Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Prediction, Game Preview


Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the SEC matchup between the Volunteers and Commodores.


Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Game Preview

When: Saturday, November 26 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, TN
TV Broadcast: SEC Network

Tennessee’s offense was clicking as the Volunteers defeated Missouri 63-37 this past Saturday on Senior Day in Knoxville. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs accounted for 413 yards of total offenses and five touchdowns while running back John Kelly rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Vanderbilt pulled off the upset of Ole Miss to keep its bowl hopes alive. In the 38-17 win, running back Ralph Webb ran for 123 yards and three touchdowns while quarterback Kyle Shurmur threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.

What To Know About Tennessee

A season with high expectations has been a disappointment for the Volunteers, with a lot of injuries and players leaving the program resulting in an 8-3 record. Still, Tennessee has a shot at a good bowl game, and Dobbs would like to go out a winner. Since Jalen Hurd left the team, both Alvin Kamara and Kelly have stepped up at the running back position. They will need to provide some help to Dobbs as the Vanderbilt defense is solid, allowing just 21.5 points per game.

Defensively, the Volunteers must make it a priority to stop Webb from getting going on the ground. When Webb is shut down, the pressure switches to Shurmur.

What to Know About Vanderbilt

Webb is one of the more overlooked players in college football, as he has rushed for 1,058 yards this season along with ten touchdowns. When he is on, the Vanderbilt offense is dangerous.

The defense is led by linebacker Zach Cunningham, who has made 109 tackles including 16.5 for a loss. The Commodores defense is tough on opponents when it comes to points, but will allow a lot of yards.

Advantages

Offense: Tennessee. Dobbs deserved a better season in his last year in Knoxville.

Defense: Vanderbilt. Cunningham is going to make some NFL team happy.

Special Teams: Tie. Vanderbilt kicker Tommy Openshaw is 13-for-16 on field goal attempts, with a long of 52 yards.

Coaching: Tie. The pressure on Butch Jones will grow even more if the Volunteers don’t win out.

Intangibles: Vanderbilt. The ‘Dores are playing at home with a chance at making a bowl game.

Matchup To Watch

Ralph Webb vs. Tennessee front seven

If the Volunteers can shut down Webb and put pressure on Shurmur, they should have success.

Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Betting Odds

Spread: Tennessee -7.5
Over/Under: 55

Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Prediction

A win for Vanderbilt would make this season and give head coach Derek Mason something to build on with an extra month of practice heading into the bowl game. The game is at home, but unfortunately for the ‘Dores fans, they might be outnumbered by the Big Orange supporters. This could be a sneaky good game as both teams have a lot of pride on the line. In the end, Dobbs will lead the Volunteers to a close victory.

Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Score Prediction: Tennessee 31, Vanderbilt 27

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