The Vanderbilt Commodores have been awarded the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Team of the Week title after their impressive victory over Tennessee, ranked No. 19, in a road game on Saturday. The announcement was made by the Football Writers Association of America and Florida Citrus Sports.
Vanderbilt triumphed with a commanding score of 45-24 at Neyland Stadium, marking the 120th meeting in the history of this heated rivalry. This victory was particularly significant as it was Vanderbilt”s first win against Tennessee since 2018. The first half was tightly contested, with both teams entering halftime tied at 21.
A key moment in the game occurred when Vanderbilt capitalized on a roughing the passer penalty against Tennessee during a failed third down attempt. This penalty allowed Vanderbilt to retain possession, leading to a touchdown that leveled the score just before halftime. The second half saw a dominant performance from Vanderbilt, which outscored Tennessee 24-3.
The Commodores displayed a potent offense and made critical defensive adjustments. They amassed a total of 314 rushing yards and 582 yards of offense throughout the game. This victory marks their second consecutive conference win by at least 21 points and sets a program record with their 10th victory, improving their season record to 10-2.
This win also gives Vanderbilt a strong case for consideration by the College Football Playoff committee, which will release its penultimate rankings on Tuesday evening. Vanderbilt entered the previous week ranked No. 14 in the playoff standings, just behind teams such as Utah, Miami, and BYU. As of now, No. 10 Alabama serves as the crucial cut line.
However, all teams ranked ahead of Vanderbilt secured victories, raising questions about how many style points the Commodores earned to potentially leapfrog other teams. Should Vanderbilt fall short of playoff selection, they will learn about their bowl game placement when matchups are announced on Sunday afternoon.
Two players from Vanderbilt received individual accolades for their performances against Tennessee. Running back Sedrick Alexander was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a career-high 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Notably, his fumble recovery in the first quarter was pivotal in continuing a Commodore drive that led to a touchdown.
Moreover, offensive lineman Jordan White earned the title of SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, achieving the highest performance grade on Pro Football Focus among all Vanderbilt players in this game. White and the offensive line were instrumental in the team”s successful offensive display.
Commenting on the game, White said, “I sit in the middle so I can see everybody down both sides. I don”t want to forget them. And I learned a long time ago that if I get excited and upset, I”ll miss out on making some adjustments on the floor.”
As the season unfolds, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea has made a compelling argument for his team”s inclusion in the College Football Playoff, emphasizing their achievements and readiness to compete at the highest level.
