Vanderbilt vs. Western Kentucky Prediction, Game Preview
Vanderbilt vs. Western Kentucky prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Commodores and Hilltoppers.
Vanderbilt vs. Western Kentucky prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Commodores and Hilltoppers.
Vanderbilt vs. Western Kentucky Game Preview
When: Saturday, September 24 – 4:30 p.m. ET
Where: L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, KY
TV Broadcast: CBSSN
Vanderbilt is struggling, and head coach Derek Mason is very much on the hot seat after a 38-7 shellacking at the hands of Georgia Tech this past Saturday. The offense is nowhere to be seen, gaining only 275 yards against the Yellow Jackets. Lose this game and a change could be on the way in Nashville.
For Western Kentucky, it is all about airing the ball out with quarterback Mike White. He is averaging more than 300 yards per game through the air. He could have a big game against the Commodores who have given up 269.3 passing yards per game.
What To Know About Vanderbilt
Can the offense do anything to light a fire in this team? Vanderbilt is 105th in the nation in scoring offense (21.3 ppg), and that is with a 47-point effort against Middle Tennessee. Quarterback Kyle Shurmur has been mediocre at best, and too much of the game plan is falling on the shoulders of running back Ralph Webb.
The defense has to focus on stopping the passing attack of the Hilltoppers. Linebacker Zach Cunningham has been excellent this season, with 29 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for a loss.
What to Know About Western Kentucky
The passing assault got shut down two weeks ago by Alabama. Can it happen again against another SEC defense? White has two targets at wide receiver, Nicholas Norris and Taywan Taylor, that have been outstanding this season. The running game could use a little boost, with Quinton Baker leading the attack with only 152 yards on the season.
Stopping Webb is the way to shut down the Vanderbilt offense. Linebacker T.J. McCollum leads a unit that will look for a way to make the Commodores beat them with the passing game.
Advantages
Offense: Western Kentucky. The duo of Norris and Taylor is explosive.
Defense: Vanderbilt. Cunningham is one of the best linebackers in college football.
Special Teams: Tie. Neither team has missed an extra point while also not being spectacular at field goals.
Coaching: Western Kentucky. Jeff Brohm is one of the next big hires for some team.
Intangibles: Western Kentucky. A home game against an SEC opponent doesn’t come often in Bowling Green.
Matchup To Watch
Nicholas Norris/Taywan Taylor vs. Vanderbilt secondary
If these two get rolling, it could be a long night for the Commodores’ secondary players.
Vanderbilt vs. Western Kentucky Betting Odds
Spread: Western Kentucky -7.5
Over/Under: N/A
Vanderbilt vs. Western Kentucky Prediction
An SEC program is coming to Bowling Green, and the Hilltoppers success is the reason why. This is a tough game for Derek Mason and company, as Western Kentucky can light up the scoreboard. The crowd will be amped, that big red blob they call a mascot will probably scare some of the Commodores, and Jeff Brohm will get a big win to put on his resume. Western Kentucky comes through with a victory.
Vanderbilt vs. Western Kentucky Score Prediction: Western Kentucky 35, Vanderbilt 21
