MTSU at Vanderbilt – Preview and Prediction
VANDERBILT 5.5 MTSU (46.5)
Implied Projected Score: Vanderbilt 26 MTSU 20.5
MEGALOCKS LINE – Vanderbilt 1
The Game
Don’t you love it when people say there is a “must-win” game on September 10th ? Well, if the Commodores plan on getting to a bowl game, they must almost certainly win this one. Starting 0-2 with that SEC schedule left on the docket would make things very challenging. MTSU is fresh off a 55-0 dismantling of FCS opponent Alabama A&M. We took nothing from that game just nice to see that they were sharp.
The Match-Up
MTSU offense vs Vanderbilt defense
Brent Stockstill is a really good QB. Last season he threw for over 4,000 yards and was only intercepted 9 times. Last week he completed 22 (!!) straight passes which is a program record. Sure, a lot of short stuff and it was against an FCS team, but it happened. MSTU has suffered four season ending injuries to the WR corps. Good thing they have 1,800 on their roster. Last week 15 different players had receptions. That includes star WR Richie James.
They now have a healthy RB unit and their top two did not play in last season’s match-up. Ole Miss transfer I’Tavius Mathers and redshirt freshman Terelle West. The OL is excellent. MTSU will be dangerous and balanced.
Nothing will come easy. The Commodores have a really good defense. At some point though MTSU will be able to score SOMETHING. That leads us to………
Vanderbilt offense vs MTSU defense
My goodness. QB Kyle Shurmur was 8-22 last week for 73 yards. Stud RB Ralph Webb did not hit 100 yards. The MTSU defense is not South Carolina BUT they have a very experienced DL and some nice pieces in the secondary. Vandy is going to have a lot of trouble scoring points.
Tasty Tidbits
MTSU players have been frothing at the mouth waiting for this in-state rematch after blowing the game last year (led 13-3)…..Not saying that means anything just saying….The dog is 4-0 ATS in the series……Vandy is 6-0 ATS vs C-USA…..MTSU +5.5 is a winner if the final score is 2-0.
Summary
The write-up is pretty self explanatory. We think this should be close to a pick-em. We have always liked backing MTSU so we could be brainwashed. Having said that, a conference title is not out of the question in our opinion. #IrrelvantHotTake. We will grab the points and see what happens.
Conclusion
Official play MTSU +5.5 -106 (would accept down to +4.5)