Try as he might, first-year Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason can’t seem to stir up the animosity on the University of Tennessee campus that his predecessor could. When James Franklin left to take over the Penn State football program, he took a lot of the bad blood with him. So far, Mason has been unable to recapture the magic, but he’s trying.
This week Mason would not cal the Volunteers (5-6, 2-5 Southeastern Conference) by name, instead referring to them as the “Team out east.” Butch Jones and his team did not take the bait.
“We should have enough motivation to win the game and win number six,” Jones said. “Our players know what’s at stake. That doesn’t even need to be discussed.”
It wasn’t discussed to the point that most players hadn’t heard it all. At Tuesday’s media session, sophomore quarterback Joshua Dobbs had no idea what a sportswriter was talking about when asked about the quote.
“I’m not really bothered by it and don’t really care,” Dobbs said.
Rivalry Renewed
After nearly a century of domination by Tennessee, Vandy has won the last two meetings between the two teams. Two seasons ago it was a 48-18 thrashing delivered by the Commodores (3-8, 0-7). Last year Vanderbilt barely escaped Neyland Stadium with a 14-10 win.
Tennessee leads the all-time series 73-30-5, with its last win a 27-21 triumph in overtime in 2011. Since 1983 Vandy has recorded only three wins over the Volunteers.
Under Franklin the Commodores went to three consecutive postseason bowl games, winning two of them. This year’s team enters its final game only playing for pride.
The Vols are on a completely different trajectory. A win means bowl eligibility for the first time since 2010. Tennessee has a one-game playoff against Vandy. If they win, they’re in.
“This is our live or die time,” freshman running back Jalen Hurd said. “We’ve got to get this win to get to a bowl game. This is everything and we’ve got to do our best to prepare as much as we can.”
Getting Offensive
Last week in their 29-21 loss to No. 17 Missouri, the Vols struggled to put up points in their worst offensive performance since Joshua Dobbs took over at quarterback. Tennessee gained just 297 yards of total offense and settled for field goals when they needed touchdowns. Vanderbilt’s defense is a far cry from Missouri’s, but it’s a problem that the team needed to address in preparing for the game.
“As an offense our heads are up,” Dobbs said. “We know we can put up points and move the ball so we’re excited to show what we can do Saturday.”
Tennessee should be helped by the return to full strength of wide receiver Von Pearson, who offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian said was close to 100 percent. Sidelined center Mack Crowder participated in practice Tuesday, but will still be questionable for the game.
No Change on Defense
The biggest hole Tennessee had to fill last week was at middle linebacker, with All-SEC star A.J. Johnson suspended from an ongoing rape investigation. In his place freshman Jakob Johnson started, recording three tackles and one quarterback hurry. While the younger Johnson has a way to go before matching A.J. Johnson’s output, Jones has made no change on defense to protect his freshman linebacker.
“We’re playing our defense,” Jones said. “Nothing has changed schematically with that. It’s very impressive. Here’s a young man (Jakob Johnson) that’s a true freshman. To be able to excel in the mental part of it like he did was very impressive. We’re going to need that moving forward Saturday.”
The Pick
After two years of winning football, Vandy returns to the bottom of the SEC East where they’ve spent most of the last 30 years. The Commodores can’t seem to find a quarterback, playing four different men this season. Those four have combined for 12 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions. Tennessee knows what’s on the line. Dobbs summed it up Tuesday.
“It’s a game where our dreams, hopes and aspirations are on the line,” Dobbs said. “We need to take advantage of the opportunity.”
I say they do.
Contributor’s pick: Tennessee 48, Vanderbilt 16
