KNOXVILLE — Butch Jones threw out all stops in trying to generate excitement for the showdown versus SEC East rival and seventh-ranked Georgia.

Checker Neyland, smokey grey uniforms, having Peyton Manning honored for his College Football Hall-of-Fame induction at halftime were all thought to detract any attention that many were still focused on following a last-second loss at Florida and a four-point win against UMass in the past two weeks.

But it was not enough. Not even close.

Tennessee was shut out at home for the first time since 1994. The Vols had no identity on offense and it did not help that Quinten Dormady struggled again, finishing 5-for-16, 64 yards and two interceptions in a 41-0 loss to Georgia.

Georgia struggled early to get going on offense. That kept Tennessee in the game. But the Vols could not capitalize.

The Vols’ first five offensive snaps resulted in an interception, a false start, a play of no gain, an incomplete pass, a pass to John Kelly for 6 yards and a punt.

From there, the offense sputtered to 45 first-quarter yards and only 13 through the air.

Georgia took control with two touchdowns in the second quarter. The Dawgs’ 24-0 halftime lead seemed insurmountable. But as bad as the Vols looked, the plan didn’t change.

Jones stuck with Dormady. And the offense stayed stuck in neutral.

Jones repeatedly talked about splitting snaps, but Saturday brought more of the same. Last week, Jones said he turned to Jarrett Guarantano with 2:46 remaining in the third quarter up 17-13 “looking for a spark” against UMass.

“We were looking for some energy,” he said. “We had way too many negative yardage football plays, way too many third and long situations, and when you have that, you’re not going to move the ball effectively.”

All of those parameters of negative yardage, too many missed third down situations and a lack of energy makes one wonder why he didn’t turn to Guarantano in the first half Saturday against Tennessee.

What changed in his thinking from last week to this week? A spark was needed.

Instead, Jones fanned the flames on his hot seat.

Jones waited and waited to turn to Guarantano, waiting until 1:04 remaining in the third quarter down 31-0.

Gary Danielson, calling the game on CBS, essentially said the Vols have seen enough of Dormady to know it’s time to turn to Guarantano.

Danielson noted that Guarantano hasn’t done anything to necessarily win the job, but sometimes you just have to give it to the younger quarterback to find out what he can do.

Jones’ handling of the quarterback position has not made a lot of sense since discussing using both at SEC Media Days.

Yet the fifth-year head coach has hesitated in turning to Guarantano.

It would make sense if Jones did not feel that Guarantano was ready, but he has continued to say that he has earned the right to play.

After the rare, embarrassing home shutout to Georgia, the off week will come at a good time for Team 121 to figure out the direction of not only the quarterback battle and offense, but the team as well.