The record will show that Tennessee’s fate was sealed against Florida Saturday when Aaron Medley’s 55-yard, last-ditch field-goal attempt sailed just wide right.
In reality, the Volunteers lost the game long before that, with poor game management, poor clock management and poor defense.
Put it together, and Florida 28, Tennessee 27 shows that Butch Jones and the Vols simply aren’t ready to compete as serious SEC contenders yet.
One year after what looked like a breakthrough 7-6 campaign and the program’s first bowl bid since 2010, which the Vols accomplished with a young, talented roster, Tennessee was expected to compete for an SEC East title.