Harrison Bailey, Florida's sluggish start draw plenty of attention from fans and media in first half
Tennessee QB Harrison Bailey got the start on Saturday against Florida and gave the Vols something they hadn’t had in a while on offense: a spark.
The fan base loved it, especially when he led the Vols to a 7-3 lead. But it also caused some fans and media to note that coach Jeremy Pruitt waited too long to put Bailey in a game for significant meaningful minutes instead of incumbent starter Jarrett Guarantano.
For a game that was nearly a three-touchdown spread in Vegas betting lines, the first half proved to be more entertaining than many figured.
Tennessee sacked Florida QB Kyle Trask twice, and the Gators also missed a field goal attempt. Another nine-play drive ended with a punt.
For Tennessee, the Vols showed some fight after they’ve had 18 players miss practice the past 2 weeks with COVID issues, not to mention their record is 2-5.
Here’s a collection of the first-half reaction on social media:
All-American ➡️ All-American
Former All-Americans Harrison Bailey (2020) and Eric Gray (2019) connect for 6️⃣#GoVols 🍊 #AllAmericanBowl 🇺🇸
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) December 5, 2020
I did not expect Jeremy Pruitt to be ballsier than Dan Mullen today.
— G. Allan Taylor (@GAllanTaylor) December 5, 2020
Yeah all this is showing is that Pruitt committed coaching malpractice for not playing Harrison Bailey sooner
— Caitlin (@caitnoelleault) December 5, 2020
Harrison Bailey’s drive shows the value and development by Chris Weinke and why he’s essential to keep around
— Jimmy Pruitt’s Burner (@UTCoach_JPruitt) December 5, 2020
According to tweeter #vols QB #HarrisonBailey is looking good….@CoachJPruitt didn’t play him sooner bc Coordinator Cornbread is a defensive coordinator and doesn’t give 1 iota bout the offense. @phillipfulmer should fire @CoachJPruitt today! Go #vols and #FireCornbread
— Craig (@RockyTopSkiBum) December 5, 2020
Florida has had a couple of opportunities to really crank up the pressure on Tennessee. So far the Gators have let Vols off the hook a few times today.
— Seth Varnadore (@SethVarnadore) December 5, 2020
this florida & tennessee game way more entertaining than i thought it would be
— code Q ❄️ (@_pick6ixx) December 5, 2020
Florida looks unfocused, now they miss a Field Goal, Tennessee isn’t this good BUT it is a #SEC Rivalry game. Gators better wake up if they want to make sure the #CFB Playoff committee doesnt hold it against them #Gators #Vols #CollegeFootball
— Josh Hennig (@JoshHennig) December 5, 2020
Best case scenario for Tennessee right there… But even if Florida Had scored 6 on that drive I still like the call from Pruitt.. you’ve lost 5 in a row, it’s your rival, leave it all on that damn field.
— Bandit Benjamin. (@TheBanditUGA) December 5, 2020
Bro not Florida STRUGGLING against Tennessee. Love to see it🤟🏾
— jordan ✌🏾 (@Earth_Jordan) December 5, 2020
Tennessee really needs a TD drive here. Ain’t going to keep this Florida offense quite all game.
A TD drive here and people will start to believe…….
— Mike (@MikeL_LWOS) December 5, 2020
Either Delance didn’t know the snap count or he’s the worst offensive tackle in the history of football. pic.twitter.com/3Af3pal81q
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) December 5, 2020
At the very least, it’s good to see #Vols haven’t packed it in.
They’ve had 18 players missing practice the past two weeks with COVID issues. They’re 2-5. But they’re still playing hard. That’s something.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) December 5, 2020
