Today On Rocky Top: Butch Jones On A Roll & More

Oct 5, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones leads his team on the field before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs before the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

From SB Nation

"When Tennessee hired Butch Jones to take over their football program this year, it’s hard to imagine they knew the kind of recruiting success he would immediately bring in.The Volunteers’ 2013 class already has 28 members and has added four new players just this month. Four-star wide receiver Lavon Pearson, four-star defensive end Dewayne Hendrix, four-star defensive end Derek Barnett and four-star offensive tackle Dontavius Blair all committed to the program in October.Tennessee’s class currently ranks second in the nation, which places them, unsurprisingly, at second in the SEC (behind Alabama)."

From ISportsWeb

"On Saturday afternoon the Tennessee Volunteers suffered their fourth loss of the season, and third straight road loss of the season.The Vols have endured what most may consider the toughest schedule in the nation to this point, and still have four games that are by no means gimmicks remaining.Out of the current BCS rankings Tennessee has played three of the top 14 teams, including the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country, Alabama and Oregon. The Vols also faced Georgia and Florida who, at the time of each respective matchup, were ranked No. 6 and No. 19. They have since suffered impacting injuries, which could be mainly contributed to Tennessee, and fallen out of the top 25 as a whole."

From Bleacher Report

"Tennessee’s football team was never going to compete for an SEC East title this year. Butch Jones’ first season as head coach was all about taking steps to rebuild a once-proud program.So far, the Vols sit at 4-4, a game better than most prognosticators expected they’d be at this point, thanks to Jones’ signature win over South Carolina.They’ve beaten Austin Peay, Western Kentucky and South Alabama, as expected.They’ve been blown out on the road against No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Oregon, as expected.Like always, UT lost to Florida. But they also upset the Gamecocks to tilt the trajectory of the program."

From TN Spots Radio

"Wanna go bowling? Of course.That’s long been the goal of Tennessee’s football program. It was somewhat kept behind closed doors early in the season. Recently, head coach Butch Jones and players began to openly discuss how important a .500 season and a bowl trip would be to UT’s program.It would be unfair to call UT’s season a failure if the Vols don’t go bowling. There would still be a signature victory over a ranked team: South Carolina.Yet if UT doesn’t make a bowl game, questions will arise in recruiting. Moreover, UT’s players might have to rebuild their already rebuilt confidence. How many overhauls can a group of psyches take? Fans would certainly be disappointed with a football season that ended too soon."