Vanderbilt football returns off an open date to face LSU on Oct. 18 at FirstBank Stadium.
The Commodores (5-1, 1-1 SEC) lost at Alabama two weeks ago but still have it all to play for, and a win against the Tigers would re-ignite a run to the CFP.
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LSU (5-1, 2-1) won 20-10 against South Carolina last week in a mistake-filled game on both sides.
Here’s how the Tennessean’s experts pick Vandy-LSU:
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Aria Gerson, Vanderbilt beat reporter: Vanderbilt 24, LSU 14
The fact that the Commodores will be at home should play in their favor. But a big key to being able to score enough against the Tigers’ defense will be avoiding turnovers, especially the type of back-breaking, red-zone turnovers Vanderbilt had against Alabama.
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Gentry Estes, columnist: Vanderbilt 22, LSU 21
If Vandy is a true playoff contender, it wins a game like this at home with the benefit of a bye week. Won’t be easy, though.
Tom Kreager, sports director: Vanderbilt 31, LSU 28
Diego Pavia is just better than Garrett Nussmeier in a battle between two of the better SEC quarterbacks. The win boosts the Commodores’ hopes in a potential CFP berth.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt football vs LSU picks, predictions
