Vanderbilt Notes; Week 2 Predictions

VANDERBILT NOTES

Vanderbilt had a surprising offensive output in Week 1 by putting up 45 points and 620 total yards against Western Carolina.  While Western Carolina is a poor team, that is an impressive performance regardless. Quarterback Larry Smith led the way for the Commodores, and he's a guy that could give LSU some problems on Saturday night.   Smith has a strong arm and is very mobile.  He's not always entirely accurate, but he managed to go a respectable 10 of 18 in Week 1. 

On offense, Vandy likes to spread things out and they like to run the ball from those formations.  They run the zone-read play quite a bit and are pretty effective at doing so.  But like LSU, Vandy is not afraid to line up in the I-formation and pound the ball when they need to.  Vanderbilt had a pair of freshman running backs who rushed for over 100 yards in Week 1.  Expect to hear Zac Stacy and Warren Norman's name called quite a bit Saturday.  The Dores don't have any receiving threats that will scare you, but their athletes on the edges are good enough to get open on some underneath routes and keep the chains moving.  I suspect Vanderbilt will try to do a lot of things in the passing game similar to what Washington did last week.  We'll see lots of underneath routes and screens, and we may see their quarterback run the ball a little more. 

Vanderbilt always has a tough defense, and this year is no exception.  They shut out Western Carolina and allowed just 115 total yards.  They have solid players at both linebacker and in the secondary.  Cornerback Myron Lewis and linebacker Patrick Benoist are both very good and are candidates to come up with big plays. 

From LSU, I'm expecting to see a different team than we saw a week ago.  I'm expecting the defense to be improved but to still have some problems but I think we'll see an entirely different offense.  I really believe that the coaching staff was holding things back a bit against Washington and that we'll see some more creativity this week.   I also think we'll see Russell Shepard get into the mix and get involved in a few plays.   If Jordan Jefferson continues to be poised and play mistake-free football, then LSU should win this game.   The game may still be in doubt in the fourth quarter, but LSU will win in the end. 

LSU  27
Vanderbilt 17
Line:  LSU -14.5


WEEK 2 PREDICTIONS

Last Week:
9-1 Overall
3-4 ATS

Georgia 20
South Carolina 17
Line:  Georgia -7

Florida  45
Troy 14
Line:  Florida -37

Tennessee 31
UCLA 17
Line:  Tennessee -10

Alabama  42
Florida International  3
Line:  Alabama -33.5

Mississippi State  13
Auburn  31
Line:  Auburn -14