Well, this is definitely the biggest Vanderbilt-Tennessee game in a long time. Vanderbilt heads to Knoxville today looking for its first win over the Vols since 2018 — and looking for its first ten-win season in school history, along with possibly maybe a playoff berth? That looks less likely after yesterday’s results (which saw Utah pick up a come-from-behind win over Kansas, and Texas beat Texas A&M), but it’s still within the realm of possibility. Will Vanderbilt make it a 10-win season?
Tennessee
Saturday Predictions: Vanderbilt at Tennessee
You know, I’ve seen a lot of people out there still picking against us like they doubt us. I have also seen a lot of Tennessee fans on Twitter posting about Diego Pavia’s mom behind burner accounts, which let me just say is exceptionally weird. And in some cases psychotic. Give me Vanderbilt to win this one. 10-2 it is.
The Pick: Vanderbilt 38, THEM 27
The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: An underrated one here: ARKANSAS (+3.5) is 2-9 but actually has a positive point differential on the season. This is their last chance to actually get one, so I am picking them to beat Missourah (spits.) How a game between an SWC and Big 8 team counts as “The SEC Upset Pick of the Week” is not clear.
This game screams “First to 50 wins.” Diego’s going to make sure, in his last regular season game, conference game, and rivalry game, that that will be The Gridiron Dores.
It really is that simple. Nothing sucks like a big orange.
The Pick: Vanderbilt 52 – Buttchuggers 49.
The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: The fact that so many of the games have already happened makes this prediction less impactful, so go ahead and give me The South Cackalacky Game Penises over Clemson. Wait… the penises are actually favored in this one??? Ah hell, I guess I’ll do the ol’ “I picked Vanderbilt to win, didn’t I?” canard.
This is a game of great offenses versus less-great defenses. Rivalry games often come down to big moments. Vanderbilt has, at times to a fault, been committed to preventing the big play on defense. They have also turned the ball over once for every two Tennessee turnovers. Turnovers and long TDs are often the plays that swing these games. Vanderbilt has the edge in both.
It is funny seeing the normal “rival trying to ruin their opponent’s season” script flipped. Granted, some results have already fallen that have Vanderbilt’s CFP hopes on life support. Still, the chance to go to the Citrus bowl, which Steve Spurrier called out as the rightful home of the 90s and 00s Vols, hangs in the balance. The Dores have the driver’s seat unless the CFP committee screws them in favor of Texas after the Longhorns’ win over Texas A&M.
Frankly, throw the stats out. The Dores have Diego Pavia who has been on a mission both for New York and for his team’s postseason chances. That baaaad man is not going to be denied in Neyland after struggling horribly against THEM in the 2024 contest.
The Pick: Vanderbilt 48, Tennessee 21
The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: Iron Bowl in Jordan-Hare with Auburn surging under an interim coach? That is absolutely the setup for an upset there. War. Damn. Eagle.
They lowdown.. They dirty. They suck. Go ‘Dores.
The Pick: Vanderbilt 41, Tennessee 31
The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: Upset? Volunteer fans after we whoop the only thing that brings those overgrown brats any joy.