NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt begins the second half of the 2019 season at 3 p.m. Saturday when it welcomes SEC East Division rival Missouri to Vanderbilt Stadium for its annual homecoming game.
The Commodores (1-5, 0-3 SEC) are coming off back-to-back losses at Ole Miss and UNLV, respectively. The Tigers of Missouri (5-1, 2-0 SEC) come in riding a five-game winning streak.
Here is how to tune in to Saturday’s contest as well as five key matchups to watch at Vanderbilt Stadium:
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
Location: Vanderbilt Stadium
Television: SEC Network
Broadcast Crew: David Neal (play-by-play), DJ Shockley (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline)
Streaming: Available via the WatchESPN app
Radio: Vanderbilt radio network WLAC AM 1510 Nashville; SiriusXM 190 (Vanderbilt feed)
Weather: 73 degrees at kickoff, sunny, 20 percent chance of rain
1. Putting up Points
Vanderbilt’s offense has struggled to score this season. That’s a concern Saturday when the Commodores go up against one of the nation’s better defenses.
Missouri is giving up just 15.8 points per game (Vandy is scoring just 18 per contest) and during its five-game winning streak that average drops to 11.6 points/game. The Tigers also rank among the top 10 nationally in defensive touchdowns, first downs allowed, passing yards allowed, red zone defense, passing efficiency defense and total defense.
Vandy will likely have to scratch and claw for any points it can muster and by no means can it waste red zone opportunities.
2. Beware of Bryant
Missouri quarterback Kelly Bryant, a Clemson graduate, has made an immediate impact for Mizzou through six games.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound native of South Carolina is among the nation’s top 30 players in passing efficiency, passing touchdowns, passing yards, yards per completion and total offense. Bryant also has 137 yards rushing this season.
Vanderbilt has faced its fair share of exceptionally talented quarterbacks this season and Saturday will be no different. The Commodores will have to figure out a way to limit Bryant’s play-making ability.
3. Fell Rountree
The Tigers will lean on junior running back Larry Rountree to make their offense go.
Rountree is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and 92.8 yards per game. Three times this season he’s gone over the century mark and he ran for 92 yards in a win last season against Vandy.
Vanderbilt has given up 210.3 yards per game on the ground and at least 200 yards rushing each of the past two weeks.
4. Third Down Woes
Vanderbilt comes into the weekend last in the Southeastern Conference and 124th nationally in third-down offense.
Faced with a third-down offensive play 89 times this season, the Dores have converted that play into a first down just 26 times (29.2 percent). Only six teams nationally have a lower rate.
Vandy needs to find new and creative ways to keep the chains moving and to stay on the field offensively – especially this week against a Mizzou defense that is among the top 20 nationally in third-down stops.
5. Underdog Fight
Vanderbilt finds itself as big underdogs going into the weekend. A team which has lost back-to-back contests has put itself in a tough position going against a Missouri squad in the hunt for a SEC East Division crown.
Playing with that underdog mentality could work to Vandy’s advantage as the Tigers play their first road game since Aug. 31. Missouri has won five in a row since then and made their 2019 debut in the Associated Press Top 25 this week at No. 22.
The Commodores have a golden opportunity to play loose and confident in front of a homecoming crowd.
