KNOXVILLE – In the months since their 5-7 football season that was preceded by a 4-8 campaign, the Tennessee Volunteers spoke on numerous occasions about their work to turn the corner.
They enhanced the competition at numerous position groups on the team. Got bigger. Stronger.
It all was supposed to lead to the sort of turnaround season that would bring optimism to a once-proud program that entered the 2019 season two games under .500 this decade.
Saturday was supposed to be the sort of game that would drive home the point that the Vols are on the road to becoming the sort of team they were in the 1990s.
They may still get there, but they’re not off to the best start.