Let's be honest, few people are giving Tennessee a chance in Saturday's game against Alabama.
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The Vols have been compared to a dumpster fire as of late while the Crimson Tide once again look like the best team in college football.
But that didn't prevent Nick Saban from attempting to make Saturday's matchup seem more competitive. Saban went out of his way to credit Tennessee and head coach Butch Jones during his weekly press conference on Monday.
"Butch Jones has done a nice job there," Saban said. "They could easily be 5-1, lost on the last play twice."
FanBuzz Take:
Really? Butch Jones has done a "nice job" this season? In what way? Mismanaging his quarterbacks and the game clock, refusing to put his quarterbacks under center, diverting from John Kelly in the red zone or using goofy catchphrases and excuses for the fifth consecutive year?
Jones has done the absolute opposite of a "nice job" this season. But I digress.
As a Tennessee fan and alum, I hate how much I respect him and his team, but I don't need to hear Saban go out of his way to falsely put the Vols over like he does for Appalachian State or Chattanooga.
I don't expect him to say "they stink," but at the same time, who are you kidding, my guy? Tennessee is the most poorly coached team in college football and Jones is deservedly on the hottest seat of any coach in the FBS.
I should be more offended that Saban subtly gave the Vols the "tuneup game" treatment, however, they deserve it based on how they've played all year. By Saban's logic of "they could be 5-1," they could also be 1-5 had they lost to Georgia Tech and winless UMass in close games.
I don't see how anyone can say "Butch Jones has done a nice job" with a straight face, even Saban who is a master at making awful teams seen like credible opponents before dominating them.
