UT Vols interim coach Brady Hoke holds a press conference to discuss the 30-10 loss to LSU and look ahead to Vanderbilt. Phil Kaplan/News Sentinel
Brady Hoke said Tennessee's game this week against Vanderbilt will be a chance for the Vols to continue to show their "competitive spirit."
He described the season finale against the Commodores as "rivalry week."
More: For UT Vols, even Vanderbilt has become their nemesis
Regardless of what happens Saturday, Tennessee won't have a chance to play in the postseason. The Vols' bowl hopes were eliminated with Saturday's 30-10 loss to LSU.
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1 of 118![LSU quarterback Danny Etling (16) celebrates the win]()
2 of 118![LSU safety Grant Delpit (9) interferes with Tennessee]()
3 of 118![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) speaks with a]()
4 of 118![LSU running back Derrius Guice (5) leaps over players]()
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6 of 118![LSU running back Derrius Guice (5) runs the ball while]()
7 of 118![LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron looks up to the scoreboard]()
8 of 118![Tennessee defensive back Shaq Wiggins (6) dances to]()
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15 of 118![LSU quarterback Danny Etling (16) runs the ball past]()
16 of 118![LSU running back Derrius Guice (5) is tackled by Tennessee]()
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18 of 118![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) pushes away an]()
19 of 118![LSU fullback J.D. Moore (18) and LSU running back Derrius]()
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23 of 118![Tennessee running back Tim Jordan (9) fumbles the return]()
24 of 118![during a game between Tennessee and LSU at Neyland]()
25 of 118![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) talks]()
26 of 118![LSU running back Derrius Guice (5) leaps over Tennessee]()
27 of 118![Tennessee Interim Head Coach Brady Hoke checks on an]()
28 of 118![Tennessee wide receiver Jeff George (19)runs the ball]()
29 of 118![LSU running back Derrius Guice (5) runs the ball during]()
30 of 118![LSU running back Derrius Guice (5) tries to break through]()
31 of 118![Chris Blue performs during a game between Tennessee]()
32 of 118![LSU running back Derrius Guice (5) runs the ball during]()
33 of 118![LSU running back Derrius Guice (5) runs the ball during]()
34 of 118![Chris Blue performs during a game between Tennessee]()
35 of 118![Chris Blue performs during a game between Tennessee]()
36 of 118![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) looks]()
37 of 118![LSU wide receiver Justin Jones (31) and LSU wide receiver]()
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40 of 118![Tennessee defensive back Emmanuel Moseley (12) walks]()
41 of 118![during a game between Tennessee and LSU at Neyland]()
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46 of 118![Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) runs towards]()
47 of 118![Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) runs towards]()
48 of 118![during a game between Tennessee and LSU at Neyland]()
49 of 118![during a game between Tennessee and LSU at Neyland]()
50 of 118![LSU line backer Michael Divinity Jr. (45) grabs a fumbled]()
51 of 118![Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) walks]()
52 of 118![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) misses a pass]()
53 of 118![Tennessee defensive back Nigel Warrior (18) walks on]()
54 of 118![Tennessee defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo (1) and]()
55 of 118![Tennessee defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo (1) celebrates]()
56 of 118![LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron during a game between Tennessee]()
57 of 118![Tennessee's Malik Elion (34) escapes a tackle by LSU]()
58 of 118![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) misses a catch]()
59 of 118![Tennessee defensive lineman Darrell Taylor (19) chases]()
60 of 118![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) lines]()
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65 of 118![Tennessee wide receiver Brandon Johnson (7) jumps past]()
66 of 118![LSU wide receiver Louis Landrum (29) reacts after a]()
67 of 118![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) is taken]()
68 of 118![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) looks for a way]()
69 of 118![Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (3) runs the ball]()
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71 of 118![Tennessee defensive lineman Darrell Taylor (19) celebrates]()
72 of 118![LSU quarterback Danny Etling (16) is tackled by LSU]()
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94 of 118![LSU offensive lineman Mylik McWilliams (40) celebrates]()
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110 of 118![Tennessee place kicker Aaron Medley (25) warms up]()
111 of 118![Tennessee Head Coach Butch Jones walks on the field]()
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“I think this team will go out there and have a great week of practice, and this team will go out on Saturday and play for Tennessee and play for our seniors," Hoke, the Vols' interim coach, said Monday.
