On Nov. 12, The Vanderbilt Hustler, the student newspaper of the Commodores, ran a column titled “A new kind of ranking in the SEC: Douchiness,” which ranks UT head coach Lane Kiffin as the “douchiest” coach in the SEC “by a landslide.”
The column goes on further with a pathetic attempt to prove this point, writing their ranking is proven because Kiffin coaches at Tennessee, which “inherently makes him a douche,” and continues to call out coaches for recruiting violations while committing some of his own.
Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl had an unexpected guest at his 100th victory against UNC Asheville Tuesday night from top prospect Tobias Harris, his second such trip in the last month. Harris decided on Thursday he would like to do more than visit Knoxville. During a 6 p.m. press conference, Harris announced he would play his college basketball on Rocky Top.
Ranked the fifth-best player in the nation by Rivals.com, Harris is tied with Scotty Hopson as the highest-rated player to ink with the Vols under Pearl. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound power forward out of Glen Head, N.Y., was thought to be a Syracuse lock but admitted during his ESPNU press conference his relationship with Pearl persuaded him to head south for his college career.
The Vanderbilt Commodores will come into Neyland Stadium looking for their second win against in-state rival Tennessee Volunteers since 1983.
Coach Bobby Johnson said that in spite of their SEC-low two wins and no wins in the conference, the Commodores are anxious for the opportunity to play in Neyland Stadium.
To say Vanderbilt has had a difficult season in the SEC would be an understatement. The Commodores have dropped every conference game this year. In fact, Vandy’s only two victories have come against Western Carolina and Rice. Factor in head coach Bobby Johnson’s 108th-ranked offense against UT’s strong defensive unit, and a road victory in Neyland seems unlikely for this 2-9 squad. One factor that favors the Commodores is the kick return game. Warren Norman has returned three kickoff returns for touchdowns on the year, and Tennessee’s return defense has been anything but dominant thus far. Plus, Daniel Lincoln has flat-out forgotten how to kick, so with a lagging offense and an ailing defense, special teams could be key for Vanderbilt’s game. Still, after the disturbing beatdown the Vols received last weekend at the hands of Ole Miss, Tennessee isn’t about to give up a comfy home contest against the Commodores.
Senior Night will be doubly important for the Tennessee football team on Saturday, as the Vols will honor many players’ final home game, while also aiming to become bowl eligible against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Vanderbilt, which sits at 2-9 overall, is still looking for its first SEC win.
Senior running back Montario Hardesty said being recognized Saturday is a big deal, but the most important thing to him is earning Tennessee’s sixth win.
Vandy arrives in Knoxville winless in conference play, a 2-9 overall record and nothing to play for. Tennessee comes in 5-5, one win short of bowl eligibility and everything to play for. Ipso facto, Saturday will likely be a long day for the hapless Commodores. Their only shot hinges on the hope their anemic offense, ranked 108th in the nation, finding a way to score on UT’s injury-depleted defense. As it is, look from Crompton and Hardesty, both of whom will celebrate their senior day, to go out in grand fashion — as in career days for both. It also may be the last time Eric Berry runs through the ‘T’ on Saturday, and one can only assume a special player like Berry has one more special day in store for the Tennessee faithful. This one could get ugly. After all, this isn’t a MCAT exam; it’s a football game.
After coping with the loss last Saturday against Ole Miss, Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin said he was extremely pleased after Wednesday’s practice, as the team continues preparations for Vanderbilt this week.
“We had a lot of energy for whatever reason, very competitive there at the end,” Kiffin said. “We turned a half-padded practice into a live one there at the end. So it’s great to see that energy this late in the season.”
