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VFL Players' Lounge: Malik Foreman & Todd Kelly Jr. preview Vanderbilt

On3 imageby: Eric Cain11/26/22_Cainer
On3 image
Credit: On3 staff

As Tennessee concludes the regular season at Vanderbilt, former Vols defensive backs Malik Foreman and Todd Kelly Jr. stopped by the VFL Players’ Lounge to give their thoughts on the Commodores rivalry and the season overall.

Tennessee seeks its first 10-win regular season since 2003 and a victory in Nashville caps a double-digit win season for Josh Heupel in only his campaign as head coach of the Vols. Vanderbilt has won two-straight entering the matchup and will be fighting for bowl eligibility on Senior Day.

What’s at stake for Tennessee?

Coming off an embarrassing 25-point loss on the road at South Carolina, Tennessee is looking to finish the regular season the right way, avoiding a November collapse. The Vols are still in play for their first 10-win regular season since 2003 and first 10-win season overall since 2007. With a win on Saturday over the ‘Dores, Tennessee is in excellent shape for a New Years bowl game. A victory would also hand the Vols their sixth victory inside conference play. Vanderbilt has won two-straight over Kentucky and Florida entering the matchup after previously dropping the five contests prior. The Commodores are a win shy of bowl eligibility and Saturday’s contest will be Senior Day in Nashville. Tennessee leads the all-time series with Vanderbilt 78-33-5 and the Vols have won three straight over their in-state foe.  

Tennessee at Vanderbilt, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network

Tennessee holds a 78-33-5 lead in the all-time series with Vanderbilt, dating back to the first meeting of the two programs on October 21, 1892. Of Vandy’s 33 wins against the Vols, 18 came 1892 and 1926. 

There were two ties and only two Tennessee wins over the first 23 games, before the Vols hired General Robert Neyland as head coach, with the emphasis on evening the rivalry with Vanderbilt. Since 1927, Tennessee is 76-15-2 against Vanderbilt.

The Vols lost five of seven to Vanderbilt between 2012 and 2018, when Derek Dooley (2012), Butch Jones (2013-2017) and Jeremy Pruitt (2018-2020) were running the program.

Tennessee has won its last three games against Vanderbilt. The Vols won 22 in a row between 1982 and 2004, before Vandy’s 28-24 win at Neyland Stadium in 2005. Tennessee responded six straight wins, before the ‘Dores won 41-18 in Nashville in 2012, leading to the firing of Dooley the following day.

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