Is Jeremy Pruitt just another Butch Jones 2.0?

SEC football: Second-year Butch Jones.

Butch Jones showed some improvements in his second season, both in the win column and on-field product. Not only did the second-year coach tack on 2 more wins from the year before, but he also helped Tennessee secure a bowl appearance.

It was the first time that the Volunteers had reached a bowl game since the 2010 season under Dooley.

But the misleading 4-1 finish to the season was masked by wins over less-than-stellar teams like (7-6) South Carolina, (5-7) Kentucky, (3-9) Vanderbilt and (7-6) Iowa.

Sure, they looked good in the win column, but the Tennessee fanbase had been fooled by mediocre victories at the end of the season- we’ll continue to see this as a reoccurring theme.

Nonetheless, you have to recognize an accomplishment when you see one.

And the Taxslayer Bowl certainly meant a lot to Tennessee.

SEC football: Second-year Jeremy Pruitt.

Much like Jones, Pruitt also found a bit of success in his second season, despite kicking off 2019 with a loss to Georgia State.

The Vols’ managed to come away with three more wins than the year before and ended the season with a comeback bowl victory against the Indiana Hoosiers.

But this is where things get interesting.

Just like Jones, Pruitt also managed to finish the season strong- taking advantage of wounded teams dealing with everything from coaching hot seats to injuries.

Tennessee fans should know better than anyone, not to assume success. As of right now, it seems that there are plenty of Volunteer fans who still ride on the 6-game streak from last year.

This is dangerous territory. I have major suspicions in regards to actual improvement from the 6-game streak.

Here’s a few concise explanations as to why I believe the streak is far overvalued in the minds of most Volunteer fans.

South Carolina: 4-8 (3-5 SEC)-  Gamecocks were undergoing serious coaching problems after finishing the season with their second-worst record since 2000.

UAB: 9-5 (6-3 CUSA)- Cupcake

Kentucky: 8-5 (3-5 SEC)- The Wildcats were forced to utilize a receiver at the quarterback position- only threw 7 passes thanks to the injuries of Terry Wilson, Sawyer Smith and Walker Wood.

Missouri: 6-6 (3-5 SEC)- The Tigers ultimately fired head coach Barry Odom a week after the 24-20 loss.

Vanderbilt: 3-9 (1-7 SEC)- Commodores were/are undergoing serious coaching issues that will bleed into the 2020 season.

Indiana: 8-5 (5-4)- Pruitt pulled off an unlikely comeback victory in the final quarter of the game against the mediocre Big Ten school.

Arguably, it seems that Pruitt’s best win came at home after taking advantage of a quarterbackless Kentucky squad. Final score? 17-13.

Now, it’s great that the Vols won these games- but is it really enough to believe that the Volunteers are headed in the right direction? 2020 should prove to be a good indication.

COMPARISON

Year Two Record- Pruitt: 8-5 (5-3 SEC) | Jones: 7-6 (3-5 SEC)

Top 25 Opponents- Pruitt: 3  | Jones: 5

Recruiting Ranking- Pruitt: 13th | Jones: 7th

Bowl Game- Pruitt: Taxslayer Bowl | Jones: Taxslayer Bowl