Jon Gruden rumors have hit a fever pitch in Knoxville and now, Vegas oddsmakers are buying into the buzz.

BetOnline has pinned the ESPN Monday Night Football analyst as the new frontrunner to take over for Butch Jones at the end of the season, giving him 2.5/1 odds as of Friday night's late update.

Chip Kelly, Jeff Brohm and Bobby Petrino are behind Gruden at +400, +550 and +550, respectively.

Gruden opened as a 20/1 longshot earlier this month.

Tennessee hasn't scored an offensive touchdown in 14 quarters and is a 6-point underdog for Saturday's game at Kentucky.

(h/t SDS)