Pruitt's record as coach....

[Rickyvol77]

Took over a 4-8 team (the worst record in UT's modern history) in his first year EVER as a HC

2018:
Best Wins:
1. @ Auburn (8-5) - W 30-24
2. Kentucky (10-3) - W 24-7
3. Charlotte (5-7) - W 14-3
4. UTEP (1-11) - W 24-0
5. ETSU (FCS) - W 59-3

Worst Losses:
1. @ Vanderbilt (6-7) - L 13-38
2. Mizzou (8-5) - L 17-50
3. *WVU (8-4) - L 14-40
4. Florida (10-3) - L 21-47
5. Georgia (11-3) - L 12-38
6. Alabama (14-1) - L 21-58
7. @ South Carolina (7-6) - L 24-27

2019:
Best Wins:
1. @ Kentucky (8-5) - W 17-13
2. *Indiana (8-5) - W 23-22
3. @ Mizzou (6-6) - W 24-20
4. Mississippi St (6-7) - W 20-10
5. South Carolina (4-8) - W 41-21
6. UAB (9-5) - W 30-7
7. Vanderbilt (3-9) - W 28-10
8. Chattanooga (FCS) - W 45-0

Worst Losses:
1. Georgia State (7-6) - L 30-38
2. BYU (7-6) - L 26-29
3. @ Florida (11-2) - L 3-34
4. Georgia (12-2) - L 14-43
5. @ Alabama (11-2) - L 13-35

2020:
Best Wins:
1. Mizzou (1-2) - W 35-12
2. @ South Carolina (1-2) - W 31-27

Worst Losses:
1. @ Georgia (3-0) - L 21-44

This isn't a defense or a criticism of Pruitt, but I think marked improvement each season is important. I see four games (highlighted in purple) that you could argue we should've won and didn't, and two of those were literally due to one broken play.

Pruitt had never been a HC before and I believe is still learning on the job a little, however, anyone who has been a fan of this program for 30-40 years or more can see the difference in the attitude and recruiting and play of this team vs. the 2017 team for sure.

Yes he still is behind Fla, UGA, and Bama but these teams are 77-14 during the past three seasons as well, so let's wait and see what he does the rest of the year before we ignorantly cry about it. A 7-3 season or better would be great, 6-4 would be expected, 5-5 or less would be disappointing IMO

 

[Cartervol]

BYU and Georgia St were bad losses. Unless Pruitt takes a few more of those type losses he's safe for probably at least another two years. His clock is about to start though. He has a roster that he should be able to least compete with the big boys now, except probably one position..

 

[McDad]

BYU and Georgia St were bad losses. Unless Pruitt takes a few more of those type losses he's safe for probably at least another two years. His clock is about to start though. He has a roster that he should be able to least compete with the big boys now, except probably one position..

Agreed.
The improvement is apparent for any objective person to see. This year is most certainly a better start than last year. The team looks prepared to play each game which is something I couldn't say the previous two seasons. We are competing hard but we still have a few key pieces to sort out to put together a complete team.
Even some of our fan expectation is an indicator things are trending in the right direction. We were mostly optimistic about our chances against GA if we caught a lucky break or two. Some were even confident we could win without an assist from luck. These expectations are not something we've seen around here since Kiffin...or maybe even Butch in Dobbs' senior year. We were a double digit dog for a UGA home game...but we had hope in a victory. And, we were on track for a half. I haven't seen that in a long time.

 

[rjd970]

BYU and Georgia St were bad losses. Unless Pruitt takes a few more of those type losses he's safe for probably at least another two years. His clock is about to start though. He has a roster that he should be able to least compete with the big boys now, except probably one position..

Disagree. Our roster isn't comparable, on paper at least, to Bama or GA. We have to change something in recruiting to win more of those battles. GA and Bama are feasting on the same 4 and 5-stars we are going after.

Our blowout losses to UF are inexcusable IMO. The roster differences there aren't near as great.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Sorry, year three, you don’t give up 44 points to ANYONE. Pathetic. This excuse is no longer acceptable. Losing maybe, but not getting manhandled like we did. Talk about change in culture all you want, but giving up 40+ to GA in subsequent game is NOT TN football.
This was a loss by heart and passion. Period. And that is all on the Head Coach. Same problem as we had with Dooley and Jones. We have better athletes but they are still getting whipped and giving up.

 

[Cartervol]

Disagree. Our roster isn't comparable, on paper at least, to Bama or GA. We have to change something in recruiting to win more of those battles. GA and Bama are feasting on the same 4 and 5-stars we are going after.

Our blowout losses to UF are inexcusable IMO. The roster differences there aren't near as great.

So you're saying the roster difference is so great we should expect to get blown out by these teams? We have some depth along the Oline and a Dline that has played above its expectations so far. We don't defend the middle of the field and our QB is a headcase, but i don't see a huge difference here. We shouldn't be getting clowned stomped at this point. We're a undisciplined team that can't get lined up half the time, Oline false started a million times last week. 84 yards in penalties. You clean that up and limit the turnovers and we're in that game til the end. The roster excuse is just that, a excuse.

