Vols looking to break Tide's run defense

If Tennessee puts the load on its running game, the Vols will be defying the odds. Alabama’s defense has been an immovable force.
The Tide hasn’t allowed a touchdown the past two games against South Carolina and Ole Miss. And the statistics say rushing yardage comes tough against the Crimson Tide.
Through its past 21 games, Alabama has held 18 opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing.
Attention Montario Hardesty, no running back has had a 100-yard day against the Tide since BenJarvus Green-Ellis of Ole Miss, only Oct. 13, 2007, a span of 26 games.
Alabama is allowing only 63.3 yards rushing per game in 2009, or 32 fewer than Florida, the next-best rush defense in the SEC.
UT coach Lane Kiffin is fully aware of the dilemma the Vols face. Kiffin points to 354-pound nose tackle Terrence Cody in the middle of Alabama’s 3-4 defensive front.
The 3-4, in fact, is one reason opponents have trouble cracking the century mark on the ground, Kiffin said. Most defenses operate out of a four-man front with three linebackers.
“It’s completely different than other people you play,’’ Kiffin said. “It’s going to be a big challenge.
“It’s always been hard for people to transfer that in one week of practice. It’s like playing the option (for a defense), because it’s so different by the techniques that you have to change what you do.’’