In 2016, Tennessee football was at least fun to watch. This year seems to be a flop. Can the UT Volunteers make the changes needed to save its 2017 season?
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Tennessee football fans are starting to get fed up with lethargic play-calling. Compared to other teams in the SEC, the Vols look boring and pretty one-dimensional. It’s unexciting football.
When you watch teams like Alabama or Georgia, anyone who understands football can see that they are on a completely different playing field. They outshine most teams in the SEC (even the nation).
It came to a clear head for the Georgia Bulldogs last week when they defeated Tennessee football 41-0 on the road at Neyland Stadium. You’ve heard it over and over: it was the worst home loss for the Vols since 1905.
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Yet, for some reason, Butch Jones keeps receiving the benefit of the doubt. Every game, week in and week out, becomes his “make or break”. Look, I get it. Georgia is a monster this year. However, Tennessee has talent all over the field, certainly enough to have a Top 25 team.
The Vols weren’t even competitive, squandering only 142 yards in a full hour of play against the Bulldogs. Their biggest play of the game (a pass over the middle to John Kelly) resulted in a fumble. Trevor Daniel punted into the defensive line. And, who can forget the infamous “butt fumble“?
You know who the Vols were competitive with? The UMass Minutemen, an (at the time) 0-4 (now 0-6) team they only beat by 4 points.
My question is, why was that not the “break” game? I understand the Florida loss being one to shrug off. While the Hail Mary was bad, at least they were competitive. To be honest, neither team played well but the Vols were showing signs of life and passion.
It would only be a short week before they looked even more lackluster and dull. Still, the same headlines are up everywhere, “Butch should be coaching for his job this week.”
There’s a lot of football left this season.
The future of the 2017 Tennessee football season looks dark. The fact that Butch Jones has made an agency switch tells me he has no plans to stay at UT after the conclusion of the season. Will he make it that far, though?
Ideally and statistically, the Vols could save the season. Should they only lose to Alabama but sweep the rest of season, perhaps they find themselves back in the Top 25. However, if the Vols take an L against South Carolina at home and then Bama on the road, I can’t imagine Butch Jones remains head coach the rest of the season.
That would make Tennessee football 0-4 in SEC play. Of course, I understand when some fans say Jones has been treated unfairly. However, this is not one of those times. It’s his fifth year. The Vols’ prime year (2016) to go to Atlanta for a title was halted with losses to South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
It also goes without saying the amount of infighting and disconnect between these players is most definitely playing a part in the unsuccessful execution. Shy Tuttle has been rumored to have fought, now freshman Trey Smith is getting stitches after a dispute with Darrell Taylor?
Butch Jones needs to go before other coaches look at this job in infamy. No one is going to want to coach a team that doesn’t have a passion to work together. If you’re a Vols fan, this season is painful.
Next: 5 people who should NOT replace Butch Jones
One year you’re at national relevance. The very next year, you’re right back to a laughing stock. Unless something changes (and fast), AD John Currie is going to have no choice but to make some calls.