5-5 would be a step back, plan and simple.
We won 62.5% of our SEC games a year ago, dropping to 50% would be a step in the wrong direction in a season where we returned a large number of starters; including the quarterback and offensive line.
It is incomprehensible that our offense is worse than it was last year, despite more speed at WR and returning starters at every other position. It is unsatisfactory that our 5-star freshman QB isn't ready to play, regardless of COVID-19. And it's unreasonable that neither he nor Brian Maurer are being groomed to make Tennessee competitive. The best case scenario with JG would've been to go 7-3, which isn't good enough to win a championship, then the following year we'd be breaking in a new QB and likely take a step back... stalling recruiting momentum, then replacing our OL, star LB, CBs, RB, and other key players in year 5. Breaking in a new QB while the nucleus of our team is young would've made much more sense. Pruitt's decision to "play whoever gives us the best chance to win" will lead to mediocrity at best, IMO.
But how are we going to get to 5-5? What's the path? We'd have to take 2 of 3 from Arkansas, A&M, and Auburn. Given how we've looked the past 10 quarters... being outscored 109-24 (109-24!!!!).... we're more than likely watching a 3-7 team, maybe 4-6 if we pull an upset.