After a hugely disappointing start to the season, Vanderbilt gets a relative layup before an impossible run of five road games in the next six dates. The Commodores botched the opener against WKU, and got rolled by Georgia – both home games – and now this might be the one moment to go into a happy place before going to Ole Miss. Check out the Vanderbilt vs. Austin Peay preview and prediction.

Vanderbilt vs. Austin Peay Preview & Prediction

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 19
Game Time: 4:00 pm
Venue: Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Network: SEC Network

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Why You Need To Care

Is there anything positive about the Vanderbilt start? 0-2 is 0-2, but the team is far better now than it was last year, and it’s still going to be a work in progress. It’s not like the team can’t hang with Middle Tennessee, South Carolina, Houston or Florida, but those are road games – Vandy can’t take anything for granted. Beating up a bad Austin Peay team should be like a nice practice.

The Governors got pasted by Southern Miss 52-6 last week to start out the year losing both games by a combined score of 80-13. Going 1-25 over the last two-plus seasons, this is the exact type of team the Commodores need to face right now.

Why Austin Peay Will Win

Vanderbilt can’t score. It’ll be a different type of game against the Governor defense, but the Commodores aren’t getting anything out of their passing game – again – and they’re struggling to just move the chains. Most of all, they’re more than happy to keep the other team in the game, giving up three turnovers in the first two games and going a -5 overall. Austin Peay will gladly take the help.

Why Vanderbilt Will Win

Vandy can’t score, but Austin Peay really can’t score. The Governors have come up with just 13 points in two games, mostly because the drives keep stalling. The offense is moving a bit, and there’s a decent enough passing game at times to not be miserable, but nothing is happening, especially inside the red zone when the chances are there. It’s early, but Vanderbilt is 20th in the nation in red zone defense. It has that going its way.

Player Who Matters

Ralph Webb is trying his best. The sophomore running back isn’t getting a whole bunch of room to move, but he’s trying to make things happen with just 138 yards and a 3.2-yard average in the first two games. He also leads the way with ten catches for 84 yards as the offense is trying to get him in a position to make things happen. Vandy knows he can play – the less he’s used in this game, the better. He needs to be fresh.

What’s Going To Happen?

The Commodores will get to do whatever they want to. This is truly a game to try to improve the passing game, work on the things the coaching staff needs, and just enjoy an easy win.

Vanderbilt vs. Austin Peay Score Prediction

Final Score: Vanderbilt 50, Austin Peay 7, Line: No Line, o/u: No Line

Must See Rating: 5: Republican Debate, Second Round – 1: Republican Debate, First Round … 1

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