Tennessee football near bottom of Week 10 SEC Power Rankings

Nov 7, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) rushes in the second quarter as Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Kurott Garland (79) and linebacker Roman Harrison (30) defend at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) rushes in the second quarter as Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Kurott Garland (79) and linebacker Roman Harrison (30) defend at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 7, 2020; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores running back Keyon Henry-Brooks (21) runs the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores running back Keyon Henry-Brooks (21) runs the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Lost to Mississippi State Bulldogs 24-17

Does it mean anything that the Vanderbilt Commodores finally competed in a game for the first time since their opening week against the Texas A&M Aggies? They obviously put up a great fight against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, in the fourth quarter, making it incredibly close, and Derek Mason’s team could use that as a turning point for the future.

Honestly, it doesn’t seem like anything significant, though. We already know how much Mississippi State has been struggling ever since its season-opening win over the LSU Tigers, and Vanderbilt ended any chance at a winning record in the regular season this week after the loss. There’s no reason to celebrate anything about the Commodores.

Sure, this team moved the ball against Mississippi State and actually outgained the Bulldogs, but then turnovers kicked in. They had five, and MSU had none, and that’s another sign that even if they do play well, it won’t come without a lot of mistakes. You could say they’re fine if they avoid those mistakes, but if they avoid the mistakes, they won’t move the ball.

Anyway, this team now has to visit the Kentucky Wildcats and face the Florida Gators. They also have road games at the Georgia Bulldogs and Missouri Tigers on the slate. Simply put, 0-10 is on the table. Their most likely chance at a win is against Tennessee football on Nov. 28, and that just happens to be the next team on this slate.