Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt today: kickoff time, where to watch, Diego Pavia storyline, and a late-week Vols health check

Rivalry Saturday brings the Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt showdown to Knoxville this afternoon with postseason stakes for both programs and plenty of subplots. The question fans are asking most—what channel is the Tennessee game on today—comes with a simple answer: it’s in a national broadcast TV window at 3:30 p.m. ET from Neyland Stadium, with a simultaneous official streaming option in the network’s app for authenticated subscribers. Cord-cutters can also watch via major live-TV streaming bundles that carry national college football channels; local blackout rules may apply.

Kickoff, times, and how to watch Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025

• Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT / 12:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. GMT)

• TV: National broadcast window (check your listings)

• Streaming: Official network/app authentication; also available on most live-TV streaming bundles that include national college football coverage

Tips to avoid gametime hiccups

• Log in to the app 10–15 minutes early to clear any re-authentication delays.

• If you’re using an antenna, re-scan channels this morning and position near a window facing your local transmitter.

• Set your DVR to start five minutes early and run 60 minutes long—rivalry reviews and ceremonies can push beyond three hours.

Storylines: Diego Pavia’s stage, and a chance to script history

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia enters with dual-threat credibility and late-season momentum, the engine of an offense that stresses edges with designed QB keepers, play-action crossers, and off-schedule creation. The Commodores’ best stretches arrive when Pavia gets early rhythm throws, then punishes soft edges with quarterback run tags on short yardage. Expect Vanderbilt to marry tempo with motion to manufacture leverage and test Tennessee’s eye discipline.

For Tennessee, the identity remains explosiveness layered on pace. Shot plays off play-action and formation variety are the calling cards, but the hidden driver is efficiency on early downs—when the Vols live in second-and-short, the route tree opens and protections settle. Special teams have provided field-position swings all month; flipping a possession or two with returns or pin-backs could be decisive.

Vols health check: DeSean Bishop and trench updates

Running back DeSean Bishop has trended positively late in the month after a midseason lower-body issue, and the game plan points to him as a featured piece in Tennessee’s early-down script. Keep an eye on the offensive front rotation; any in-game shuffling at guard or tackle will influence how often the Vols call gap schemes versus their zone staples. If Tennessee stays healthy up front, the interior run game becomes a lever to slow Vanderbilt’s edge pressure and set up the deep over routes that have hammered single-high looks.

Matchup keys that will decide Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt

1. QB containment vs. explosives: Vanderbilt’s offense hums when Pavia escapes first contact and turns broken plays into chain-movers. Tennessee’s answer is lane-disciplined rush with a spy on long yardage. Flip side: if the Vols hit two or more explosives (30+ yards), Neyland’s momentum snowballs.

2. First-down success rate: The winner likely posts 50%+ on first-down success. For Tennessee, that’s Bishop downhill and quick game to loosen safeties. For Vanderbilt, it’s perimeter access throws and option tags that stress the overhang defender.

3. Red-zone efficiency: Field goals won’t cut it. Tennessee’s bunch/stack switch releases vs. Vanderbilt’s red-zone pattern-match rules are a premium chess match.

4. Hidden yards: Punt coverage, kickoff choices, and fourth-down management loom larger in rivalry settings—expect one specialty play to swing win probability.

Where to watch: quick guide for every setup

• Cable/satellite: Tune to the national college football broadcast channel in your lineup; most providers flag it as “College Football: Vanderbilt at Tennessee.”

• Streaming (authenticated): Open the network’s official app or website, sign in with your TV provider, and select the live game feed.

• Streaming (cord-cutting bundles): Services that include national sports channels will list the game on the live guide; confirm local availability/blackouts.

• Radio/audio: Team and local radio partners carry full audio if you’re on the move; most team apps provide a synced audio stream.

Prediction: Vols edge a track-meet tilt at Neyland

Both teams can score in bunches, but Tennessee’s combination of pace, explosives, and home-field rhythm is a tough cocktail over four quarters—Vols by one score in a game that lives in the 60s. The swing factors: Bishop’s early-down efficiency, a field-position win on special teams, and one late third-down stop against a Pavia scramble drill.

Projected score: Tennessee 34, Vanderbilt 27

Final notes before kickoff

• Weather watch: Cool and crisp, light breeze—clean kicking conditions and firm footing favor the passing game.

• Inactives and dress list: Expect final confirmations about an hour before kickoff; late scratches at corner or along either line will immediately tweak game plans.

• Budget extra exit time: Senior Day ceremonies and rivalry traffic will lengthen postgame departures around campus.

Whether you’re in the stadium or on the couch, the Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt window lands at 3:30 p.m. ET. Get set early—you don’t want to miss the first deep shot or the first Pavia keeper that lights up this rivalry.