By: NATE DEVILLE
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The final week of the 2025 regular season has arrived, as No. 18 Tennessee welcomes No. 12 Vanderbilt to Rocky Top for Rivalry Weekend.
The Vols (8-3, 4-3 in Southeastern Conference) will have their hands full on Saturday, when they clash with the over-achieving Commodores (9-2, 5-2 in SEC) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (ESPN) inside Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee has an overall positive record of 81-32 against Vanderbilt, with five additional games ending in ties.
This century there has been little doubt from college football fans and most Tennesseans about which team reigns supreme in the Tri-Star state.
The Vols have dominated the Nashville-based Commodores, winning the previous six, and 14 of their last 20 matchups.
This year, however, things feel different. Vandy is higher in the Associated Press’ rankings and is led to battle by star Heisman hopeful quarterback Diego Pavia.
In his second season with the Commodores, Pavia has looked incredible. Boasting an SEC-best 26 touchdowns with 2,924 passing yards (3rd in SEC) the senior has officially put Vanderbilt football back on the map.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) stiff arms a Kentucky defensive back during a game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (ANDREW NELLES/Imagn Images)“He certainly has the ability to use his feet and make plays,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said of Pavia. “He's throwing it extremely well.”
In addition to his dominance through the air this season, the Commodores’ signal-caller can also hurt teams in the run game.
Pavia has carried the ball for 661 yards this season with 8 rushing touchdowns.
“His ability to be a part of the run game as well is a huge part of what they do offensively,” Heupel said. “He’s got the ability to escape and make plays. We got to do a great job of not letting him outside of the pocket.”
Prior to the game on Saturday, many Vols will be honored in the team's Senior Day festivities.
Several of the seniors, from the recruiting class of 2022, have been key in coach Heupel's historic rebuild of Tennessee's program.
“I can't say enough how much I appreciate them,” Heupel said of his seniors. “That group has played at a really high level. There’s been some Saturdays where we've been disappointed… but the consistency and growth of this program is a direct reflection of those guys that came in, in that 2022 class.”