LSU football meets Vanderbilt this week in a game that carries massive postseason weight. The stakes aren’t usually this high when LSU and Vandy get together, but the Commodores have found life under head coach Clark Lea.
Vanderbilt is 5-1 and ranked No. 18 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. Vandy’s lone loss came to No. 6-ranked Alabama. That means Vanderbilt is firmly in the playoff race.
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Vanderbilt put the college football world on notice in 2024 when the Dores upset Alabama in Nashville. QB Diego Pavia earned a reputation as a punchy underdog who delivers in big games. Vanderbilt was bowl eligible and capped off 2024 by beating Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl.
Lea continued building and this Vanderbilt team is a better version of the group LSU beat last year. So much so that Vanderbilt is the betting favorite. Vanderbilt isn’t used to being the favorite vs. one of the SEC’s traditional powers. We’ll see how the Commodores handle their new status on Saturday.
But first, here are five things LSU football fans should know about the Vanderbilt Commodores.
1. Vanderbilt’s offense can score points
Pavia and the Vandy offense rank No. 10 in ESPN’s SP+. This is one of the top offenses in the country, and it’s the best LSU has faced this year.
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Vandy scored 30+ points in four of five games. The only contest where it didn’t reach that mark was the Alabama game. But Bama wasn’t Vanderbilt’s only test — the Commodores managed to score 31 points vs. a good South Carolina defense.
Vanderbilt ranks No. 3 nationally in yards per play and No. 4 in points per game. This offense can put up big numbers. LSU’s defense is much improved, too, but Blake Baker’s group will be tested this Saturday.
2. QB Diego Pavia is the spark
QB Diego Pavia is the heart and soul of this offense — and really, the entire team. We know what Pavia brings from an intangibles standpoint, but the on-field production is near elite this year.
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Pavia is averaging 8.8 yards per attempt, over an entire yard better than his 2024 mark. With an 84.4 PFF grade, he’s the third-best graded passer in the SEC. His 71.4 completion rate sits No. 2 in the SEC, only trailing Missouri’s Beau Pribula.
But it’s what Pavia can do in the run game that keeps defenses worried. Pavia averages 6.4 yards per attempt and has totaled 373 rushing yards (sack adjusted).
Here’s what Brian Kelly said about LSU’s plan to defend Pavia:
“Make him one-dimensional. I think that those dual-threat quarterbacks, if they can do both, you’re in trouble. So we’ve got to really do a great job in the running game.”
3. The defense can stop the run
According to GameOnPaper, Vanderbilt’s defense ranks No. 13 nationally in EPA/run allowed.
It starts with linebacker Langston Patterson — a veteran with over 1,000 career snaps. Vanderbilt is transfer-heavy, but Patterson began his career in Nashville and is in year four with the program. He’s made 13 stops and earned a 90.6 PFF grade against the run.
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Up front, Missouri State transfer Jaylon Stone has proven to be a valuable addition. Stone doesn’t start, but he’s one of the best run defenders in the SEC as a rotational piece.
LSU has a potential matchup problem vs. Vandy defensive end Miles Capers. Capers is one of the best edge setters in the SEC and LSU’s tackles have struggled with run blocking. The Tigers’ run game showed progress vs. South Carolina, but the unit has its work cut out for it in Week 8. LSU can’t afford to let Capers wreck the run game.
4. Vanderbilt has some liabilities defending the pass
Vanderbilt’s pass defense lacks consistency. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier and the Tigers should have chances to move the ball through the air. Vanderbilt ranks No. 111 in EPA/pass allowed and No. 90 in passing success rate allowed.
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Vandy was diced up by Alabama’s Ty Simpson, which is understandable. But lesser offenses have found success throwing the ball vs. this defense. Utah State and Georgia State both moved the ball through the air.
LSU’s pass game is far from perfect, but if Utah State and Georgia State can be efficient vs. this defense, LSU should have the same luck.
Cornerback Kolbey Taylor is having a productive year, but the rest of Vandy’s secondary struggled.
5. Does Vanderbilt have playmakers on offense?
LSU’s defense is talented across the board. Pavia is good, but he’ll need his supporting cast to produce, too.
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The passing game moves through tight end Eli Stowers, who leads Vandy with 323 receiving yards. Stowers was not much of a factor vs. Bama, though, catching three of seven targets for 22 yards.
Vanderbilt doesn’t throw the ball down the field much, but when it does, Tre Richardson is the main target. He’s caught three deep balls this year.
Pavia leads the rushing attack, but running back Sedrick Alexander is also productive with 49 carries for 318 yards.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Five things LSU football fans should know about the Vanderbilt
