Alabama football and the Tennessee Volunteers will meet for the 100th time this Saturday. Will Butch Jones survive?
ICYMI: 10 Reasons Vols Hatred Runs Deep
The Tennessee Volunteers are gasping for air. The program is slowly drowning in SEC losses and inexcusable coaching decisions. A monstrous Alabama football team is next on their schedule, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
The Volunteers are currently 3-3 on the season, with all three losses coming from SEC opponents. The Florida Gators, the Georgia Bulldogs, and the South Carolina Gamecocks outscored Tennessee by a total of 82 points. The Volunteers haven’t scored a touchdown in ten consecutive quarters. A trip to Tuscaloosa is just rubbing salt in an opened wound.
The Alabama Crimson Tide continues to roll through their schedule. They are currently 7-0 on the season, and 4-0 against the SEC. The Crimson Tide has scored an astonishing 299 points on their opponents.
Tennessee’s season started to crumble down after they were delivered a taste of their own medicine. The Florida Gators were preparing for overtime, when quarterback Feleipe Franks, made a connection to a fellow Gator in the end-zone. This play resulted in a last-second, Hail Mary win over the Volunteers.
Since then, indefensible coaching decisions and outrageous play-making has caused Tennessee to fall short in major games. Volunteer fans have taken to social media to express themselves regarding the current state of their football program:
Hey @John_Currie time for you to get some leadership reps & fire this loser @UTCoachJones. We don't even have a life championship anymore.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 14, 2017
Yeah, things are looking rough on Rocky Top.
Are Vol fans hoping for a blowout?
Butch Jones has a 14-21 record against the SEC, and it looks to only get worse. The Third Saturday in October is always a competitive game, no matter the current circumstances of either team, and Coach Saban has discussed that with the media:
"“I think these guys do a really good job. They’re really good coaches. They could be 5-1 if it wasn’t for two last plays of the game. So, you know, I think sometimes the media, fans, everybody gets a little bit overzealous in terms of the criticism. Sometimes that can be a negative.”"
We all understand where Coach Saban is coming from, but can one really sugar-coat these Vols? Jones’ time at Tennessee is slowly coming to an end, and the Crimson Tide could very well be the nail that seals the coffin.
Many Tennessee fans are hoping for a historical shutout from the Crimson Tide. It has became apparent that the Volunteers are so desperate to get rid of Jones that they would even take a record-breaking loss.
Butch, from all of the SEC, we will miss you.
Next: Weekly Tide Player to Watch
Who is this weeks player to watch? Check out the weekly examination of which Alabama football player could have an impressive game. Will this player be a key participant in a Crimson Tide victory over the Volunteers?