Previewing Auburn's September 26th homegame against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Auburn versus Vanderbilt Prediction and Preview
Game: September 26th
Time: 3:15pm central
Network: ESPN
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL
Vanderbilt vs Auburn Early Preview
Auburn will be the favorite at home this week as they host the undefeated Vanderbilt Commodores. The Tigers look to respond to a 5 point setback vs the Gators that saw the defense on the field for nearly 40 minutes of game time. Vandy is out for validation after a miraculous win against NC State last weekend. Saturday will be their first SEC game of the season. Both teams will play ranked SEC matches the following Saturday, so this is a huge opportunity for both teams to gain some momentum and a chance for Auburn to clean up some glaring issues with pass protection.
Clark Lea's squad is riding high after a baffling ending to the NC State game last weekend. The game was gifted to them when NC State fumbled in their own end zone in the last seconds of the game. They come to Auburn undefeated and unchallenged. Jared Curtis is a talented freshman QB, but so far he has been turnover prone, and has yet to see an SEC defense. Byrum Brown has seen plenty and proven he can lead during adverse times. At quarterback, Auburn has the advantage.
Auburn's offense has not had trouble moving the ball down the field, but yards don't equal points. Auburn's redzone miscues crippled any shot of winning the Florida game. Alex Golesh has the offense fairly balanced- being capable of moving the ball through the air and on the ground. Vanderbilt is not so balanced. They have one focal point and that is Junior Sherrill. He is a playmaker and a future superstar. Auburn will have to keep tabs on him to stop a Vanderbilt offense that doesn't really have anything else to hang it's hat on. The RB Sedrick Alexander is a solid player, but not very explosive at all. Auburn has the advantage on offense if the line can protect Byrum this week.
The Florida game exposed run-fit issues and fatigue — mainly caused by time of possession. The starters on defense for the Tigers are phenomenal, and have been consistent all season. The problem is when backup players need to be subbed in for tired starters. Vanderbilt's defense is statistically good, but self inflicted mistakes, penalties, and a lack of forcing turnovers have plagued the Anchor... folks? (not sure what Vandy people refer to themselves as). The secondary is not fast enough to cover Auburn's best receivers. The speed at wide receiver for Auburn is a huge mismatch that Auburn can exploit for explosive plays.
The question remains for Auburn: Will they clean up mistakes and sustain drives long enough to keep our defense from crumbling late in close games?
I think Auburn's offensive line is up for the challenge this week and protects Byrum Brown well enough to sustain drives and control the tempo. I think a slow start keeps the game close until half time. Auburn will pull away in the 2nd half. 34-20 Tigers.
- Thomas Porter