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Mississippi State wide receiver Chad Bumphis (1) fights off an attempted tackle by Tennessee defensive back Justin Coleman after a short pass reception in their NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. Rogelio V. Solis, Associated Press
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Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley leaves the press box before their NCAA college football game against Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. No. 19 Mississippi State won 41-31. Dooley coached from the press box as he is reco Rogelio V. Solis, Associated Press
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Mississippi State quarterback Tyler Russell (17) following the blocking of running back LaDarius Perkins (27) in the second quarter of their NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. No. 19 Mississippi State won 41-31. Rogelio V. Solis, Associated Press
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University of Tennessee athletics director Dave Hart looks on from the sideline as the Volunteers play the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. The Tennessee Volunteers lost 41-31. Knoxville News Sentinel, Adam Brimer, Associated Press
By Associated Press

Identifying Tennessee's problem is simple: It's defense gives up too many points. Solving the problem has been more complicated.

The Volunteers have allowed 31.5 points per game, the highest average since the 1893 team gave up 42.7 in a six-game season. Tennessee's struggles this season continued Saturday with a 41-31 loss at No. 19 Mississippi State — which racked up 450 yards on offense.

Tennessee (3-3, 0-3 SEC) has given up 429.8 total yards per game. The Vols haven't given up that many yards per game since at least 1950, the earliest year for which the Tennessee media guide includes annual totals for yards allowed.

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Next up is No. 1 Alabama, which has scored at least 33 points in each of its first six games.

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