Sunday, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl announced that it would be taking 3-7 Tennessee and West Virginia for its annual contest this year.
The Volunteers were torn to pieces on Twitter by both their own fans and fans of rival teams for accepting a bid at 3-7, but nonetheless, it won’t even end up mattering.
Just one day after accepting the bid, the Volunteers had to opt out of the game after contact tracing for COVID-19 within the program.
Athletic director Phil Fulmer just recently updated the status of head coach Jeremy Pruitt, though the Volunteers could be working behind the scenes on Pruitt’s future.
Now, it is possible the Army Black Knights will replace the Volunteers in the game against the Mountaineers.
Take a look at how Twitter reacted to the news:
Should have made this announcement before we purchased tickets and made reservations.
— 101VolFan (@101VolFan) December 21, 2020
@OneMansDrunk “covid”
— Ryne (@BallRyne) December 21, 2020
Give the bowl slot to 9-2 Army!
— John Troyer (@troyer_john) December 21, 2020
Looks like we "volunteered" out of the game for Army. What a great thing for us to do. Go Tennessee. Go America.
— Jason Gianaris (@ThePowerT) December 21, 2020
Just stay away from the basketball team please
— carsonVols55 (@cVols55) December 21, 2020
How about we fire Jeremy Pruitt to complete our 2020 season instead?
— Wear A Mask (@K_Authenreith) December 21, 2020
Well isnt this just a cherry on top of a shit shake
— Fast Nasty (@fastnasty) December 21, 2020
Please also postpone Fulmer and Pruitt's contracts permanently
— OG STL Titan (@OG_STL_Titan) December 21, 2020
— cason (@CasonAllen14) December 21, 2020
— Dustin Fleming (@fleming_dustin) December 21, 2020
Made the mistake of supporting the program even after the horrendous season… cost me a fortune in tickets no one will want. 🤦♂️
— Nick Leopper (@NLeopper) December 21, 2020
#Vols make it official — Pruitt says he is experiencing some mild symptoms but is ok. No bowl game and the season is over. https://t.co/raYWCirS3I
— Emily Proud (@emily_proud) December 21, 2020
Tennessee out of the Liberty Bowl vs. West Virginia. There could be some shuffling to get Army in here, or to the Armed Forces Bowl vs. Tulsa if Mississippi State gets moved to this https://t.co/x1XMa82SBm
— CollegeFootballNews (@ColFootballNews) December 21, 2020
We got punched in the face and stumbled ass backward into a rare good decision https://t.co/ZucatRkdPZ
— Jon (Basketball Guy) (@BigJon865) December 21, 2020
army army army! https://t.co/kGEAsiavI0
— NunbutCFB (@nunbutcfb) December 21, 2020
Lol, this program is an absolute embarrassment. https://t.co/ljjWoF2q9C
— Ryan Cate (@Ryan13C) December 21, 2020
It’s a Christmas Miracle! https://t.co/6dynV5E2Fl
— 🅲🅷🅸🅴🅵 1580 (@JasonCarter03) December 21, 2020
🗑. I have loved this team for so long, but it’s basically just a circus at this point 🤡 https://t.co/bIeGY4LsRL
— Tyler Moran (@NotAnotherTyler) December 21, 2020
COVID-19, Tennessee 0. Novel Coronavirus U. has been crowned the 2020 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Champion. https://t.co/xufB0tfNBA
— Justin 🚝 (@TheCreutz) December 21, 2020
Damn, WVU could have handed Pruitt his first and last loss at Tennessee https://t.co/XHrikaFfJ7
— what are we doing? (@Pat12AfterDark) December 21, 2020
Send in Army baby!