Hoke compares players' effort to an armadillo
The Vols (4-7, 0-7 SEC) will finish the season Saturday (4 p.m. ET, SEC Network) against the Commodores (4-7, 0-7) in a matchup featuring the only teams without an SEC victory this season.
"We have the state rivalry game," Hoke said. "Everything counts in games that are of this magnitude."
Tennessee defensive tackle Kendal Vickers talks senior day Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
During an appearance later in the day at the Knoxville Quarterback Club, Hoke used a metaphor to describe the Vols' effort against LSU.
“We’ve talked about being a baby rabbit or an armadillo," Hoke said. "You can either be tough and hard, or you can be soft. The one thing we didn’t want to be is soft. For the most part, during the course of (Saturday’s) game, those kids played like armadillos.”
Saturday’s game will be senior day at Neyland Stadium.
"(The team's effort) does go unnoticed when you're not winning, but we know that we've given great effort," senior cornerback Emmanuel Moseley said. "Things just haven't fallen our way. We're going to continue to do that, and hopefully next week, it does."
What about injuries?
Tennessee was down to four available scholarship linemen, all of whom are freshmen, during the second half against LSU after Jashon Robertson exited with injury.
Hoke didn't update the status of Robertson or fellow starting linemen Brett Kendrick and Drew Richmond, who have been sidelined with injuries the past three games.
He did say that quarterback Will McBride will be available against Vanderbilt. McBride did not dress against LSU because of concussion protocol.
More: UT Vols left to play for bragging rights vs. Vanderbilt
“Will will be available," Hoke said. "It was just best that we didn’t last week. Health and wellness is a big part of the game, so we wanted to make sure that he is OK and in a good spot."
Blake Toppmeyer and Mike Wilson recap Tennessee's 30-10 loss to LSU. Dan Fleser/News Sentinel
Running back Ty Chandler exited Saturday after taking a hit to the head on a first-quarter kick return.
"Those situations are always ones that you really have to be aware of," Hoke said at the quarterback club. "We'll do a great job, and our (doctors) will do a great job, and we'll see."
McBride's return gives Tennessee two available scholarship QBs. McBride took every snap against Missouri on Nov. 11.
Jarrett Guarantano still is recovering from a right ankle injury that sidelined him against Missouri, but he took every snap against LSU.
Tennessee senior tight end Ethan Wolf previews facing Vanderbilt Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
Guarantano's mobility was clearly limited Saturday, but he completed 13 of 23 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown.
"I love his toughness," Hoke said.
It was the fifth start for Guarantano, a redshirt freshman who took the reins from Quinten Dormady after five games. Dormady has since undergone season-ending shoulder surgery.
The Vols still remain winless in the SEC as LSU defeats them 30-10. Wochit
Tennessee interim head coach Brady Hoke talks after the Vols lost 30-10 to LSU Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
Tennessee linebacker Colton Jumper describes the experience of playing in bad weather conditions Saturday, when the Vols lost 30-10 to LSU. Blake Toppmeyer/News Sentinel
Former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer talked about the 1997 SEC title team on Friday Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
Tennessee defensive end Kyle Phillips talks Butch Jones' firing, interim coach Brady Hoke Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
Tennessee tight end Ethan Wolf talks Butch Jones' firing and Brady Hoke as interim coach Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
Tennessee kicker Aaron Medley talks Butch Jones' firing, Brady Hoke as interim coach Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
Tennessee punter Trevor Daniel talks about the aftermath of Coach Butch Jones' firing Dan Fleser
Brady Hoke gives his first press conference after he was appointed by athletic director John Currie as the Vols' interim coach on Sunday after Tennessee fired Butch Jones. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel
The Vols still remain winless in the SEC
Brady Hoke: Disappointed for Vols seniors after loss to LSU
Colton Jumper: 'It was a monsoon out there'
Phil Flumer: 1997 Vols team set stage for 1998 national title
Kyle Phillips: Season has been disappointing for Vols
Ethan Wolf: Hard to describe Sunday, Butch Jones' firing
Aaron Medley: Sunday was 'weird' day for Vols
"Trying to move forward"
Brady Hoke: We are going to coach our hearts out