Yes, the Vanderbilt Commodores are the worst team in the SEC, but they are coming off a bye, and they always give Tennessee Football trouble. Josh Heupel’s team may have quit on the season as well with these last two losses, so this game could be dangerous. For UT to avoid any letdown, these are the five Vandy players they need to key in on .
5. London Humphreys, WR
Weapons in the passing game will be the key for Vanderbilt to somehow upset the Vols on Saturday. London Humphreys is second on the team in receiving with 19 catches for 413 yards and four touchdowns, but he has come on strong as of late. A true freshman, the bye may have been at a perfect time for him to take that next step.
4. Jayden McGowan, WR
We’re sticking with receivers, largely because of the issues Tennessee Football has on defense. The Vols’ biggest vulnerability is utility players, and that’s exactly what Jayden McGowan is, as he lines up at running back too. McGowan has 383 yards receiving and 104 yards rushing, and while he doesn’t have any touchdowns, he can still rack up a lot of yards.
3. Nate Clifton, DE
Vandy has absolutely no defense. If the ‘Dores are to slow down the Vols, though, their best best is with a pass rush, especially given the injury to C.J. Taylor, their superstar defensive back and best all-aroud defensive player. Nate Clifton can help with a pass rush, as he has five and a half sacks and seven and a half tackles for a loss on the year.
2. Langston Patterson, LB
While Clifton will be the playmaker up front if Vandy is to have any chance in this game, Langston Patterson is that defensive anchor who will be in on every play, particularly with Taylor out and the team’s horrible secondary. Patterson has eight tackles for a loss and 66 total tackles, 34 of which were solo, so he’s a major force on this defense.
1. Will Sheppard, WR
Going back to receiver, Vandy’s go-to option, Will Sheppard, will be their best chance to upset Tennessee Football, especially with Kamal Hadden out. We don’t know if A.J. Swann or Ken Seals will start at quarterback Saturday, but we know they’ll want to target Sheppard, who has 45 catches for 640 yards and eight touchdowns on the year.
