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Tennessee’s rivalry outcomes with in-state foe Vanderbilt have not been particularly kind to the Volunteers this season. And what makes the pill even tougher for Vol fans to swallow is that much of the series has taken place in Knoxville.
Vanderbilt defeated Tennessee in football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball in games that took place on Rocky Top throughout the 2025-2026 seasons. According to ESPN’s Peter Burns, it’s the first time in Vanderbilt history that the Commodores have defeated the Volunteers in all three sports during games in Knoxville in the same season.
1st time in school history at @VandyFootball, @VandyMBB & @VandyWBB all won in Knoxville. https://t.co/h2jAdW1Z5B
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) March 7, 2026
What also stands out is that each game took place in the final game of the season due to the rivalry nature of the matchup.
The first of the three wins happened when Vanderbilt defeated Tennessee Football in Knoxville back in late November. The Commodores picked up the 45-24 win and blitzed the Vols in their own building. Tennessee would then go on to lose the Music City Bowl to Illinois the next month.
The next came just a week ago when Vanderbilt defeated Kim Caldwell’s Lady Vols on Senior Day in Knoxville. The 87-77 loss was Tennessee’s sixth in a row, but was overshadowed by controversy that took place off the court after Kaiya Wynn left the program just days later.
Unlike the Lady Vols’ schedule, Tennessee’s men’s team had two matchups against the Commodores this season. The Vols took the first game in Nashville by a score of 69-65, but Vanderbilt found revenge with an 86-62 win over Tennessee on Saturday night in Knoxville to close the season.
It hasn’t been Tennessee’s most productive year against its in-state rival, but the Vols still have a chance to end the year on the right note. Vanderbilt will host Josh Elander’s Tennessee Baseball team for a three-game series from Mar. 27-29 in Nashville later this month. The game won’t be in Knoxville, but perhaps that’s for the best to close down the 2025-2026 athletics calendar.
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