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Tennessee football: Five concerning signs from Jeremy Pruitt’s second year with Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 12: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 12: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

4. Some luck required for strong finish

It’s fair to say Tennessee football was unlucky in a lot of games this year. The first two, most notably their loss to the BYU Cougars, was blatantly clear. At the same time, however, there is no denying that they had some luck to win a few games down the stretch of the season, and we have to point those out as well if we’re going to be honest.

The most notable game that involved luck was what they did against the Indiana Hoosiers. They needed an onside kick and a missed field goal and extra point by Indiana to hold on for a one-point win. Oh, and they needed a couple of late sacks near midfield. If those things don’t happen, they lose the Gator Bowl and walk away with a 7-6 record, which looks significantly worse than 8-5.

Beyond that game, though, the Vols also had a bit of luck against the Kentucky Wildcats. Kentucky also missed an extra point, which is why they had to go for the win on the goal-line down 17-13 late. If UT doesn’t block that extra point, they easily could have lost. Now, the Missouri Tigers did not involve luck. That was a legitimate comeback in which the Vols got a close win.

Every other win was by at least two scores as well. However, this team still could have easily been 6-7, and again, that looks a heck of a lot worse than 8-5. If we reverse all lucky plays this year, it’s likely the Vols finish 7-6. But it slightly tilted toward them this year, and it made things for Pruitt look significantly better, as that one win made all the difference in the program’s momentum.

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