Rocky Top Roundtable: Vanderbilt

Tennessee finishes off the regular season on Saturday against Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium. The crew from Volquest breakdown the matchup with the Commodores in the Rocky Top Roundtable.

“A lot of things have to happen for Vanderbilt to make the playoffs,” Brent Hubbs said. “Take that off the table and this is the biggest matchup between these two teams in the history of the series probably. Both teams are ranked and this is not your mom and dad’s Vanderbilt Tennessee game to close out the regular season.”

The Commodores checked in at No. 14 in last week’s CFP rankings with a 9-2 overall record and 5-2 mark in Southeastern Conference play with losses on the road to Alabama and Texas. Vanderbilt needs to win Saturday and look good doing it and also needs some help elsewhere. 

While Vanderbilt has hopes of climbing into the college football playoff, Tennessee is playing a different role this year.

“There is no playoff on the line for Tennessee but it feels huge,” Rob Lewis said. “Coming off the Florida game. You won that one and have a chance to finish strong and to spoil the best Vanderbilt season anyone can remember. It’s a pretty spicy way to end for Tennessee.”

Watch the full Rocky Top Roundtable below.

Tennessee favored over Vanderbilt

Kickoff between Tennessee (8-3, 4-3 SEC) and Vanderbilt (9-2, 5-2) at Neyland Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time start on ESPN.

The Vols are 5-6 against the spread this season, covering a 13.5-point spread against Syracuse, a 39.5-point spread against ETSU, as a 3.5-point underdog against Georgia, as an 8.5-point favorite at Kentucky and as a 4.5-point favorite at Florida.

Tennessee has failed to cover a 38.5-point spread against UAB, a 7.5-point spread at Mississippi State, a 10.5-point spread against Arkansas, an 8.5-point spread at Alabama, a 3.5-point spread against Oklahoma and a 42.5-point spread against New Mexico State.