 

[McDad]

Disagree. Our roster isn't comparable, on paper at least, to Bama or GA. We have to change something in recruiting to win more of those battles. GA and Bama are feasting on the same 4 and 5-stars we are going after.

Our blowout losses to UF are inexcusable IMO. The roster differences there aren't near as great.

I am as big a cynic in our chances against UF as anybody. I don't believe in curses but our history against UF makes me tempted to consult a Shaman for a talisman or something.
...I think we have a great shot against UF this season. At home. At end of season. If UF loses to UGA and drops another, they will have nothing to play for. We are playing for redemption and a show of return to power. UF offense is very good. Their defense has issues. I expect a game plan of running the ball, controlling the clock, keeping their potent offense off the field as much as possible. For the first time in a long time, our strengths play into their weakness.

 

[Rickyvol77]

Sorry, year three, you don’t give up 44 points to ANYONE. Pathetic. This excuse is no longer acceptable. Losing maybe, but not getting manhandled like we did. Talk about change in culture all you want, but giving up 40+ to GA in subsequent game is NOT TN football.
This was a loss by heart and passion. Period. And that is all on the Head Coach. Same problem as we had with Dooley and Jones. We have better athletes but they are still getting whipped and giving up.

Sort of like Bama did last year in giving up 44 points to Clemson?

 

[OrangeTsar]

Sort of like Bama did last year in giving up 44 points to Clemson?

Touché
but 40+ on Bama is a shocker. 40+ on Tennessee is now NORMAL

 

[Rickyvol77]

So you're saying the roster difference is so great we should expect to get blown out by these teams? We have some depth along the Oline and a Dline that has played above it's expectations so far. We don't defend the middle of the field and our QB is a headcase, but i don't see a huge difference here. We shouldn't be getting clowned stomped at this point. We're a undisciplined team that can't get lined up half the time, Oline false started a million times last week. 84 yards in penalties. You clean that up and limit the turnovers and we're in that game til the end. The roster excuse is just that, a excuse.

There is a difference in saying, Pruitt is making some progress and UT is getting better but yes we still have issues we need to work on VS. Pruitt is in over his head and is terrible and should be fired...

Most rational people can see that we are getting somewhat closer to a top 10-15 type team, but we still have some issues to fix.

 

[Rickyvol77]

Touché
but 40+ on Bama is a shocker. 40+ on Tennessee is now NORMAL

Is it BETTER or WORSE than the years leading up to Pruitt?

and I have seen multiple teams run 30-40 points on Saban, and he is in year what 13??

 

[McDad]

Sorry, year three, you don’t give up 44 points to ANYONE. Pathetic. This excuse is no longer acceptable. Losing maybe, but not getting manhandled like we did. Talk about change in culture all you want, but giving up 40+ to GA in subsequent game is NOT TN football.
This was a loss by heart and passion. Period. And that is all on the Head Coach. Same problem as we had with Dooley and Jones. We have better athletes but they are still getting whipped and giving up.

You're very vocal about the negatives you see right now. And that's your privilege as a fan. Claiming our players gave up is a myopic perspective at best.
How much gas do you have in the tank after running 10 miles? There is only so much a person can physically give. Had our offense been able to move the ball (and not have turnovers which contributed to the point differential) our defense could have rested a bit and stayed competitive.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Better or worse? Does it matter? 0 and 7 against your biggest rivals and 33 straight losses to top 10 teams. Yeah I guess we are “marginally better”. What exactly has that put in our now dusty trophy cases?
Get er done Coach!

 

[McDad]

So you're saying the roster difference is so great we should expect to get blown out by these teams? We have some depth along the Oline and a Dline that has played above it's expectations so far. We don't defend the middle of the field and our QB is a headcase, but i don't see a huge difference here. We shouldn't be getting clowned stomped at this point. We're a undisciplined team that can't get lined up half the time, Oline false started a million times last week. 84 yards in penalties. You clean that up and limit the turnovers and we're in that game til the end. The roster excuse is just that, a excuse.

both you and rjd have valid points. and neither of your points negate the other. The issues both of you point out are working in tandem to create the challenges we witness on the field.

 

[Rickyvol77]

You're very vocal about the negatives you see right now. And that's your privilege as a fan. Claiming our players gave up is a myopic perspective at best.
How much gas do you have in the tank after running 10 miles? There is only so much a person can physically give. Had our offense been able to move the ball (and not have turnovers which contributed to the point differential) our defense could have rested a bit and stayed competitive.

I agree with you, there was no "giving up" by the players, the defense especially was out of gas after playing lights out back to back to back all during the first 2.5 quarters

 

[berryvol]

Anyone remotely suggesting Pruitt should be anywhere near the hot seat now or in the near future over what happened Saturday is delusional. Full stop.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Pruitt needs some signature wins if he wants to be able to recruit at a high level & keep the fanbase happy. The blowout losses are the worst.

