KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 14: A general view of the Tennessee Volunteers checkerboard stadium during the first quarter of the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Neyland Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The 119th all-time meeting of Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt occurs at Neyland Stadium on Saturday afternoon amid a historic college football season for the Commodores.
Vanderbilt is seeking its first 10-win season in program history and is currently on the bubble to make the College Football Playoff — the Commodores are No. 14 in this week’s most recent rankings, while the Volunteers are No. 19.
Ahead of the annual Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt matchup, Commodores head coach Clark Lea reportedly agreed to a six-year contract extension to remain in Nashville, Tenn. after receiving interest from other Power 4 Div. I programs. Lea, who is in his fifth season coaching at his alma mater, has a 25-35 overall record.
More Information On Tennessee Vs. Vanderbilt
Tennessee (8-3) and Vanderbilt (9-2) first played in 1892 where the Commodores defeated the Volunteers twice. Tennessee didn’t win its first game in the rivalry until 1914 in its 13th meeting against Vanderbilt — it won 16-14.
In 2024, Tennessee beat Vanderbilt 36-23 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Since 2019, Tennessee has won six straight matchups in the annual rivalry and currently leads the all-time series with a 81-32-5 record. At home, the Volunteers hold a 40-11-1 mark against the Commodores.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt senior quarterback Diego Pavia is currently among the top favorites to win the Heisman, according to the latest betting odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. The 23-year-old Pavia — who has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards this season and is responsible for 34 total touchdowns — sits in fourth place at +650 odds.
What Time Is The Tennessee Vs. Vanderbilt Kickoff?
Kickoff on Saturday at Neyland Stadium is scheduled for around 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. College football broadcasters Tom Hart (play by play caller), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), and Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter) will be in Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee is 2.5-point favorites against Vanderbilt, per the most recent sports betting lines on FanDuel Sportsbook. ESPN Analytics predicts that the Volunteers have about a 58% chance of winning the game. Ahead of Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt, five of the nine college football experts at CBS Sports said the Volunteers will also win Saturday.