Vanderbilt back home hosting Ball State trying to make case as Top 25 team
Vanderbilt celebrates the team's 40-35 win against Alabama on the field after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Credit: AP/George Walker IV
Ball State (2-4) at Vanderbilt (4-2), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+, SEC Network+)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Vanderbilt by 26 1/2.
Series record: First meeting.
What's at stake?
Vanderbilt has won two straight Southeastern Conference games building off their historic upset of then-No. 1 Alabama. They haven't trailed in either win. It's the first time they've done that in back-to-back SEC games since 1960. Vanderbilt is just outside the AP Top 25 rankings with the Commodores' best start since opening the 2008 season 5-1. Another win could push the Commodores into the rankings before hosting top-ranked Texas. Ball State just snapped a four-game skid with a win.
Key matchup
Vanderbilt's offense against Ball State's defense. The Commodores have gone through consecutive SEC wins with the offense keeping drives going and avoiding even one three-and-out possession. That’s the first time the Commodores have done that since at least 2002 in consecutive SEC games. Ball State had seven sacks last week and held Kent State to 67 yards rushing.
Players to watch
Ball State: TE Tanner Koziol ranks seventh nationally averaging 7.7 receptions per game. He had eight in the win at Kent State and ranks second among tight ends in catches per game. Koziol ranks third in that group averaging 72.3 yards receiving per game.
Vanderbilt: QB Diego Pavia. The graduate transfer from New Mexico State will play after hurting a knee in the 20-13 win at Kentucky. Pavia was 15 of 18 passing at Kentucky and has four straight games with multiple TD passes.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, center, celebrates the team's 40-35 win against Alabama after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Credit: AP/George Walker IV
Facts & figures
Vanderbilt ranks 10th nationally and second in the SEC converting 51.3% on third downs. ... The Commodores are tied for first among Power 4 programs with one interception thrown this season. ... Vanderbilt is tied with Missouri for the best red zone offense scoring TDs on 96% of trips inside an opponent's 20. That's ninth nationally in the FBS. ... Vanderbilt is third in the SEC and 14th nationally with an average time of possession of 32 minutes, 44 seconds per game. ... The Commodores are 11-1 all-time versus MAC teams. ... Vanderbilt has an interception in 10 of the last 12 games dating to last season. De’Rickey Wright grabbed his sixth career interception in the Kentucky win. ... Brandon Berger had a career-high three sacks for Ball State last week. ... Ball State's Malcolm Gillie is second nationally averaging 33 1/2 yards on kickoff returns.
