Vanderbilt will try to extend some history when it hosts Tennessee in Nashville Saturday. The Commodores have won two in a row over the Vols, and aim to continue their first winning streak in the series since the 1920s.
How to watch Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt: Game guide, TV/streaming, odds
There aren’t any conference or national implications, but it’s still an in-state rivalry
There’s no way to sugar coat it: This has been an awful season for Vanderbilt. While most rational fans expected to take a step back with head coach James Franklin gone to Penn State, not many foresaw a team looking for its first SEC win of the year in the season finale.
Tennessee hasn’t had a great year by traditional Vol standards, but in a rebuilding effort, Butch Jones’ team has been competitive. The Volunteers lost one-possession games to Georgia, Florida and Missouri, and they picked up a road win over South Carolina. While there are issues to improve, Tennessee has built a nice foundation for 2015.
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How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Tennessee; Vanderbilt
Online streaming: WatchESPN
The numbers
Rankings and records: Neither team is ranked in any poll. Tennessee enters at 5-6 (2-6 SEC), and Vanderbilt limps in at 3-8 (0-7). The Vols hold a 73-30-5 lead in the all-time series.
Vegas: Tennessee opened as a 14.5-point favorite, and that line is up to 17 points at most sportsbooks. The over/under is listed at 49.5, per Odds Shark.
Weather forecast: Mostly cloudy with a high of 59 and a low of 53.
Two things at stake
The Vols are trying to reach their first bowl game since the 2010 season.
After a few years of success under James Franklin, Vanderbilt is attempting to avoid its first winless SEC campaign since 2009.
One big matchup
Tennessee front seven vs. Vanderbilt offensive line.
This is the only real “strength vs. strength” matchup in the game, and if Vanderbilt wants to pull the upset, it needs to win in the trenches. Tennessee is second in the SEC with 83 tackles for loss and third with 32 sacks. On the other hand, the Commodores have allowed 46 tackles for loss -- fewest in the conference -- and 18 sacks, which is tied for sixth.
Vandy has done little right this season, but avoiding tackles in the backfield has been its best attribute. The ‘Dores need to keep that up on Saturday.
Further reading
For more on Tennessee, check out Rocky Top Talk. For all things Vanderbilt, visit Anchor of Gold.
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