I know this has been rehashed on this forum multiple times but I still fail to realize where the recruiting success and overall program clout come from on UT.
The last time UT was relevant was 2007 when they were Co-Divisional Champs and lost to LSU. Since then they have remained a recruiting powerhouse and have relatively nothing to show from it. Especially when you compare them to the Cats.
Lets compare for the last 5 years just for posterity.
Recruiting: (Rivals Rankings) & Score
2016: Loss 36-29 (Away)
Tennessee 15th
Kentucky 28th
2017: Won 29-26 (Home)
Tennessee 15th
Kentucky: 26th
2018: Loss 24-7 (Away)
Tennessee 20th
Kentucky: 30th
2019: Loss 17-13 (Home)
Tennessee 13th
Kentucky: 30th
2020: Win 34-7 (Away)
Tennessee 8th
Kentucky: 21st
Average Class Ranking:
Tennessee: 14th
Kentucky: 27th
Bowls:
Tennessee:
Kentucky:
Records:
Tennessee:
2016: 9-4
2017: 4-8
2018: 5-7
2019: 8-5
2020: 3-7
Kentucky:
2016: 7-6
2017: 7-6
2018: 10-3
2019: 8-5
2020: 5-6
Frankly you could argue UT has been as disappointing as any team with the recruiting success they have enjoyed over the years. Fulmer has Co. have been gaslighting everyone for years. They have the clout from their 1998 National Championship but arguably haven't done much of anything since 2007. I fail to see what UT is selling to recruit as well as they are. The two schools who always come to mind for underwhelming performances are Tennessee and Texas and both schools are quick to make coaching changes.
Maybe this is my convoluted attempt to throw some shade at Tennessee, which I happily do....but maybe Tennessee is simply a middle of the pack SEC team with the clout of a top tier, national powerhouse. I tend to lean towards the former.
The last time UT was relevant was 2007 when they were Co-Divisional Champs and lost to LSU. Since then they have remained a recruiting powerhouse and have relatively nothing to show from it. Especially when you compare them to the Cats.
Lets compare for the last 5 years just for posterity.
Recruiting: (Rivals Rankings) & Score
2016: Loss 36-29 (Away)
Tennessee 15th
Kentucky 28th
2017: Won 29-26 (Home)
Tennessee 15th
Kentucky: 26th
2018: Loss 24-7 (Away)
Tennessee 20th
Kentucky: 30th
2019: Loss 17-13 (Home)
Tennessee 13th
Kentucky: 30th
2020: Win 34-7 (Away)
Tennessee 8th
Kentucky: 21st
Average Class Ranking:
Tennessee: 14th
Kentucky: 27th
Bowls:
Tennessee:
| 2016 | Butch Jones | Music City Bowl | Nebraska | W 38–24 |
| 2019 | Jeremy Pruitt | Gator Bowl | Indiana | W 23–22 |
Kentucky:
Records:
Tennessee:
2016: 9-4
2017: 4-8
2018: 5-7
2019: 8-5
2020: 3-7
Kentucky:
2016: 7-6
2017: 7-6
2018: 10-3
2019: 8-5
2020: 5-6
Frankly you could argue UT has been as disappointing as any team with the recruiting success they have enjoyed over the years. Fulmer has Co. have been gaslighting everyone for years. They have the clout from their 1998 National Championship but arguably haven't done much of anything since 2007. I fail to see what UT is selling to recruit as well as they are. The two schools who always come to mind for underwhelming performances are Tennessee and Texas and both schools are quick to make coaching changes.
Maybe this is my convoluted attempt to throw some shade at Tennessee, which I happily do....but maybe Tennessee is simply a middle of the pack SEC team with the clout of a top tier, national powerhouse. I tend to lean towards the former.
