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Tennessee football: Vols fans didn’t give their all in Saturday’s spring game

By Garrett Sanders

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee football fans had the opportunity to show the world they meant business in the Volunteers’ Orange and White game Saturday. But they didn’t do it.

Related Story: Top 5 performers from Vols 2018 spring game

Jeremy Pruitt made a controversial statement about Tennessee football fans on Saturday after the spring game. He implied he was not pleased with the number of fans in attendance during the scrimmage, noting that they were like his football team: those there were fired up, some couldn’t make it for legitimate reasons, and then there were inexcusable no-shows.

One thing is sure with Pruitt: If he’s not happy, he will let you know. Vol Nation may have mixed emotions with his comments. Some will appreciate his honesty while others will think that it was too harsh. Personally, I don’t blame Pruitt at all. He should feel that way.

Don’t get me wrong, the official number of 65,000+ fans showing up for a Spring game is encouraging to see. All for Tennessee site expert Billy Williford noted that Pruitt should be happy with the attendance overall considering the circumstances. But the matter of the fact is it wasn’t good enough. And that number clearly appeared to be inflated.

Over time, new head football coaches to big brand-named schools have drawn up a lot of hype and anticipation for their first season with their new team.

The Alabama Crimson Tide had over 90,000 at their spring game in 2007, Nick Saban’s first year. That was the start of it.

Then came Kirby Smart’s first year with the Georgia Bulldogs in 2016. They broke Alabama’s SEC record for spring game attendance with 93,000 fans at Sanford Stadium. And then, just this year, first-year head coach Scott Frost of the Nebraska Cornhuskers had 86,000+ fans show up at Memorial Stadium for his first spring game.

With all of the hype and excitement surrounding Knoxville, you would surely think that Jeremy Pruitt could draw the same impact of attention from Tennessee football fans to come to their spring game for their new head football coach. Alabama, Georgia, & Nebraska fans brought it to the table for their head football coaches in their first year, so why couldn’t Tennessee?

Yes, I understand the Vols went 4-8 last year and that it was the worst season in program history. However, going back to Alabama, Georgia, & Nebraska, they all had down years the previous year as well. And yet their fans showed up.

There is no excuse that Jeremy Pruitt did not have close to full attendance at Neyland Stadium Saturday. The weather was perfect, there was anticipation buzzing around Knoxville, and it was the start of a new era.

Next: 10 players the Vols could use back for 2018

Jeremy Pruitt is going to build something great for Tennessee football, and while it may take some time, Saturday was the perfect opportunity for Tennessee fans to show the world of college football they meant serious business. Unfortunately, they didn’t do it.

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