5 dumbest coaching decisions in Tennessee football’s loss to Florida

2. Tennessee football calls three pass plays inside the 10 down by three in the fourth. 

Yes, this is part two for Tennessee football because the coaching decisions by the Vols were that dumb. Despite being down by 10 late, they had cut the lead to three points late. And then after an interception, they had gotten the ball inside the Florida 10-yard line with under two minute left.

Conventional wisdom on the part of the entire world when it comes to coaching tells you that you should try to at least run some clock here.

You’re going up against an elite Florida secondary, your quarterback has struggled, your running back has had a legendary night, and you only need a field goal! Why not try to run the ball? Add in the fact that Florida’s defense is clearly tired, and running the ball gives you your best chance to win the game.

It helps milk some clock and increases your chances of actually getting the ball in the end zone.

Apparently, Butch Jones doesn’t know that, and neither does Larry Scott. The Vols called three pass plays.

To be fair, John Kelly dropped a play on first down that would have been a touchdown. But then there was a fade pass that failed.

And after a false start, another pass play was unavailable. The three terrible coaching decisions forced the Vols to go for the field goal to tie the game.

That’s what kept them from playing prevent defense in the end, because they had to worry about the field goal. So this was dumb all the way around. And it still isn’t No. 1 for the dumbest coaching decision by the Vols.