Finding The Silver Lining In Tennessee's NCAA Ruling

The NCAA handed the Tennessee Volunteers various punishments, but the Vols dodged a major bullet in the form of postseason eligibility.

On Friday, the University of Tennessee football program got handed their violations for a laundry list of illegal recruiting activities done by former head coach Jeremy Pruitt. The list of punishments for the program includes an $8 million fine, the removal of 28 scholarships, a 6-year show-cause order for Pruitt, and being placed under probation for the next five years.

However, one thing did not occur that could have hindered progress made in the Heupel era: a postseason ban. The Volunteers received many things in the rulings, one of which was not a postseason ban. With the direction the football program is taking during the short stent of head coach Josh Heupel's career, a postseason ban would have been very detrimental to the progress in Knoxville. Last season showed just how much the football on Rocky Top has shifted. The team went 11-2 and was 6-2 in the SEC. They received their first-ever No. 1 ranking in the CFP era leading up to the Georgia game. They were in clear contention for a CFP berth until an upset defeat at the hands of the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia. 

Tennessee HC Josh Heupel celebrating the Orange Bowl victory with QBs Joe Milton III, Hendon Hooker on December 31, 2022

The Vols now look upon another season coming up in the fall where they can compete again for a spot in the CFP. Thus, they can have another shot at a national title. A postseason ban would affect not just chances at a national title for the foreseeable future. It would also keep Tennessee from playing in certain bowl games like the two that they have gotten to under coach Heupel in seasons one and two. This would have been a detriment to everything the Vols and coach Heupel have been working for. The NCAA's decision on the violations keeps football in Knoxville going in a steady, winning direction. 

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