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Tennessee football ends year with more uncertainty than ever; Five questions

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Will the Vols play in a bowl game?

This is an embarrassing question to ask. Tennessee football went 3-7 on the year and has no business going to a bowl game. However, this is another question that arises due to the NCAA COVID rule changes for this year specifically.

The institution eliminated the bowl eligibility requirements in October, meaning lots of big-name schools who are a major draw could get undeserved invites now. Obviously, UT is such a big-name school, and with 32 bowl games, including the New Year’s Six games, there are 64 teams who could be going bowling this year.

Given the fact that only three teams ended up following through with canceling their seasons, there are a lot more teams competing for those spots than initially expected. But waiving those eligibility requirements certainly puts UT in play.

More importantly, though, if the Vols do receive an invitation, will they embarrass themselves and accept it? Jeremy Pruitt said at the beginning of the month that UT would accept one if invited, but that would be the most pathetic look ever. Sure, the extra practices would help. Reminding people that he was 3-7, though, would hurt severely. Rocky Top should accept nothing.

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