Seems like just the other day Tennessee was kicking off against Western Kentucky. This week, though, the Vols close out their home schedule with a visit from Vanderbilt for a 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPNU.
Time flies, huh?
Vanderbilt (2-9, 0-7 SEC) has struggled this season and limps into Knoxville having lost seven in a row. The Commodores have also gone without a bye week all season, meaning Saturday will be their 12th game in a row this season.
Saturday will also be the final game for 19 UT seniors, who will make their last run through the 'T' in Neyland Stadium:
DT Wes Brown, H Bram Cannon, TE Jeff Cottam, DS Morgan Cox, S Derrick Furlow, WR Quintin Hancock, WR Steven Hensley, CB Marsalous Johnson, G Jacques McClendon, LB Rico McCoy, C Josh McNeil, G Vladimir Richard, WR Austin Rogers, LT Chris Scott, C Cody Sullins, G Cory Sullins, DT Dan Williams, QB Jonathan Crompton and RB Montario Hardesty.
In one other note about Saturday's game, UT's seniors as well as safety Eric Berry and head coach Lane Kiffin will be featured on a trading card set given to the first 5,000 fans at Gate 10 and Gate 21 for Saturday's game.
On to Saturday's keys:
Stay Stingy: The Vols didn't turn the ball over last week against Ole Miss, marking the second straight SEC game without a turnover. Not only that, but quarterback Jonathan Crompton hasn't thrown an interception in his last 119 attempts dating back to the first half of the Alabama game. That's the fourth-longest streak in UT history. If the Vols can continue to protect the football, that will go a long way toward preventing an upset Saturday.
Quick Start: The Vols are 0-5 this season when their opponent scores first. Which is another way of saying they're 5-0 when they score first. Last week's loss at Ole Miss came on the heels after two pretty blistering first halves against Memphis and South Carolina. Momentum is only half the equation here, though.
Get off the field: The Vols are pretty banged up on defense, nowhere more than at linebacker. The Vols rotated several players at safety with Janzen Jackson out and will likely do so again. It will be key for to get off the field. That's true for third downs - and for getting the starters out of the game as quickly as possible to stay healthy for next week's finale at Kentucky.
Run Wild: Vandy is a tired football team, and it's playing its 12th game in as many weeks Saturday. That's a recipe to run the ball, especially if linebacker Patrick Benoist (concussion) doesn't play. Of course corner Myron Lewis is out, too, which should make throwing the ball a little easier.
Shift Momentum: Tennessee needs a win for bowl eligibility, and it will take it wherever it can get it. But what they need most from Saturday's game is a slingshot performance to close out the season. Before Ole Miss, Tennessee had some swagger. They lost a little bit in Oxford, and they could get some back with a win over Vanderbilt.
amen.