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Tennessee football: Ranking 2020 games by importance

By Caleb Calhoun

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Mascots Davey Crockett and Smokey of the Tennessee Volunteers pose for a photo prior to a 38-13 loss to Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Mascots Davey Crockett and Smokey of the Tennessee Volunteers pose for a photo prior to a 38-13 loss to Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images
Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images /

7. Nov. 28 – at Vanderbilt Commodores

Just like the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Vanderbilt Commodores should be horrible this year. Also, just like Arkansas, Tennessee football will have no problem facing this team on the road. In fact, it may even be a home game for the Vols, if there are fans in the stadium, given the fact that Nashville is UT country anyway. Simply put, Vol fans shouldn’t have to worry about this one.

We have this game ahead of the Arkansas game in terms of importance for a couple of reasons. Although the teams should be equally bad, Vandy may be more difficult simply due to the continuity with Derek Mason as head coach. He at least has his systems in place, even if he still doesn’t have the proper weapons to continually run that system.

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt is an SEC East opponent. Again, in a crazy universe where both the Vols and Commodores compete for the division title this year, that could come into play. It was hard not to laugh writing that out loud, but you never know what type of teams will be the surprise team on any given year.

Finally, despite what anybody says, Vanderbilt is technically an in-state rival. Jeremy Pruitt has to make sure UT always dominates the recruiting battles with them, and UT always need to own the series. Losing three straight and five of seven before last year was brutal, and it wrecked the pride of every Vol fan. Pruitt needs to keep the dominance that returned last year.

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