Jeremy Pruitt jokes that he might not even bother punting to Alabama on Saturday

Tennessee faces perhaps the best offense in college football on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has been scoring in bunches this year, utilizing Heisman contender Tua Tagovailoa and his ridiculous talent at wide receiver.

Former Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is now the head coach at Tennessee, so he’s got a unique perspective on the Tide’s offense. But even his expertise and first-hand experience around that group won’t be enough to slow down that offense on Saturday night.

On Monday, Pruitt joked that he might just take a page from a high school team in Arkansas.

“You know, I was thinking about it,” Pruitt began. “There’s a high school team over in Arkansas, they always onside kick. They never punt. I don’t know. I’ve never seen them play. I’ve always heard people talk about it, you know? In fact, I think they played one of the high school teams here in our state this year. Somebody was talking about it. You know, we’ve really kind of considered that as our game plan. Just don’t give them the ball, you know?

That’s a bold strategy, Cotton.

Pruitt went on to say that Alabama has to really try hard not to score 100 points in every game, playing with dynamic playmakers like DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III.

While he was clearly joking, Pruitt did utilize the onside kick last season more than once in an attempt to steal a possession. With how good this Crimson Tide offense is, you’re probably just delaying the inevitable anyways. And honestly, if you’re Tennessee — what exactly do you have to lose?

Don’t expect Pruitt to send his offense back on the field on a 4th and 12, but maybe he’ll be a little more aggressive on 4th and 2. Why not?