The Fearless Prediction was not surprised by the result of the Tennessee/Georgia game last weekend. Georgia is who we thought they thought they were (RIP Dennis Green) and gave UT an up-close look at the level they need to get to in order to compete for SEC and national titles.

This week things get considerably more favorable for the Vols when they host in-state rival Vanderbilt at 3:30 Saturday (SECN).

The Commodores are … how can I put this … not good. They are 2-9 and riding a 9-game losing streak. In only 1 of those losses was the final margin less than 16 points. They are ranked 109th nationally in total offense and 96th in scoring offense, putting up 22.27 points per game.

Defensively things look even worse. They are ranked 120th in total defense and 123rd in scoring defense, allowing over 35 points per game.

No, it is not a surprise that the Vols are massive favorites, despite a 2-game losing streak in which Tennessee was outscored 74-17.

Vandy QB Ken Seals isn’t a guy who will air out the football very much, averaging 124.7 yards through the air per outing. When he does throw, he looks to senior Will Sheppard, who leads the Commodores in receptions (45), receiving yards (64) and TD catches (8). RBs Sedrick Alexander and Patrick Smith split most of the carries and combine for 59.5 rushing yards per game.

Defensively, sophomore LB Langston Patterson has quietly put together a pretty good season, leading Vandy with 66 tackles with 8 for losses. Nate Clifton has a team leading 5.5 sacks.

Tennessee’s offense has come crashing back to earth, putting up 17 points total against Missouri and Georgia. Making matters worse, those 2 TDs came on big plays, a 46-yard pass from Joe Milton to Dont’e Thornton at Mizzou and a 75-yard run by Jaylen Wright against UGA. An offense that prides itself on long, sustained drives hasn’t been able to do much of that lately.

The QB, most of the time, gets too much credit and too much blame, and Milton has seen his share, especially of the latter. This season he’s completed 64.5% of his passes for 2,430 yards and 16 TDs. He’s also rushed for 288 yards and 5 scores. Those aren’t awful numbers. But this offense needed him to be at a Hendon Hooker stature to go from a good to a great season.

It’s not all his fault. The Bru McCoy injury in the South Carolina game was an absolute killer for this offense. Not only for what McCoy could do catching the football, but his blocking ability as well. Also, the offensive line took a step back this season.

Even with all those woes, the Vols rank 27th in the country in total offense.

Tennessee fans begging to see 5-star backup QB Nico Iamaleava will probably get their wish on Saturday. This would be Iamaleava’s 4th appearance of the season, which means they have not burned a possible redshirt opportunity. This will be Iamaleava’s team next season, and the more snaps the better.

On defense, Vols LBs Elijah Herring and Aaron Beasley have had solid campaigns. Herring is tops on the Vols with 71 tackles. while Beasley is 2nd with 63, plus a team-leading 11.5 tackles for loss.

This is a “save the season” game for Vanderbilt. Thanks to a quirk in the schedule, they are coming off a bye week, giving them some extra late season rest. For Tennessee, it’s a chance to finish the regular season with 8 wins and beat the Commodores for the 5th straight time. Well, 3rd straight if you are discounting the 2019 and 2020 wins that UT was forced to vacate due to Jeremy Pruitt’s NCAA violations.

Tennessee has more than enough talent to finish the regular season with a stress-free win. And the Vols should cover the 26.5-point spread with ease.

Fearless Prediction time …

Tennessee 49, Vanderbilt 7