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Tennessee football vs. Vanderbilt: Five key Commodores to watch for against Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 13, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt quarterback Mike Wright (5) throws a pass against Kentucky during the fourth quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt quarterback Mike Wright (5) throws a pass against Kentucky during the fourth quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Mike Wright (5) makes a pass against the Mississippi Rebels during the third quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Mike Wright (5) makes a pass against the Mississippi Rebels during the third quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Pick Analysis. Quarterback. Sophomore. player. 887. Scouting Report. Mike Wright. 1

6’4″ 190 pounds

It’s crazy that a co-starter tops this list. Vanderbilt has plenty of playmakers on offense, most notably Chris Pierce Jr., but Patrick Smith and Rocko Griffin are also threats at running back. Ken Seals may even start over Mike Wright at quarterback.

If Vandy is going to have any chance against Tennessee football, though, Wright needs to be the starter. Assuming Clark Lea is smart enough to know that, Wright’s presence and the way he has been used recently immediately makes him a threat to the Vols’ defense. Dual-threat quarterbacks have been their weakness.

UT’s linebackers have issues getting off blocks. That’s why Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Matt Corral, Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young and Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett all had their best rushing performances against the Vols. Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis was three yards short of his best performance until two sacks skewed everything.

Next. Tennessee-Vanderbilt: 10 keys to the game. dark

The point is that Tennessee football struggles with mobile quarterbacks. Wright’s presence has resulted in Vandy rushing for over 200 yards in two of the past three games. In the one they didn’t, against UK, Wright only played a half. Vandy had 96 rushing yards in that half. Simply put, he’s dangerous, and he could make the offense a real threat against the Vols.

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