Late last night former LSU and NFL star Booger McFarland was literally laughing at Tennessee during his post-game commentary on the SEC Network. I can understand that. Again "Botch" Jones took no responsibility for this third terrible agonizing loss during his post game "softball" interview with Vol play-by-play broadcaster "Blob" Kesling after once again blowing a two touchdown lead and losing to a previously 1-3 Arkansas at jam-packed Neyland Stadium. Folks this Razorback bunch had lost to the Toledo freakin' Rockets and hapless and defenseless Texas Tech at home!! It's becoming painfully obvious to those of us in and outside the media who dare speak our minds that Jones and his entire coaching staff at this point looks minor league in terms of scheme and adjustments during big time games and also in coaching great talent up.

Let me tell you people, this team looks demoralized and has obviously lost its collective confidence after three gut-wrenching losses that should have been wins. The responsibility lies simply on coaching, preparation and game management. Coach speak slogans such as "brick by brick" can only last so long and with Jones and his Vols laying bricks on the field, they won't carry weight with the fan base much longer. Frankly Tennessee now looks like a 4-8/5-7 team. With an angry, embarrassed Georgia and a rejuvenated and confident Alabama on the immediate horizon, how could any realistic observer think differently? Do you believe that this current group of coaches and players will be favored against much improved Kentucky and rejuvenated Missouri- both on the road? And believe me the Old Ball Coach and his 'Cocks and a seemingly better Vandy are not automatic wins. If the roof caves in and form holds true in close games, are the embattled Vols' only wins gonna be against three non-Power 5 cupcakes and maybe perennial doormat "Candy?"

The brutal fact is the Vols have now led by 13+ in each of their three gut wrenching losses. Under those circumstances the rest of Power 5 Conference college football is 188-5. That, my friends, speaks volumes!! Earth to UT AD Dave Hart, "You'd better have a down and dirty private meeting with your coach before this situation spirals completely out of control and at the very least tell him he must at least publicly shoulder the responsibility for these three losses."

As the great John Ward often opined, "Nothing more need be said." But I will anyway. At times it looked like the keystone cops out there on both offense and defense wearing orange last night. The passing game is a sick joke. On the other hand special teams were again excellent except for the FG kicker Aaron Medley's accuracy problems. Which may reflect extra pressure and lack of confidence.

For a few minutes relax and take a deep breath, my fellow Big Orange fanatics, it could have been worse. We could have had Hart's first choice, Charlie Strong of Texas, who won't last past this season at college football's wealthiest program with its rightfully angry richest boosters. Jones will be around for at least another year for several reasons: 1) The UTAD coffers, with one of the smallest reserve funds in Power 5 college football because of past mismanagement, simply cannot afford it. 2) He's recruited extremely well with two consecutive top 7 consensus national classes with another good one on the horizon. 3) His teams have been very competitive. 4) He's done a spectacular job with the team's academic performance. 5) His players still believe in and look up to him. And 6) He can make changes in his staff to save himself. Offensive coordinator Mike "Neanderthal" DeBord's head will likely roll first. But the Pied-Piper act is wearing thin in Big Orange Country.

But back to stark reality folks. The Vols stand 2-3, not 5-0 as they obviously should have been, and are staring directly into the faces of a hungry bunch of Bulldogs and a horde of Red Elephants. Is anybody out there is the media or fantasyland gonna tell me that the Dawgs won't bite our butts at Neyland and the mighty Red Elephants won't crush us in Tuscaloosa? Is there a faint, faint glimmer of hope in that two of the three "come from ahead" losses are against teams currently 5-0? As a seven decade Tennessee fan since my eighth birthday, I certainly hope Jones and his kids prove the old Music Man wrong.

Today I reached out to an experienced, successful and well-respected source, with mega-credibility inside and outside the University of Tennessee system, and asked him point blank, "You've spent many years in that business and been ultra-successful in wading through these "mine fields." What would you do in this situation?"

He answer surprised me. "Jerre, I believe that UT System president Joe DiPietro needs to have a serious 'come to Jesus' meeting with UT AD Dave Hart and UTK Chancellor Jimmy Cheek. We are in serious trouble as an institution in Knoxville and therefore elsewhere. Support for Butch Jones is crumbling, almost in free fall. The team seems to have lost confidence in themselves five games into the season. I don't believe we should fire Butch now simply because the crew that hired him and Donnie Tyndall are still calling the shots, and the likelihood would be great they they would make another questionable hire. Remember Charlie Strong now at Texas was their first choice when Jones was hired.

"All of this is to say that I think Butch should have a fourth year primarily because he has recruited well, shored up the team's overall academics and is an excellent representative for and face of the University. However, if this losing pattern continues, he should be placed on notice that new assistants, especially the coordinators, with strong and successful big time championship pedigrees, and coaching credentials and not former cronies, and yes men from the minor leagues, must be hired for next season and allow them to run their respective shows.

"Second I believe the president should serve notice to Hart and Cheek that their jobs are on the line. We need to be prepared that in the event Butch continues to falter and must go, a full house cleaning of the chancellor, AD and head coach should be the call. We need a new and respected AD and chancellor, both of whom should understand the magnitude of any next coaching change and be courageous and smart enough to secure the best coach at whatever cost.

"As you know so well, we've got the fan support, the funding capacity internally and externally and the competitive facilities to be among the elite as we once were. What we lack is quality leadership, and the inadequacy is far deeper than just the football coach. In short, the president and/or the Board of Trustees must step up to the plate and evaluate the performance or lack thereof of Hart and Cheek, dictate that Butch surround himself with more credentialed and qualified assistants and be prepared to clean house when necessary. Frankly, I don't think Butch or anyone else can be as successful as we all want them to be until Hart and Cheek are replaced by true leaders and visionaries."

Sound familiar? Bottom line is that mediocre leadership at the president, chancellor and AD levels in Knoxville has "led" this once proud football program to its lowest level in its 100+ year history. The Big Orange ox now is deep in the ditch and there's no strong and highly respected Ed Boling, Joe Johnson or Doug Dickey around to straighten out the mess. Jimmy and Dave, are you like ostriches with your heads buried deep in the proverbial sand or are you listening? For your own sakes, it better be the latter unless you are bigger fools than you seem to be at the moment. Stay tuned.