Tennessee football heads on the road for its regular season finale at Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon. A win over its instate rival sends the Vols to the College Football Playoffs. A loss will eliminate Tennessee from consideration in the most excruciating fashion.
Here’s a look at the Vanderbilt Commodores ahead of the matchup.
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How The Commodores Got Here
Vanderbilt is perhaps the biggest surprise in the SEC this season. They made a statement week one by upsetting Virginia Tech, a trendy preseason pick in the ACC, but the Commodores week three loss at Georgia State made them easy to forget.
That changed in a massive way two weeks later when Vanderbilt shocked the nation with a win over Alabama in Nashville. It was the start of a tremendous five games for Vanderbilt where they went 4-1 in SEC play with its lone loss coming in narrow fashion against Texas. That stretch clinched bowl eligibility for the first time since 2008.
The last two games have not gone as well with South Carolina blowing out the Commodores in Nashville before Vanderbilt suffered a narrow defeat at LSU. They’re looking for what would be the biggest win of their season against rival Tennessee to cap off the regular season.
Vanderbilt’s Strengths
One of the reasons Vanderbilt has been competitive in nearly every game this season is the way they control the ball. The Commodores rank third in the SEC in time of possession per game and boast a balanced offensive attack.
They’re able to do that in part because they take care of the football. Vanderbilt’s six total turnovers this season are the least of any team in the SEC. Vanderbilt has also been stout at taking advantage of scoring opportunities. They’ve scored on 36 of 38 trips to the red zone this season including touchdowns in 26 of those trips. The Commodores are balanced in the red zone too, both throwing and rushing for touchdowns.
Like on offense, Vanderbilt’s defense has been balanced. But they’ve been particularly strong against the run where its opponents are averaging just 123 yards per game.
Vanderbilt’s Weaknesses
The last section included a lot of stuff about Vanderbilt maximizing it s offensive possessions. That’s because the Commodores simply have not gained many yards. They rank 15th in the SEC with 329 yards per game and rank bottom three in the SEC in both passing and rushing yards.
Defensively, Vanderbilt’s third down defense is the very worst in the SEC with opponents converting 45.8% of their third down attempts. That success is due in large part to a pass rush that has not been very good this season.
Commodores To Know
QB Diego Pavia
No player is more responsible for changing Vanderbilt’s fortunes this season than transfer quarterback Diego Pavia. The New Mexico State transfer can throw and pass all while taking care of the ball.
Pavia’s thrown for 2,029 yards, 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions while also leading Vanderbilt with 671 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. More than that though, Pavia is a gamer who just makes something out of nothing.
TE Eli Stowers
Pavia’s top receiving option is tight end Eli Stowers. The senior has caught 44 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns so far this season.
With Tennessee’s linebackers and safeties often struggling in coverage, limiting Stowers is a major key on Saturday.
LB Randon Fontenette
Fontenette is a due it all linebacker for Vanderbilt. He is second on the team in tackles (42), sacks (3.5) and is first on the team with seven pass break ups to go along with one interception. Fontenette has also played more snaps than any other Commodore defender
The sophomore has led the way for a strong Vanderbilt run defense while also being solid in pass coverage.
S CJ Taylor
Taylor is around the ball a lot for Vanderbilt. His 49 tackles are the most of any Commodore defensive back. He’s also recorded an interception and three pass breakups.
What Josh Heupel Said About The Commodores
Opening statement
“Big road game. Playing a really good football team in Vanderbilt. You look at what they’ve done throughout the season, but statistically they do a great job of tying all three phases together. They play complementary football. They’re smart. They’re tough. They’re physical. They’re disciplined. They make you earn it. Offensively, the quarterback (Diego Pavia) is a dynamic player. It’s quarterback run game. He has unique ability to extend and make plays outside of the scope of of the play call, too. And defensively, they don’t give up a bunch of big plays. They play assignment sound. And special teams, you look at what they’re doing, punt returner (is) dynamic. And their punt game, their punter changes the field.
“So it’s a huge test for us and one we got to get prepared for and get ready for. And practice well and get ready to go play well on Saturday afternoon.”
On if there are similarities in play style between Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia and what Tennessee just faced in UTEP QB Skyler Locklear
“Their guy (Locklear) extended plays and made plays outside of the pocket. Diego is a special player. He just, in the read game, first-level players, running triple option off of it, all type of read schemes, drop-back situations, extending and scrambling and making plays. He’s done a really good job for them. And he’s one of the keys to the game for us. Certainly, defensively, he’s the key to the game.”
On slowing down Vanderbilt’s tight ends after Georgia torched them throwing to tight ends
“Yeah. Better know where he’s at and within the scope of what you’re playing structure wise defensively, you got to have your eyes in the right spot. If you’re not, play action pass is going to be a problem and he’s going to find an opening. So it comes down to the ordinary things. The bigger the game, the better the opponent, it’s alignment, assignment, execution. Your eyes got to have discipline. That takes you to the plays that you got to make.”
On the rivalry with Vanderbilt
“Unique thing here at Tennessee is you got a bunch of them, but this is a long-standing rivalry that we’ve had with them. And, you know, it’s Thanksgiving weekend, you’re playing in a big game against one of your rivals, this is the opportunity that you wanna have.”
