Few could have predicted the outcome of Saturday night’s game from Neyland Stadium as Jeremy Pruitt’s team horribly failed its first SEC test by an astounding 47-21 margin against Florida. Losing big in conference play is something Volunteer fans have been familiar with in recent seasons but that’s always been against elite teams — something Dan Mullen’s first Gator team is far from at this point of his Gainesville tenure.

Following the game, Pruitt and his coaching staff are left searching for answers as reality may have set in regarding the state of the roster they have inherited. There are few, if any, legitimate playmakers on the roster and the team appear incapable of blocking even average defensive fronts. Add in a heaping of turnovers and Tennessee won’t be beating any opponent this season.

Thru the first few games of the season, the Vols managed to play clean football — with no turnovers and few penalties — but those days are long gone. During Pruitt’s Sunday morning coaches show program, the Tennessee coach didn’t suggest things would be changing anytime soon based on what he’s seen thus far.

Here are the highlights from his Sunday show:

on his first SEC game:

“We wanted to raise the level of our play, and we did that, to some degree. But when you turn the ball over and don’t get turnovers it’s hard to see the production or the positive things that actually happened.”

on attempting to overcome a 14-0 deficit: 

“Well, we have to take care of the ball offensively and we have to find a way to keep them out of the end zone on defense, hold them to a field goal. I think later in the game, our defense created a turnover on their end of the field and we only got three points out of it. You have to be able to score touchdowns when you get down there and you have to hold them to field goals on defense.”

on the first failed onside kick attempt: 

“Well, we got a guy that’s supposed to hit the guy for Florida, instead, he’s sitting there watching him catch it.”

the most common phrase uttered by Pruitt during the show: 

“Seven-man protection, they still get a hit on the quarterback…”

on the number of turnovers for Tennessee in the game (six total): 

“After three games, we had the least amount of turnovers (in the SEC), now I think we have the most.”

One final note on the show, starting quarterback Jarrett Guarantano left the game due to injury and did not return. Pruitt reiterated on the show what he said during his post-game comments Saturday night:  Guarantano “is fine” after leaving the Florida game after suffering an injury.

Tennessee is scheduled to travel to No. 2 Georgia next weekend.