The Tennessee Vols and the Vanderbilt Commodores are set to meet this weekend in what is one of the most highly anticipated matchups ever between the two programs.

Vanderbilt needs a win in Knoxville this weekend to finish the regular season at 10-2, which will give the Commodores a very real shot at making the 12-team College Football Playoff (for what it’s worth, I believe Vandy absolutely deserves to be in the playoff if they finish the regular season with 10 wins).

Tennessee, on the other hand, is looking to finish the season on a strong note and keep hope alive for their third 10-win season in the last four years (the Vols need a win against Vanderbilt and a bowl game win to get to 10 wins).

Tennessee vs Vanderbilt in Knoxville is going to be extra spicy this year

The matchup this weekend between Tennessee and Vandy is going to be extra spicy — and not just because of the post-season implications for the Commodores.

There’s also the trash talk from Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia this past summer that was directed at Tennessee.

“Vanderbilt is gonna run Tennessee after this year,” said Pavia in June during an appearance on Bussin with the Boys. “This is gonna be the new staple of college football. It’s going to happen here at Vanderbilt.”

“Everyone wants to come to [the state of] Tennessee because of Nashville,” continued Pavia. “They want to come to Nashville, so Vanderbilt [is in Nashville. And then when we have the most money in NIL, like, why not come here? So, we literally just have to win this year, and throughout the rest of the year, it’ll take care of itself.”

VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs noted during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will on Wednesday that Tennessee didn’t need to be reminded this week of Pavia’s comments.

“When the ball gets snapped, everything that was said in the offseason goes out the window,” said Hubbs. “Now, if we don’t think that’s been brought up (Pavia’s comments) this week in the complex in Knoxville, then you’re kidding yourself. It’s certainly out there. This team didn’t need to be reminded of it. They’re fully aware of it. But I think once you start playing, you start playing.”

Neither team is talking much trash this week ahead of the game. But there’s no doubt this game is personal for both programs. And that will almost certainly be evident on Saturday afternoon in Neyland Stadium.

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