TENNESSEE (4-7, 0-7 SEC) VS. VANDERBILT (4-7, 0-7)
4 p.m. › Neyland Stadium in Knoxville › SEC Network & 106.5 FM
THE MATCHUP
It’s a battle of the Southeastern Conference cellar dwellers in the season finale for both, and there’s not much on the line except in-state rivalry bragging rights. Well, for Tennessee, there’s also the added incentive of needing a win to avoid the first eight-loss season in program history. Aside from that, it’s about sending the senior Volunteers out with a win. Their class won three straight bowl games and helped the program rise to No. 9 in the country last season. Obviously, 2017 has gone off course, but the group can reach 30 wins for their four years with a victory today and finish their Tennessee careers with a 3-1 record against the Commodores. It’s a big game for Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason. Last year, a win against Tennessee in the regular-season finale earned Vanderbilt a bowl berth and helped keep the heat off of Mason. After a lackluster year, he needs another win over the Vols to keep his seat from warming.
ONES TO WATCH
Tennessee’s defense, specifically its secondary, probably wants redemption for last year’s dismal 45-34 loss at Vanderbilt. Kyle Shurmur threw for a career-high 416 yards and the Vanderbilt offense racked up 608 total in an upset of the Vols. Shurmur started 2017 strong but has been intercepted seven times the past two games. Tennessee’s passing defense has statistically been among the best in the country this season, but that’s mainly because it has not been tested. Missouri threw for four touchdowns against the Vols two weeks ago and showed that Tennessee actually is vulnerable against the pass. If the Commodores get things going through the air, they could take a lead that will be hard for Tennessee’s offense to overcome. But if the Vols snag a couple of interceptions and make Shurmur uncomfortable, it could flip the tide in their direction.
IN THE END
There is no questioning that the Vols have played with effort all year, even as their goals and their head coach’s job fell by the wayside. So even though a bowl game is out of reach now, there’s no indication Tennessee players are going to quit trying. The personnel problems are painful and obvious, especially on the offensive line. There’s no getting around the fact that it will be nearly impossible for this offense to outscore a good opponent behind an injury-depleted line. That puts pressure on the defense to hold Vanderbilt to fewer than 20 points. Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop’s unit should have a final hurrah left in it, especially against a team of Vanderbilt’s caliber. This isn’t the finale that Tennessee’s seniors envisioned, but they will have enough pride to stay in position to win late.