SEC Football: Takeaways for Each Team from Week 9

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Oct 29, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones argues a call against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee 21-South Carolina 24

Before the season started, I made a claim. I said the Volunteers would win the SEC East, but wouldn’t finish in the top 3 in the SEC West. While Alabama and Texas A&M proved half my point, the Volunteers are making me look silly. While I don’t feel I overrated Tennessee (I said their CFP Playoff dreams were a joke), I did think too little of the SEC East.

I formally apologize SEC East.

Tennessee, though, owes their fan base an apology. This was supposed to be the culmination year for Butch Jones. This is a senior-driven team, and it will be interesting to watch if Jones can put it all together the rest of the way out. If he can’t, prospects aren’t particularly bright for next year.

Next: Mississippi State Bulldogs: Dak Prescott Deserves more Credit

Impact Moving Forward

-Butch Jones’ seat warming again

Butch Jones began to feel his seat get a little warm up getting drubbed by Alabama, but it mostly subsided. After losing to South Carolina, though, his seat will again begin to warm up. I have often compared Butch Jones to Hugh Freeze. Before this season, it was meant positively as both are great recruiters. With each failing to meet expectations this year, though, the comparison seems more accurate than ever.

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