Tennessee football: Vols continue slide in SEC Power Rankings after Week 8
![Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs the ball during the Alabama and Tennessee football game at Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.Tennessee Vs Alabama Football 100315 Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs the ball during the Alabama and Tennessee football game at Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.Tennessee Vs Alabama Football 100315](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d4d4ce5f725474818c24eef4341fc1009f50e910ab00c02d75b6d8ecbab578fc.jpg)
839. . 2-3. Previous: . Volunteers . 11. team
Lost to Alabama Crimson Tide 48-17
Only four teams in the league are on three-game losing streaks right now, and Tennessee football is one of them. After a 2-0 start to prove they were back, Jeremy Pruitt’s team has collapsed, dating back to the second half of their game against the Georgia Bulldogs, when they had three turnovers to make a 21-17 lead into a 44-21 loss.
A 34-7 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats the next week was the truly embarrassing story, however, and it’s one that deserved every bit of scorn it got. UT had no business losing that game in a blowout, and quite honestly, the blowout loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide was irrelevant. Everybody saw that coming. That loss to Kentucky still has this team reeling, though.
If Jarrett Guarantano isn’t making critical mistakes, the Vols’ pass defense is getting torched. Very few units have proven themselves on a consistent basis for Rocky Top this year, and in Pruitt’s third year on the job, the program still doesn’t look like it’s made any strides to be able to compete with the top teams in the league.
With a bye week to get some things right, though, they may be able to turn things around. Although the Vanderbilt Commodores are the only likely win left on Tennessee football’s schedule, a Nov. 7 trip to the Arkansas Razorbacks could warrant some attention. The Texas A&M Aggies, Auburn Tigers and Florida Gators aren’t sure losses either. But this team is in trouble.