Podcast
Tennessee Stat Book
Vanderbilt Commodores
Once every two years, Vanderbilt Stadium takes on a decided orange tint. Saturday is time to test that phenomenon again.
Tennessee football fans tend to swamp Vanderbilt’s cozy, 39,773-seat stadium when the Vols (3-7, 1-5 SEC) visit Nashville every other season. Some UT zealots even buy Vanderbilt season tickets just for the one game.
It’s officially a home game for the Commodores, but just another chance to sing “Rocky Top” for the Vols — UT has won 12 straight games at Vanderbilt and 19 of the past 21.
This year, however, the color scheme will be put to a test by a reversal of fortunes for both sides in a rivalry that dates to 1892.
The Commodores (6-4, 4-3) are bowl eligible for the first time since 1982.
Furthermore, they’re a slight favorite in a 12:30 p.m. kickoff (TV: WVLT) to beat a Tennessee team that is playing out the string under lame-duck coach Phillip Fulmer.
“I hope we’ve got a huge black and gold advantage in our stadium,’’ Vandy coach Bobby Johnson said. “That’s a great advantage for teams to come in our stadium and bring a crowd.
“Certainly, Tennessee fans support their team as good as any. I don’t know any way to predict that.’’
Johnson is concerned about Vandy’s students leaving for the Thanksgiving break. Sure enough, 2,000 tickets were made available to the public this week.
“I hope our fans step up and support us,’’ Johnson said.
And to what degree will Tennessee fans support a team that is in danger of an historic eighth loss in a season?
Fulmer and his staff, meanwhile, are more concerned with a well-coached opponent than the crowd.
“Since Bobby’s been there,’’ said Fulmer, “they’ve done a really good job on defense.
“They’re a defensive team that’s very sound and really makes you work at moving the football.’’
Johnson is finishing his seventh year at Vanderbilt. Seven of the nine assistants have been with him the entire time.
“They do as good a job of coaching as anyone in this league, no question,’’ said UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said. “They’re a hard-nosed, physical team and that reflects their coaches.’’
If Johnson hasn’t exactly turned the Vandy-UT series on its ear — he’s 1-5 against the Vols — he has at least made it interesting again.
Vanderbilt didn’t even score against UT for three consecutive years, 2001-2003. The Vols won by a combined 100-0. That includes Johnson’s first two Vandy teams.
Three of the four games since, however, have each been decided by less than a touchdown’s difference. The 2005 game in Knoxville was decided in Vanderbilt’s favor, 28-24, snapping a 22-year losing streak to Tennessee.
The Vols squeaked by last year, 25-24, when Vandy’s game-winning field-goal try deflected off an upright, wide left.
“We’re certainly in better shape than we were when we first got here as a staff, as far as competing with them,’’ Johnson said.
Dave Clawson, UT’s first-year offensive coordinator, doesn’t need a crash course on Vandy. He played them two of his past three seasons as head coach at Richmond, losing 37-13 in 2005 and 41-17 in 2007.
Thus, he’s already acquainted with a defense that has 16 interceptions, second best in the SEC, and 27 sacks, which ties for the league lead.
“Vanderbilt has played good defense for a number of years,’’ Clawson said. “This isn’t anything new.’’
What is new is Vandy being bowl eligible. The Commodores have the briefest of bowl histories: 1955, 1974 and 1982.
Since ‘82, Vandy has kicked off against Tennessee six times needing to close with a win to get bowl eligible. The ’Dores went 0-6.
However, they took care of business last week with a 31-24 win at Kentucky. Beating UT, or Wake Forest next week, only improves their standing in the SEC bowl pecking order.
“That took a little weight off our shoulders,’’ Johnson said, “especially our players that hear so much about it.’’
Now the suspense is whether Vandy’s fans come out Saturday to celebrate, or whether the orange invasion takes place on schedule.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 96
ctownvol writes:
Seems like just 3 or 4 years ago when Vandy was thought of as an automatic W.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Vandy will go up in the pecking order after defeating UT, 27-10
SemperVol writes:
Apparently we already know the Clawfense won't work against the Candy Doors...13 points in '05 and 17 points last year.
Irwin_Linker writes:
This is going to be a tough one. We are less than exceptional, also this might be one of the best teams Vandy has ever fielded. It is going to take an outstanding game from are defense to pull this one out. I'm not to excited about Crompton getting the start. I would like to see us run the Wild Hog for the entirety of our last two games. I believe it wiould give us the best chance to put some points on the board. Considering some might say our quarterback situation is sub par.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
5th
jasonn1970 writes:
I'd be really surprised if UT can upset Vanderbilt.
(I can't believe I just said those words.....)
RemembertheAlamo writes:
BJ off the bench for the win. Go Vols. Yeah Baby!
rusty_shackleford writes:
The commode doors play Wake Forest the weekend of Thanksgiving? Their pencil-necked Chancellor (Gee at the time) changed the UT v. Vandy game a few years ago so his precious little darlings wouldn't be forced to play during the holidays. My, how $ talks and BS walks....Gee is gone, BTW.
VOLFTBL writes:
ESPN has posted an article about the game:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/st...
blitzshoot writes:
UT coaches are reflected by a 3-7 record.
