Vanderbilt @ Tennessee preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 20, 2010 ) Tennessee 24, Vanderbilt 10

THE STORY: Tennessee hopes to have sophomore quarterback Tyler Bray back under center after missing five games with a broken right thumb. And the Volunteers might need him to avoid their second loss to in-state rival Vanderbilt since 1983. Bray was having an outstanding season before the injury with 1,579 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions, but Tennessee has struggled with senior Matt Simms and freshman Justin Worley. The Volunteers have won five straight and 27 of 28 in the series - Vanderbilt's won in 2005 - but the Commodores enter as slight favorites. Tennessee leads the series 72-27-5. Vanderbilt can become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2008 with a win.

TV: ESPNU, ESPN 3D. LINE: Vanderbilt -1.5.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (5-5, 2-5 SEC East): Unlike the Volunteers, the Commodores have benefited from their midseason quarterback change. Junior Jordan Rodgers has sparked the offense in four starts, passing for six touchdowns and rushing for four. After back-to-back losses to Arkansas and Kentucky by a combined eight points, the Commodores blasted Kentucky 38-8 last week as running back Zac Stacy rushed for 135 yards and three touchdowns.

ABOUT TENNESSEE (4-6, 0-6): The Volunteers have played 21 freshmen, third most in the nation, and it has shown in conference play. Speaking of freshmen, Worley has struggled in three games as the starter, throwing only one touchdown pass and three interceptions. Tennessee got a reprieve from the SEC grind two weeks ago and snapped a four-game losing streak with a 24-0 win over Middle Tennessee State, but it crashed back to reality last week in a 49-7 loss at Arkansas.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Tennessee has won nine consecutive November home games against SEC opponents. The Volunteers' last home loss to a conference foe in November was the 28-24 setback to Vanderbilt in 2005.

2. Stacy needs 109 rushing yards to become Vanderbilt's first 1,000-yard runner since Jermaine Johnson in 1995. Corey Harris holds the school's single-season record with 1,103 yards in 1991.

3. Tennessee's 72 victories against Vanderbilt are its second most against any school (Kentucky 74).

PREDICTION: Tennessee 23, Vanderbilt 20 - If Bray plays, the Volunteers will continue their dominance over the Commodores. If he can't go, Vandy will have the edge.