The in-state rivalry has seldom felt this significant, and rarely this closely matched on paper. Vanderbilt approaches Week 14 with a record of 9-2, on the verge of achieving what could be considered the finest season in the program's history. A victory in Knoxville would provide a genuine opportunity for a College Football Playoff spot – who would’ve thought?

Opposing them is a Tennessee team with an 8-3 record, invigorated after a decisive win against Florida and aiming to conclude the regular season with nine victories. However, for the Volunteers, it’s not just about pride — a win for Tennessee would effectively shatter Vanderbilt’s CFP aspirations, a scenario that Neyland Stadium would relish. And maybe even our #14 Vanderbilt vs. #19 Tennessee picks?
 

 

 

#14 Vanderbilt vs. #19 Tennessee Predictions for College Football Week 14, Saturday, 11/29

These teams are well-acquainted with each other. Historically, Tennessee has had the upper hand in the series, and even during Vanderbilt’s recent improvements, the Commodores have struggled to overcome the Neyland challenge.

With both offenses coming off impressive performances, this matchup promises to be an exciting SEC clash with significant postseason implications for both teams. So, let’s get right into our #14 Vanderbilt vs. #19 Tennessee predictions!
 

 

 

#14 Vanderbilt vs. #19 Tennessee Spread Pick: Volunteers -3 (-105 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Despite Vanderbilt's impressive season, the Commodores find themselves in a challenging situation, with the matchup dynamics suggesting that Tennessee is likely to cover the small spread at home. This preview will primarily focus on the reasons behind this assessment.

Vanderbilt's achievements thus far have been nothing short of extraordinary. Diego Pavia has been sensational all season, recently showcasing his skills with a staggering 484-yard, six-touchdown performance against Kentucky. However, securing a win in Knoxville presents a completely different set of challenges, particularly against a Tennessee team that:

  • Has claimed victory in six consecutive matchups in this rivalry
  • Holds an impressive 81-21-4 record against Vanderbilt dating back to the early 1900s
  • Rarely loses late-season home games to in-state rivals

This matchup is not taking place in Nashville, where Vanderbilt has found its confidence. Instead, it will be held at Neyland Stadium, and the Commodores have had a mixed record on the road this season, often struggling defensively in those games.

Vanderbilt aims for long, methodical drives, but Tennessee's relentless pressure tends to force quick decisions. When Pavia is thrown off his game, Vanderbilt's performance on early downs becomes significantly less reliable. In most years, the emotional weight tends to favor the underdog during rivalry games. However, that’s not the case here.

A victory for Tennessee wouldn’t merely uphold their home-field pride — it would also shatter Vanderbilt’s CFP aspirations. This serves as a uniquely strong motivator for a Volunteers team that believes it missed early chances against ranked teams.

Last week, the Vols demonstrated their urgency by taking control against Florida early on, leading to a decisive 31-11 win. The locker room is acutely aware of what’s at stake: defeat Vandy, and you not only keep your rival out of the Playoff contention but also position yourself for a 10-win season following the bowl game.

That’s a locker-room speech that practically writes itself.

On the other side, the Commodores must achieve:

  • Pavia performing at an almost flawless level
  • No turnovers
  • Touchdowns in the red zone instead of settling for field goals
  • Their defense creating at least one short field opportunity

Any deviation from this strategy could prove perilous on the road. Meanwhile, Tennessee has several paths to victory. 

Their run game can dictate the pace, Aguilar can keep drives alive with his precision, and the defense is capable of forcing negative plays. While Vanderbilt has excelled with explosive scoring bursts, Tennessee does not present the same vulnerable interior run defenses that allowed Kentucky to falter in the third quarter last week.

Vanderbilt is under significant pressure. Every player is acutely aware of what’s at stake. And while Pavia has shown impressive skills, he has yet to experience a road game with College Football Playoff implications hanging in the balance. 

Tennessee is playing with a sense of freedom, confidence, and a strong motivation to thwart a rival’s dream season. That’s why the Volunteers -3 is the smart bet when making #14 Vanderbilt vs. #19 Tennessee predictions.
 

 

 

How To Watch #14 Vanderbilt vs. #19 Tennessee College Football Week 14

  • Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
  • Time: 3:30 PM ET
  • TV: ESPN
  • Location: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

 

 

 

#14 Vanderbilt vs. #19 Tennessee Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

As we share our #14 Vanderbilt vs. #19 Tennessee predictions, we are excited to provide you with the most recent #14 Vanderbilt vs. #19 Tennessee odds from DraftKings Sportsbook for this thrilling matchup:

  • Money Line (ML): Commodores +124 | Volunteers -148
  • Spread: Commodores +3 (-115) | Volunteers -3 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 65.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

 

 

 

#14 Vanderbilt vs. #19 Tennessee Injury Report & Latest News

Vanderbilt Injury Report

  • V. Hinton (CB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • D. Dickey (QB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • N. Jefferson (DL) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • Y. Ouattara (DL) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • C. Gillespie (RB) – Questionable, Undisclosed

Tennessee Injury Report

  • S. Walton (CB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • P. Lewis (RB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • M. Kitselman (TE) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • J. Dodson (WR) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • R. Gibson III (CB) – Out, Undisclosed
  • J. McCoy (CB) – Out, Knee

 

 

 

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