Michael Wayne Bratton| 3 hours ago
If you missed the news out of Knoxville, Tennessee is making a move at quarterback.
Jarrett Guarantano will start the Georgia game on the bench as true freshman Brian Maurer will make his first start as a Volunteer Saturday night against the Bulldogs. The decision was made following Tennessee’s disappointing 1-3 start to the season, in which Guarantano has thrown seven touchdowns and four interceptions for the Vols.
During a Saturday morning appearance on SEC Network pregame show “SEC Nation,” Jeremy Pruitt explained the decision to go with Maurer to start the Georgia game. According to the Tennessee coach, Guarantano will also play in the game.
“Well, I want to start with Jarrett Guarantano . First of all, this guy is a guy that I believe in, ”Pruitt said during his appearance on the show. “He had a really good spring, fall camp – along with a lot of the players on our team. We’ve not executed exactly at the level that we want to be at. To me, I look at it kind of like a basketball shooter. You got a hot shooter that’s not making shots, you put him on the bench and let him be the sixth man. Jarrett Guarantano’s going to play today.
“But Brian Maurer is a guy that has worked hard. He’s a really good athlete, so we’re going to give him an opportunity to see what he does to start the game. ”
For many Tennessee fans, those comments are hard to wrap their heads around. How can Tennessee make the switch to Maurer but plan to play Guarantano, too? Has a “sixth-man” QB situation every worked out? Why is Pruitt using basketball analogies?
We have many questions but we won’t know the answers to any of them until we see Tennessee take the field Saturday night on ESPN.
Many Tennessee fans are apparently right there with us on this one:
Please help me to understand why Pruitt would say JG is going to play after naming Maurer the starter? Makes no sense at all
– Austin Jones (@ustinjones 423)October 5, 2019
Pruitt: We’re going to give him [Maurer] an opportunity to see what he does to start the game. “
I promise all of you, if Maurer plays less than two drives in this game I ‘m calling for Pruitt’s head. I don’t care if he throws two picks back to back.
– Tennessee Knope (@NotShoFunny)October 5, 2019
Pruitt said Maurer will get the start, but Guarantano will get some snaps tonight as well. Ride with Maurer no matter what hap This season is already a disaster and there’s no reason to add quarterback roulette to the mix.
– Jackson Bleachers ( @jacksonbleacher)October 5, 2019
Pruitt now playing musical QBs like he has been with the OLine all year. No wonder we are terrible. Never can build any kind of cohesion.
– It’s Maurer Time !!! (@GSix 1987)October 5, 2019
Would someone tell Pruitt this isn’t basketball
– Bill (@billpeek 89)October 5, 2019
Dear God
– Drew Cook (@ drew3cook)October 5, 2019
– Just_Pruitt 1998 @Just_Pruitt 1998)October 5, 2019
Well, y’all can catch me on the beach.
– Brad Shepard (@Brad_Shepard)October 5, 2019
This is what happens when you hire a guy who has no head coaching experience… 😑
So glad I no longer really care about this season …
– Mike Jehle (@THEKID_)October 5, 2019
– DRVawl (@DRVawl)October 5, 2019
– Mayes (@MayesCL)October 5, 2019
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Michael Wayne Bratton
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
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