Tennessee football vs. Vanderbilt: Scouting report, score prediction

Tennessee football is closing its first regular season under Josh Heupel on Saturday with a bowl berth already secured.

The Vols (6-5, 3-4 SEC) play Vanderbilt (2-9, 0-7) on Saturday (3:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network). UT secured a bowl bid with a 60-14 win against South Alabama on Nov. 17. 

Here is what to know about the matchup with Vanderbilt:

Is this Hendon Hooker's final game at Neyland Stadium?

Hendon Hooker could play his final game at Neyland Stadium on Saturday. The Vols quarterback also could return. He has one year of eligibility remaining after the NCAA granted a free year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hooker, a Virginia Tech graduate transfer, ranks No. 4 in FBS in passer rating with 24 touchdown passes and three interceptions.

DECISIONS:Which Tennessee football seniors with eligibility remaining will return in 2022?

Hooker turns 24 in January and could choose to enter the NFL Draft. Hooker said in late October he hadn't thought about his future.

Will Josh Heupel buck trend against Vanderbilt?

It has been 11 years since a first-year Vols coach beat Vanderbilt. Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt lost their first clash with the Commodores. Jones lost 14-10 in 2013 and Pruitt lost 42-24 in 2017.

Heupel appears primed to break that streak, which dates back to Derek Dooley's 24-10 win in 2010.

Velus Jones Jr. is a weapon

Velus Jones Jr. had his breakout game as a Vol against Vanderbilt in 2020. He caught seven passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He carried it into a big-time senior season after returning to Tennessee.

Jones has caught 50 passes for 700 yards and six touchdowns. He has three 100-yard receiving games in his past six.

Jones, who transferred from Southern Cal prior to the 2020 season, also has more than 500 kickoff return yards and 200 punt return yards. He returned a kickoff for a 96-yard touchdown against South Alabama.

Pass as you please, Tennessee

Vanderbilt ranks at the bottom of the SEC in a number of categories, including pass defense. 

Tennessee should have no issue throwing the ball on the Commodores, who allow 274.3 passing yards per game. The Vols are passing for 255.3 per game, a figure that has increased in November.

UT is averaging 319.7 yards per game and has thrown for at least 300 yards in each of its three November games.

And keep taking care of the ball

Vanderbilt ranks second in the SEC in interceptions with 13, trailing only South Carolina, which has 14. The Commodores have at least one interception in eight straight games. 

Tennessee has thrown three interceptions, one of the best figures in the nation. Two teams have thrown two to top the nation, while the Vols are one of 10 teams to have three.

Score prediction 

Tennessee 56, Vanderbilt 10: Tennessee played three quarterbacks on Nov. 20 against South Alabama. The Vols might do it against Vanderbilt as well. Heupel's first season at Tennessee caps with a blowout to move up into a better bowl as a 7-win team. 

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.