Butch Jones’ family experienced the tears of both joy and sorrow all in a matter of moments.

Three years ago, Jones – in his first season as the Vols’ head coach – needed a win over the in-state rival Vanderbilt Commodores to keep the Vols’ postseason hopes alive.

All they needed was one stop.

Initially, it appeared as if the Vols stuffed quarterback Patton Robinette on a fourth-and-one sneak, but after a controversial review, the ruling was overturned.

A few moments later, Robinette maneuvered his way into the end zone for the game-winning, five-yard touchdown.

“You always remember those,” Jones said on Monday at Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio. “It’s always the losses you remember … I remember the critical plays of that game, the emotion of that game, the passion of that game. It’s something as a coach you always remember.”

Three years later, the tables have turned.

Now, it’s Vanderbilt who’s in the early stages of rebuilding after the departure of James Franklin to Penn State.

Now, it’s Vanderbilt who desperately needs a victory to lock up a bowl berth.

“Derek (Mason) has done a tremendous job of really continuing to build that football program,” Jones said. “They don’t turn the ball over offensively … they take the ball away. They’re second in the conference in red zone defense.

“It’s a great challenge going on the road.”

Tennessee had its way with the Commodores at home last season, blowing out Mason’s squad to the tune of 53-28. However, Vanderbilt has managed to remain competitive in most of its games this season, losing four games by a touchdown or less.

It all begins on the defensive side of the ball. The Commodores rank second in the NCAA in red zone defense and are led by star linebacker Zach Cunningham.

Cunningham leads the SEC in tackles with 109 and certainly has the attention of offensive coordinator Mike DeBord.

“I have a lot of respect for him,” DeBord said. “When you watch him play, he’s very talented and he’s very physical.”

While Vanderbilt’s defense is more than formidable, the Vols must patch up holes in their run defense if they hope to slow down running back Ralph Webb, who ranks fifth in the SEC in rushing yards with 1,058.

It might be too tall of a task for Tennessee, as the Vols have allowed at least 350 yards rushing in four of their past six games.

Tennessee will take on Vanderbilt in Nashville on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Criteria of Success: Jones turned heads after the Missouri game after he admitted the team wasn’t focused on the outcome of the SEC East race.

On Monday, the fourth-year head coach cleared up his statements.

“The goal every year is to win a championship,” Jones said. “This football team has a lot to play for.”

Jones is right when he says the Vols has plenty to play for. Although Florida’s victory over LSU prevented Jones’ squad the SEC East crown, a Sugar Bowl appearance is still in play for Tennessee. The Vols haven’t appeared in the Sugar Bowl since 1991, when they edged Virginia, 23-22.

In addition, Jones praised his team’s response to the disappointing result.

“The greatest illustration I can give you is our players came out and played one of their best halves of football in the second half against Missouri,” Jones said. “I’m not naïve enough to tell you that they knew what had happened…we never addressed it, but kids are kids, they know.”

Kongbo moves inside: Jonathan Kongbo’s highly-anticipated season on Rocky Top hasn’t yielded the results many had hoped for. The junior college transfer has experienced limited playing time and sent Rocky Top into a tailspin after a cryptic tweet of hung soccer cleats triggered rumors that the redshirt sophomore might transfer.

On Saturday, Kongbo finally received significant playing time, but did so in the defensive tackle slot rather than his natural position of defensive end.

The results were mostly positive, as Kongbo recorded a tackle for loss and an electrifying 59-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter.

“Jonathan is a young man who’s never played inside before…,” Jones said. “He did some really, really good things for us. I was very encouraged with the way he played … anytime you have success like that, it’s gonna build your confidence.”

Thanksgiving Adjustments: With Thanksgiving looming, Jones understands that the holiday is special to many. However, he wants to keep the routine as normal as possible.

“We want them (the players) to go and enjoy that comradery and that family environment,” Jones said. “Then, we come back and it’s a normal Friday for us.”

For the most part, the team’s schedule will remain the same up until Thursday, where Jones said the team will accelerate its schedule on that day and attempt to accomplish everything in the morning as opposed to the afternoon.