Fans, media react after latest SEC schedule changes leave Tennessee without a game on Saturday
The COVID-19 pandemic has yet again caused a reshuffling to the SEC schedule, this time with positive coronavirus tests and contact tracing meaning that Arkansas’ game against Missouri is postponed. Instead, Mizzou’s originally scheduled game against Vanderbilt from Oct. 17 will be made up on Saturday in Columbia, meaning, in turn, the Commodores’ game against Tennessee will obviously be rescheduled.
At the end of the day, the spiraling Volunteers—losers of 5 straight games by double digits for the first time in program history—are left without a game altogether. And the news of the most recent schedule changes in the SEC were met with plenty of reaction on Twitter, from fans and media alike:
We are bending over backward (and screwing Tennessee) so we can accommodate Vanderbilt and Mizzou. Of all teams. Vanderbilt and Mizzou. https://t.co/ApoDO2QHrh
— Austin Burlage (@Power_T_Tape) November 23, 2020
Seems odd to me that the SEC would prioritize Missouri vs. Vanderbilt over Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt.
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) November 23, 2020
Playing winless Vandy was probably the closest thing to a guaranteed win the #Vols could have left on their schedule.
But then again, a loss to Vanderbilt is incredibly embarrassing and have you seen this team play the last month or so?
Torn. pic.twitter.com/D59hpjPBJc
— Daren Stoltzfus (@DarenStoltzfus) November 23, 2020
Recap of today's news on UT Athletics games this week:
*UT Basketball's 1st two games cancelled (covid incl. R. Barnes)
*Lady Vols had season opening opponent opt-out of season
*Tennessee/Vanderbilt Sat football game ppd
Insane. At least everyone was already in great spirits. https://t.co/R2sk5BmixZ
— Vince Ferrara (@VinceSports) November 23, 2020
Just your standard, garden-variety day on the Tennessee beat.
You think weirdness is your ally. But you were merely adopted by the weirdness. We were born in it, molded by it.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) November 23, 2020
Tennessee canceled to avoid losing to Vanderbilt. Sad.
— NCISfanatic21 (@NCISfanatic_21) November 23, 2020
Can’t lose to Vanderbilt if you don’t play Vanderbilt!
— Swagger of Tennessee (@SwaggerofUT) November 23, 2020
Knoxville media personality Eric Cain had a clever tweet in response to BYU’s “any team, any time, any place” proclamation just days after the Cougars reportedly declined to play Washington after the Huskies’ annual Apple Cap rivalry game was canceled:
Hey #Vols pic.twitter.com/eFmD3IXHsF
— Eric Cain (@_Cainer) November 23, 2020
In the end, it’s just another odd week in the SEC.
Whatever
G won’t throw any pick 6’s this Saturday! Big plus!
So which team backed out causing this mess? Is ARKY now without a game Saturday as well?
Never mind. I actually read the opening paragraph…
I’m ok with this
Look at the bright side UT fans, you get an extra week to prep to lose by 4tds to UF.
I typically can’t stand your fanbases snarky remarks on here, but you’re correct. It may be worse provided the the time off just gives the coaches more time to think of another way to not prepare for their opponent. I see more blown coverages on defense and more pick 6’s on offense. So 4 TD’s is very possible.
While I agree your coaching staff leaves much to be desired the time off might be a good thing for your team. I doubt you can beat FL. They have too much firepower but if Tenn goes out there and plays their “A” game all healed up, they could make FL work for it. While I’m a Gator/SEC fan (yes I cheer for every SEC team GA included during Bowl Season) I don’t want to roll a dispirited Tenn team. I want Tenn’s best game. It brings back old memories of some pretty fantastic days when Tenn, FL and GA were always in the SEC East mix. Tenn shouldn’t be down this long.
Would it have been if Kiffin hadn’t screwed UT over?
Do you have something else to do besides rag on poor Tennessee fans?
If not, it is a nice day out. Go take a hike. Someday, you’ll know how it feels. Not today, but someday.
Pruitt will say that JG is had a good couple of weeks and start him. Absolutely no doubts. It’s never ending. I like the guy when he’s played well but it’s few and far between. No one is worried about JG throwing the ball
Man, if it was the other way around and UT had won 13 of the last 14 it would be you guys making the snarky remarks lol. Plus my wife is a Vol, so its a lot of fun for me rubbing that in lol.
Son, you spend WAY too much time on this site spewing absolute nonsense. Your handle says it all.
My wife is a double major grad from UT and I from UGA. I would never “rub that in” to my wife regarding W & L to opposing school. Get a clue, a life and go love your wife instead of making fun of her. BTW, get a degree from UF first, it’s not hard, before beating your orange and blue chest.
Your hand is not a college graduate….
An expected response from a sour UGA fan… Worry about your own love life “son”, mine is just fine.
To Gatordon’t: I don’t think they get the Other Guys reference. I think it’s a riot.
^
Take a hike.
Pruitt’s job is safe for another 2weeks or so. Can’t lose to a team you dont play well on second thought Pruitt probably could find a way.
This sucks ass !!
I’ve been jacked up for day’s about wanting to watch Vandy beat the Vols Saturday.
UT IS IRRELEVANT!! THEY SHOULD CANCEL THE REST OF THEIR SEASON. FIRE FAT PHIL AND HIS MONGOLOID COACH PICK FROM RURAL AND UNEDUCATED ALABAMA. HARRISON BAILEY IS RUMORED TO BE TRANSFERRING TO FLORIDA.
Uh oh…I believe Negan’s got a new avatar…all those upper case letters spewing forth.
When will the UT-Vandy game be played? 9 AM on the morning of the SEC Championship game? There’s nothing more irrelevant than two irrelevant teams playing a conference game on the day of the championship. The SEC made this decision with eyes wide open. This is like the ugly, nerdy guy cast as an ugly, nerdy guy in a movie. That guy has to know he’s an ugly, nerdy guy. UT knows they are irrelevant to SEC football. I blame the coach.
I am like UK fan this year, more upset about Hoops start. Football team likely to get frog-stomped twice before Vandy. Just doesn’t matter.
Be happy Vol fans…No play=no lose. Vandy’s “D” might have snagged 3 pick-sixes on their way to their only 2020 victory.
You can take a hike also.
So let me get this right, we’re postponing Tennessee-Vanderbilt so that Vandy can get on a bus to go to Missouri and play. Because THAT game is more important.
Why does this sound like a Tyler Baron flop?
I think what they are trying to accomplish is to make up the Vanderbilt/Missouri game now and have a “bubble” situation later with the teams in closer proximity. Vandy and UT are close as well as Missouri and Arkansas. As COVID rates increase, Vandy and Missouri may be harder to make up then than having teams closer to one another play.
This honestly is crappy from the SEC. It makes so much sense to let UT and Vandy play each other due to proximity and less moving parts. Mizzou is not relevant enough for this make up game to be needed. I’m also kinda sad for the Vols because this was a needed win that wouldn’t prove anything but maybe the only morale boost they were gonna get before Florida delivers a home embarrassment to them.