Cheap Football Jerseys . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. http://www.wholesalefootballjerseyschina.com/ . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. Authentic Football Jerseys . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Wholesale NBA Jerseys . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers.Has Arsenals FA Cup defeat to Watford ended their hopes of success this season? What can Arsene Wenger do to ease the pressure that hangs over him? Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith surveys the scene at the Emirates... With Leicester and north London rivals Tottenham leading the charge for the Premier League title, the forecast at the Emirates Stadium looks bleak in the wake of Sundays shock cup exit.Whats more, the north Londoners face a daunting trip to European champions Barcelona on Wednesday as they bid to overturn a two-goal first leg deficit in their last-16 Champions League tie. With Wenger facing the most intense level criticism during his 20-year tenure, and ahead of the Gunners trip to the Camp Nou, we caught up with Sky Sports pundit Smith for his assessment of the state of affairs at his former club...What can Arsenal realistically achieve this season?Defeat at home to Watford saw Arsenal taste defeat in the FA Cup for the first time since 2013, dashing their hopes of becoming the first team since the 1880s to win it three years on the spin. Few, if any, give them any chance of navigating their European tie with Barca, but what can they achieve this season? The Gunners have to overturn Barcelonas two-goal first leg lead on Wednesday SMITH SAYS: Arsenal can still win the league. The 11-point gap is big but there are still nine games to go. There are plenty of points to play for but they cannot afford to drop any more. Of course they can still win it, but I dont think they will. They have got to give it their best shot and certainly have to play better than they have been of late. My mind turns to the Manchester United performance and the Watford defeat where the level dropped, they were better against Spurs but youd expect them to be up for a north London derby. They have got to pick things up quickly.Would ending the season with a bang appease the fans if silverware isnt won?The large majority of football fans up and down the country havent got a problem with their club losing games, so long as the passion and will to win is there for all to see. Arsenals performance levels in recent weeks have dipped below the high standards they should be reaching. So could fans salvage some pride from a string of better performances? Arsene Wengers side have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions SMITH SAYS: It would be easier for Arsenal fans to take, thats for sure. But if Leicester and, God forbid, Spurs win it they would question Arsene Wenger who has been talking about the financial gap all these years - paying off the stadium, Man City and Chelsea having bigger budgets. So for one of the others to go and win it makes his argument redundant and it would be really damaging. There would be a big swell of fans calling for him to go. If there was no reaction from here on in it would be hard for Wenger to stay.Would blooding the next crop of Arsenal youngsters ease the pain?Its a line that has been fed to Arsenal fans for years.dddddddddddd The promise of an exciting new era of success being nurtured in the clubs revered youth teams, waiting to come to fruition. So could a group of young guns breaking into the first team atone for the Gunners disappointing campaign? Would more youngsters following the likes of Hector Bellerin bring some cheer to the Emirates? SMITH SAYS: No. Arsenal fans have seen good young kids for the last 15 years, they want them to be a proper team. They want to see that steel and craft, the harder side of the game, to see out their title challenge. It is not about kids coming through, as nice as that is, its about ending a 12-year drought for the title.How can Wenger ease the pressure currently hanging over him?Arsene Wenger has won three Premier League titles and six FA Cups during a revolutionary spell at Highbury and the Emirates. However, recent results have acted as fuel to those who argue his legacy is now being tarnished. Starting with Wednesday trip to Barcelona, can anything be done by the Frenchman? Alan Smith says Arsenal might need to replace manager Arsene Wenger if they do not win anything this season. SMITH SAYS: The only option Wenger has is to go as hard for the title as they possibly can and produce the best football. When they do produce their best football they are a match for most. When the draw was made, everyone expected Arsenal to go out of the Champions League so people cant get too carried away by being eliminated by Barcelona. The fans will be looking at what sort of attitude they show now, they want to see a committed performance at the Camp Nou and theyll certainly not want to witness an embarrassment. They have to be organised and disciplined and not go gung-ho, after all they could score late on to force extra-time - you never know! Its time for a mature performance. Also See: Slide weakens Wenger Mertesacker: Arsenal lack bite Beckham defends Wenger Arsenal stats ' ' '