SEC football: Way-too-early 2020 East predictions

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Head Coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators raises the Orange Bowl Trophy after winning the Capital One Orange Bowl against the Virginia Cavaliers at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Head Coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators raises the Orange Bowl Trophy after winning the Capital One Orange Bowl against the Virginia Cavaliers at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
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KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 30: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers puts on his helmet as he walks onto the field during the fourth quarter of the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 30: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers puts on his helmet as he walks onto the field during the fourth quarter of the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)

Jeremy Pruitt and Tennessee football have been on a rollercoaster full of emotions. The beginning of 2019 was an absolute nightmare after losing to Georgia State and BYU at home. The Vols eventually picked themselves up from their bootstraps and concluded the inconsistencies with a bowl appearance.

Yes, I will acknowledge that the final six games were significantly less challenging than the first half of their games which included the death row lineup of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. But you really can’t ignore the improvements.

Guarantano will be returning for his senior year despite an up and down 2019 campaign. But if Tennessee wants to show an upwards trend, they must rely on improved decision-making from the veteran quarterback.

Projection: 8-4, (5-3 SEC)