NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt returns home this week to host UNLV out of the Mountain West Conference.
The Commodores (1-4) will be trying to improve to 9-3 in their last 12 games outside of the SEC. The Rebels (1-4) come in on a four-game losing streak.
Vandy and UNLV have never met before and Vanderbilt is 3-3 all-time against teams from the MWC, a mark which includes a 2018 victory over Nevada.
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: Dave 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: 63 degrees at kickoff, sunny, 20 percent chance of rain
1. Taming The Trenches
UNLV has an experienced defensive front seven that includes 11 upperclassmen in the two-deep. But the Rebels also rank 117th in rush defense this season by giving up 218.4 yards per game on the ground.
Vanderbilt is coming off its lowest rushing output of the year by totaling just 62 yards in 27 carries against Ole Miss – even though star back Ke’Shawn Vaughn finished with 69 yards on the ground. The Commodores will have to be better in the ground game to assert itself Saturday.
2. The Hot Hand at Quarterback
Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason hinted this week that backup quarterback Deuce Wallace may see the field some Saturday.
Wallace, a redshirt-junior, has seen action in all but one contest this year. He’s 20-for-43 for 151 yards and an interception.
Starting quarterback Riley Neal has completed 61.7 percent of his throws (92-149) and connected on four touchdowns.
Whichever quarterback starts, if both see the field or if one takes every offensive snap, it’s imperative he protects the football and leads the Commodores to points more often than not.
3. Look Out For Chuck
If the Vanderbilt defense is to have success Saturday it will need to find a way to slow down UNLV junior running back Charles Williams.
Williams ranks 16th national with 529 rushing yards and 15th with 8.02 yards per carry. He already has three games this season in which he totaled at least 143 yards on the ground.
The Commodores, conversely, surrendered 413 yards on the ground last week in the 31-6 loss at Ole Miss.
4. Turnovers!
Vanderbilt has played five games in 2019 and turned the ball over just four times. Only seven teams have lost the ball fewer times.
UNLV comes to town having coughed up nine turnovers, including six interceptions. The Rebels will also be turning to freshman quarterback Kenyon Oblad – a tough task on the road in the SEC.
The Commodores have registered only four takeaways in 2019 and Saturday may be a golden opportunity to increase that number.
5. Keep Being Special
Vanderbilt has done a solid job when it comes to the oft-forgotten third part of a football game: special teams.
Kickers Riley Guay and Javan Rice have combined to go perfect on both field goal and extra point attempts and punter Harrison Smith is among the nation’s best in yards per punt.
Those units need to continue their good work Saturday. If kick returner Justice Shelton-Mosley is able to find some space to break a big run that could further spark the Dores to a possible win.
