Tennessee @ Vanderbilt preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 19, 2011 ) Vanderbilt 21, Tennessee 27

Tennessee and Vanderbilt are separated by a mere 161 miles, but the Volunteers visit the Commodores on Saturday night in a meeting of two programs that are much further apart. Vanderbilt is heading to a bowl game for the second consecutive time, a program first, after a stirring 27-26 comeback victory at Mississippi. Tennessee has yet to win a SEC game, falling 51-48 in four overtimes to Missouri at home in a loss that may have sealed the fate of embattled head coach Derek Dooley. The Commodores also have the added motivation of last season’s 27-21 overtime loss in Knoxville. Tennessee’s Eric Gordon returned an interception 90 yards for the winning score, a play in which he was originally ruled down.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Vanderbilt, -4

ABOUT TENNESSEE (4-6, 0-6 SEC): Offense has not been the problem for the Volunteers. Tennessee is averaging 37.9 points (second in the SEC) behind junior quarterback Tyler Bray, who has averaged 434 passing yards in his past three games. Bray leads the SEC in passing yards (3,216) and touchdowns (29). But the Volunteers’ defense ranks 113th in FBS, surrendering 37 points per contest. Tennessee has allowed a staggering 45.5 points in its past six games.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (6-4, 4-3 SEC): Just how historic is this season becoming for the Commodores? Consider Vanderbilt is averaging 25.6 points – its fifth-highest total in the past 40 years – and allowing 18.0 points – the second-best showing since 1970. Jordan Matthews ranks second in the conference in receiving yards with 1,003 and receptions with 70. Zac Stacy, the school’s all-time rushing leader, provides balance.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Matthews needs 211 receiving yards to break Boo Mitchell’s single-season school record of 1,213, set in 1988.

2. Since joining the SEC in 1933, the Volunteers have never finished winless in conference play. Tennessee’s only conference win last season came against Vanderbilt.

3. Tennessee has defeated Vanderbilt six consecutive times, and has lost to the Commodores just twice since 1976.

PREDICTION: Vanderbilt 37, Tennessee 27