DennisVols writes:
I keep telling myself that next year it will be different. A new coach and a new attitude. Why does it still hurt?
tnbigg writes:
Truly sad...our program in shambles...I heard its the fans fault...BAD...BAD...look what you've done...not even a caveman could have done this...
jimbunch writes:
I dread this game but would love to be surprised. Go Vols!
tnbigg writes:
It almost sounds a little like it was planned partially in pterodactyl...Vandy favored...veeek...
tnbigg writes:
The Vols veeek a veeektory...against veeenkderbilt...
thurs2000#245193 writes:
I can hear the Vandy fans chanting SAT SAT SAT'
gslaton#227127 writes:
Over 40+ years of following the Vols, I do not recall Vandy ever being favored at all. But, if Tenn can complete 50% of their passes this week we have a chance. But, based on our results this year, I doubt it. Still can't believe the completion rate??
blitzshoot writes:
Who would have thought that UT could see the time that they very easily could lose to Vandy and KY, but yet,
be the underdog as well. It's almost like a sudden car wreck and your first thought is "what just happened."
GoVol writes:
Vandy 24 Vols 10
Bobby Johnson could swap sides and beat Fulmer.
wmainhotrods writes:
24-10 Vandy.................Crumton =loss
I don't get sick to my stomach any more,just used to it now.
thurs2000#245193 writes:
As Bobby Scott says "If you can't say something good about Tennessee say something bad about Vanderbilt"
tnbigg writes:
This is the insiders sign that it's time to have fun...it was allegedly agreed to between our starting quarterback and his coach...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqT5M_...
WAIT FOR THE SIGN...and then look at the starting quarterback...that is when he is really going to have fun!!!!
fishportion writes:
21st
pdhuff#552644 writes:
To show we can take it, my son and I are motoring to Dudley Field this weekend.
If we get behind 14-0, I'm sure I'll be pleasantly agreeing with the pithy Vandy comments.
I think we are about row 20 so maybe no errant missles will inflict any damage.
NeylandWest writes:
It seems that Clawson's offense at TN is on par with his offense from Richmond. At least, it is in terms of scoring versus an SEC opponent.
13 points in 2005
17 points in 2007
Why am I not surprised?
gslaton#227127 writes:
Agreed. The only thing Vandy should beat UT at is 'Jeopardy'.
TommyJack writes:
A win here was a given back when I wore a younger man's clothes.
xvolx writes:
who cares. forfeit the last two games. maybe fulmer will go then.
drum45 writes:
Vandy Sucks!
GerryOP writes:
Yup, bigg, that's my favorite. Good Ol' Phil making like Maxwell Smart talking into his hat! Wonder where I can get an 8 x 10 signed glossy?
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Vandy is the Northwestern of the SEC..all those other SEC graduates paychecks are signed by a Vandy or Northwestern Grad...truly SAT........Fastforward to 9:00 PM November 29, 2008 when it finally is over...unless UK takes UT to OT and wins and dances on the Power T
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
Dear Clawson,
Please take #8 with you when you leave in 9 days. It's the least you can do for us after witnessing the most embarrassing season in the history of Tennessee football.
Regards,
All UT Fans
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I suppose stranger things have happened than Vandy winning an SEC championship, but I would consider it a sure sign of the apocalypse! No doubt Johnson is a good coach, though.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Maybe the Vandy geniuses can explain to Foster that Pterodactyl's don't get thigh bruises. I'm pretty sure they don't have anything that qualifies as a "thigh"...
GerryOP writes:
TJ, that was then ... this is now. As long as you weren't wearing younger woman's clothes, the world is safe! ;>}
shoalcreekvol writes:
But it is a disgrace to lose to Vandy.
shoalcreekvol writes:
I'll throw in "Chess" and "Virginity".
shoalcreekvol writes:
Should I say it again? Just...can't...resist....
Johnson to Clemson, Vicky's Husband to Vandy.
tnbigg writes:
In all of this pregame excitement as our underdog team goes up against the braintrust of the SEC, I've been asked to bring GoVolsXTRA an educational moment in honor of the really smart team our pterodactylians will be phreaking lining up against. It's very enlightening:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpBJV-...
tnbigg writes:
Lesson # 2 - Who was the "Big Kahuna"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8ZkFw...
Not kahona...stop that...
tnbigg writes:
Carlos was wondering...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo6-RQ...
tnbigg writes:
That last one is not be confused with shoalcreekvol's mention of person unnamed here going to Vandy...thank you for your understanding of intent...shal we ask Marina about the origin of the word, "intent"?
TommyJack writes:
You cannot be serious. My name is Luke LeDuka and I always sign my posts.
ctownvol writes:
27 eight by ten color glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each one was to be used against us as evidence?
feathersax writes:
Yes, B. Johnson is a good coach, & Vandy should defeat the Vols, who are stinking up the SEC. But Vandie win an SEC title? Yeah...when Obama recites the Pledge of Allegiance.
TommyJack writes:
Please do not disparage the Messiah.
tnbigg writes:
They're puttin' 'em on display down there at Alice's Restaurant...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
How bad do you want one?
ctownvol writes:
I figured that would get a bite of you bigg. Hope you are doing well brother. Keep your chin up. It's gotta get better.... eventually. Right?
ctownvol writes:
If it doesn't get better, I imagine I will end up on the group "W" bench.
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