Vanderbilt’s quarterback is Diego Pavia. He was the quarterback at New Mexico State two years ago when he beat Hugh Freeze’s Liberty. He was the quarterback at New Mexico State one year ago when he beat Hugh Freeze’s Auburn. A week later, Auburn was one play from beating Alabama.
It would be stupid to say that Diego Pavia, and more importantly Jerry Kill, who was the head coach at New Mexico State and is now the “Chief Consultant to the Head Coach and Senior Offensive Advisor” at Vanderbilt, would not appear to have some semblance of Hugh Freeze’s number. But we can somewhat discount the loss at Liberty because Hugh had a foot out the door heading to Auburn. We can somewhat discount last year’s loss at Auburn because Hugh was in the midst of a 3-game win streak with the Iron Bowl on the horizon.
They aren’t acceptable, but they are understandable.
It’s easy to look at this Vandy team and get more than scared. They beat Alabama. They gave Texas a scare. Oh my!
But they also lost to Georgia State, a team that is currently 2-5, with the win over Vandy and a 3-point win over Chattanooga. A week after beating Alabama, this Vandy team went into the 4th quarter tied with Ball State.
They aren’t world beaters. They have a B-team Johnny Manziel with a regular Vanderbilt roster around him. Both of their big “performances” came at home. This one is at Auburn, in the first home game since September.
Sure, it’s 11:45. But Auburn is coming off a win. The fanbase as a little more pep in their step, and their excited to finally get a game at home. It’ll be loud. The threat is known. This isn’t a surprise like it was last year. They know who the need to stop, and they have the most direct film on him than any team in the SEC.
Auburn was the most balanced they had been last week. They made Kentucky look like Kentucky. Vanderbilt played Kentucky like they normally play Kentucky. It was a close win you’d expect when Vandy is a little better than normal and Kentucky is Kentucky.
Peyton Thorne will continue to be safe and calculated. The running game will continue to build on last week. The defense will be a group of head hunters hellbent on keeping the one threat at bay.
It’s a party in Jordan-Hare. Being scare of Vandy goes away quickly. “I guess they are just Vandy” is something said in every section of Jordan-Hare Stadium.
It’s easy.
Auburn 38, Vanderbilt 17
