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Tennessee football: Five Vols to watch for against Vanderbilt

By Dean Zulkofske

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 7: Roman Harrison #30 of the Tennessee Volunteers jogs off the field during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 7: Roman Harrison #30 of the Tennessee Volunteers jogs off the field during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Collin Hill #15 of the South Carolina Gamecocks attempts a pass as defensive linemen Matthew Butler #94 and Kurott Garland #79 of the Tennessee Volunteers pressure him during the football game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 26, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Collin Hill #15 of the South Carolina Gamecocks attempts a pass as defensive linemen Matthew Butler #94 and Kurott Garland #79 of the Tennessee Volunteers pressure him during the football game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 26, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

These will be the key Tennessee football Volunteers players vs. Vandy.

Now sitting at 2-6, Jeremy Pruitt and Tennessee football have what is likely their best chance at adding one more win to their thus far disappointing 2020 season. The Vanderbilt Commodores will face the Vols in Nashville, Tenn. this Saturday, making up the contest that was originally scheduled to take place on Nov. 28.

Instead of that originally scheduled meeting, the Commodores hosted the Missouri Tigers and suffered a 41-0 loss as their overall record dropped to 0-8. Since that home loss two weeks ago, Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason was fired and offensive coordinator Todd Fitch was named interim head coach.

The Commodores haven’t played a game since, and because of these circumstances, UT has opened as 14-point road favorites over their in-state rivals. So for the first time in over two months, Tennessee football will take the field against an opponent that is clearly in worse shape than they are, but that doesn’t mean a win is guaranteed. These five Vols will have to step up.

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Defensive lineman. Senior. 5. Matthew Butler. player. 839

6’4″ 291 pounds; Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.

For Matthew Butler, one of the veteran leaders on Tennessee football’s defensive group, it’s been a frustrating senior year. Chosen as one of the team captains ahead of UT’s matchup with the Florida Gators, Butler finished Week 14 with two tackles, both of which were assists.

At this point, with 32 tackles on the season, it seems unlikely that he’ll match the 45 tackles he posted last year as a junior, but Butler has been an integral part of the Vols’ defense on a weekly basis. Working alongside young inside linebackers and a transfer at nose tackle is not always easy, but for the most part, Butler has done his job in the trenches.

Now, UT’s pass rush has been inconsistent all season, but their run defense has been stout, allowing an average of 143 yards per game over 8 games. Butler provides the facets of the game that don’t always show up on the stat sheet: leadership, passion, and putting himself in the right position on each play. He’ll do just that on Saturday against Vanderbilt.

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