2020 Tennessee Volunteers football team explained

Year:2020
Team:Tennessee Volunteers
Sport:football
Conference:Southeastern Conference
Division:Eastern Division
Short Conf:SEC
Record:0–7, 3 wins vacated
Conf Record:0–7
Conf Wins Vacated:3
Head Coach:Jeremy Pruitt
Hc Year:3rd
Off Coach:Jim Chaney
Oc Year:6th
Off Scheme:Pro-style
Def Coach:Derrick Ansley
Dc Year:2nd
Stadium:Neyland Stadium

The 2020 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Volunteers played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, and competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Volunteers were led by third-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt.

In a season initially questioned whether it would be played because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southeastern Conference ultimately decided to go through with the season, the Volunteers compiled a 3–7 record, all in conference games. While the team did not have a winning record, the NCAA had waived bowl eligibility requirement for the season,[1] and the Volunteers accepted a bid to the Liberty Bowl. However, the team had to withdraw on December 21 after several players and coaches, including Pruitt, tested positive for COVID-19.[2]

Pruitt was fired in January 2021 following an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations. He left Knoxville with a 16–19 overall record. However, in July 2023, all Tennessee wins for the 2019 and 2020 seasons were vacated due to the recruiting violations.[3] Thus, the 2020 Volunteers are credited with an official record of 0–7.

Preseason

SEC Media Days

In the preseason media poll, Tennessee was predicted to finish in third place in the East Division.[4]

Media poll (East Division)
1 Florida 624 (53)
2 Georgia 613 (43)
3 Tennessee 434
4 Kentucky 405
5 South Carolina 287
6 Missouri 224
7 Vanderbilt 101

Schedule

Tennessee had games scheduled against Charlotte, Furman, Oklahoma, and Troy, which were all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] [6] [7] [8]

The SEC postponed Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt to facilitate the rescheduling of the Vanderbilt-Missouri game. The shuffling allows for the opportunity for all 14 SEC teams to play 10 regular-season games.[9] [10]

Tennessee accepted an invitation to play in the Auto Zone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, TN held on December 31, 2020, but was forced to withdraw due to Coach Pruitt and several players testing positive for COVID-19.[11] [12]

Game summaries

At South Carolina

See also: 2020 South Carolina Gamecocks football team.

Missouri

See also: 2020 Missouri Tigers football team.

At #3 Georgia

See also: 2020 Georgia Bulldogs football team and Georgia–Tennessee football rivalry.

Kentucky

See also: 2020 Kentucky Wildcats football team and Kentucky–Tennessee football rivalry.

  1. 2 Alabama

See also: 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide football team and Third Saturday in October.

At Arkansas

See also: 2020 Arkansas Razorbacks football team.

At #23 Auburn

See also: 2020 Auburn Tigers football team and Auburn–Tennessee football rivalry.

  1. 6 Florida

See also: 2020 Florida Gators football team and Florida–Tennessee football rivalry.

At Vanderbilt

See also: 2020 Vanderbilt Commodores football team and Tennessee–Vanderbilt football rivalry.

Texas A&M

Players drafted into the NFL

See also: 2021 NFL draft.

3 77 WR Los Angeles Chargers
6 226 OG Kansas City Chiefs

Notes and References

  1. DI Council approves football bowl eligibility requirements waiver . NCAA.org . October 14, 2020 . October 22, 2020.
  2. Tennessee Football Pauses Team Activities, Completes 2020 Season . utsports.com . December 21, 2020 . December 21, 2020.
  3. News: These Tennessee football wins under Jeremy Pruitt have been vacated . Adam . Sparks . . July 15, 2023 . July 16, 2023.
  4. Web site: Preseason SEC media poll, All-SEC Team announced. September 23, 2020. SECSports.com. Southeastern Conference.
  5. Web site: Talty . John . SEC moves to conference-only 2020 schedule, pushes back start of season. AL.com. July 30, 2020 . July 30, 2020.
  6. Web site: Dellenger . Ross . Sources: SEC Adopts Conference-Only Schedule With Sept. 26 Start. Sports Illustrated. July 30, 2020.
  7. Web site: Dellenger . Ross. SEC's New Schedule: Winners, Losers and... Mizzou . si.com . August 18, 2020 . August 7, 2020.
  8. Web site: 2020 Tennessee Football Schedule . FBSchedules.com.
  9. Web site: Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt postponed; Commodores to play Missouri . .
  10. Web site: Tennessee Football Schedule, Tennessee Football Scoreboard and Results – SEC .
  11. Web site: Tennessee Volunteers out of Liberty Bowl due to COVID-19 issues. December 21, 2020.
  12. Web site: Tennessee Football Pauses Team Activities, Completes 2020 Season .