 

[SaintLouisVol]

...How much gas do you have in the tank after running 10 miles? There is only so much a person can physically give. Had our offense been able to move the ball (and not have turnovers which contributed to the point differential) our defense could have rested a bit and stayed competitive.

I agree. Georgia's TOP was over 36 minutes. The defense played remarkably well in that context.

 

[McDad]

Better or worse? Does it matter? 0 and 7 against your biggest rivals and 33 straight losses to top 10 teams. Yeah I guess we are “marginally better”. What exactly has that put in our now dusty trophy cases?
Get er done Coach!

Patience is very hard for us. We have been down for so long. And at a time when our rivals are enjoying unprecedented success. Unfortunately our clock has started over with each coaching change.

But you're right. Big time sports is the epitome of "what have you done for me lately" employment.

 

[Rickyvol77]

Better or worse? Does it matter? 0 and 7 against your biggest rivals and 33 straight losses to top 10 teams. Yeah I guess we are “marginally better”. What exactly has that put in our now dusty trophy cases?
Get er done Coach!

Pruitt is responsible for 7 losses to top 10 teams, and in each game he was double digit underdogs due to the team he has.

I don't know what Butch/Dooley's failures against the top 10 have to do with it.

And we DO have more rivals than just those three (although those are the three biggest ones for the kids in the crowd), and we are 4-1 vs them under Pruitt.

As for our trophy cases, let's see how the rest of the season plays out, I only know that Pruitt has had a better record every year he has been here, and that Tennessee has improved as a team every year he has been here

 

[rjd970]

So you're saying the roster difference is so great we should expect to get blown out by these teams?

Yes. Soembody posted it on here before and I can't find it now. But looking at the sheer numbers of 4 and 5-stars that have been amassed at GA and Bama is astounding when compared to our roster...and comparing it against just upperclassman right now is downright depressing. From a sheer, raw, blue blood talent perspective, we aren't close.

We have some depth along the Oline and a Dline that has played above it's expectations so far.

I just don't see it. Saturday was strength against strength and our OL didn't even come close. Our OL is beating who they should and getting run out of the stadium against who they shouldn't. Again, we weren't even close on the OL on Saturday. How much is coaching and how much is talent is up for debate, but at some point the players need to be held accountable too.

I was pleasantly surprised by DL play until they got gassed.

We don't defend the middle of the field and our QB is a headcase, but i don't see a huge difference here. We shouldn't be getting clowned stomped at this point. We're a undisciplined team that can't get lined up half the time, Oline false started a million times last week. 84 yards in penalties. You clean that up and limit the turnovers and we're in that game til the end. The roster excuse is just that, a excuse.

I don't disagree with a lot of this, scheming and lining up I fully agree is a coaching issue. I also don't understand the loyalty to JG.

But the coaches aren't false starting out there. Mays, Smith, and Morris getting smoked on the edges isn't a coaching issue. Outside of the OL, which absolutely got it's *** kicked, UGA had the talent advantage or it was a push at every other position.

 

[i2amavol]

Sorry, year three, you don’t give up 44 points to ANYONE. Pathetic. This excuse is no longer acceptable. Losing maybe, but not getting manhandled like we did. Talk about change in culture all you want, but giving up 40+ to GA in subsequent game is NOT TN football.
This was a loss by heart and passion. Period. And that is all on the Head Coach. Same problem as we had with Dooley and Jones. We have better athletes but they are still getting whipped and giving up.

I hate to say it, but I think UGA is very likely to be the last team standing at the end of the year. They have recruited as well as or better than anyone. The only teams that are close are Bama and Clemson. We are at least close in talent to all the other teams, but we still have a big step in order to get on their level.

Could we have competed better in the second half? Sure, but a lot of good teams are giving up a lot of points this year. So, I don't think we should be throwing in the towel just yet. There is a lot of football yet to be played.

 

[McDad]

Pruitt needs some signature wins if he wants to be able to recruit at a high level & keep the fanbase happy. The blowout losses are the worst.

What is a signature win in your book; a big win over one of the big 3? A squeaker over a better team? How do you define it?

 

[OrangeTsar]

Patience is very hard for us. We have been down for so long. And at a time when our rivals are enjoying unprecedented success. Unfortunately our clock has started over with each coaching change.

But you're right. Big time sports is the epitome of "what have you done for me lately" employment.

I was actually ok until I saw what Ole Miss gave Bama after our game Saturday. Why are we always “a couple of classes away” but teams with even weaker rosters keep giving the big boys all they can handle. Heck, South Carolina can beat Georgia on a given Saturday. Shouldn’t we occasionally be able to pull off an upset like that? “Any given Saturday” hasn’t happened in VolnLand for a long long time.
Honest question. When do the excuses no longer hold water?

 

[OrangeTsar]

What is a signature win in your book; a big win over one of the big 3? A squeaker over a better team? How do you define it?

Let’s start with a win over a top 10 team. That would be a nice salve