Believe it or not, things can get worse on Rocky Top. According to Jesse Simonton of Volquest, starting quarterback Quinten Dormady is “contemplating” his future with the program.

Just when things looked to be heading in the right direction, too, as Butch Jones stated Monday that the team was coming off one of the best bye weeks of his five-year tenure. No word yet on how this decision will affect Dormady’s accumulation of leadership reps he gained over the previous three seasons in Knoxville.

With Dormady reevaluating things, redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano will receive the first start of his college career Saturday at home against South Carolina. Even if Dormady does leave the team, Guarantano appeared poised to start the game vs. the Gamecocks anyway this week.

After backing up Joshua Dobbs the last two seasons, Dormady had started all five games for Tennessee this season. During that time, the junior threw for 925 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. He currently leads the SEC in individual turnovers.

The highlight of his career, and Tennessee’s 2017 campaign thus far, was the comeback he engineered against Georgia Tech in the opener. Down 14 in the fourth quarter to the Yellow Jackets, the Volunteer offense scored two touchdowns and looked unstoppable in overtime. The Vols won the game in double overtime.

Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time a player has quit on Butch Jones and Tennessee midseason, as starting running back Jalen Hurd famously did the same thing last season following a tough 24-21 loss at South Carolina.

Something about South Carolina week must bring out the quit in Tennessee.