Five Things I Want To See From Vanderbilt Versus Northern Illinois

This game is all about the Commodores and what they need to do to win

Vanderbilt play host to Norhtern Illinois Saturday with the COmmodores (0-3) looking for their first win of the season while the Huskies enter the contest with just one win (1-2) on the season. 

Both teams have played tough competition with the Huskies having lost two Nebraska and #19 Utah while winning their season opener against Illinois State,  while the Commodores have fallen to three Power 5 opponents to open the season.

For the Commodores to get their first win of the season it seems like this game is more about Vanderbilt and what they do than perhaps the individual matchups in the game. 

Here are the five things I want to see from Vanderbilt in this one. 

1) Vaughn Time: With all due respect to the Huskies defense, and even though LSU might be somewhat down defensively this season, the Huskies are not as good as the Tigers in this area. 

Ke'Shawn Vaughn went for 130 yards against the Tigers last week, more of the same should be expected this week as the Husklies have surrendered 193 yards rushing to Utah and 238 to the Huskers. Vanderbilt has faced the better competition and managed to find success on the ground. There's no reason to believe that they can't, and won't have success in this one. 

2) Show Me The Defense: Through three games the Commodores defense has been porous at best so far, that can't continue if Vanderbilt is to stop this three game losing streak. 

The Huskies are not prolific running team, managing only 74 yards against Nebraska, 42 against Illinois State and 67 to Utah. Keeping that trend going will be huge for Vanderbilt and their hopes to win. 

While I'm not a coach, and don't intend to play one here, the Commodores secoindary must play tougher on the Huskies wide outs and stop their passing attack which has been their strenght so far this season. Quarterback Ross Bowers has lead the Huskies offense through the air and should be expected to carry them again this week. Pressure and tight coverage should be the order of the day for Jason Tarver and company, 

3) Neal Growth Continues: Quarterback Riley Neal has improved each week and showed signs of finding his stride last week versus LSU. His numbers weren't Borrow-esk but they were solid and considering the Huskies defense has been good, not great against the pass so far, Neal needs to toss it around a little bit this week.  

4) Rock & Roll Dores Pink Lipscomb: For Neal to have a big day, his two to top targets in Jared Pinkney and Kalijah Lipscomb- who are both considered furutre NFL talents- need to rock the Huskies and make big plays. 

Lipscomb and Vaughn  provided some "splash plays" last week and they MUST continue to provide those in the coming weeks. Pinkney needs to join the parade and give Neal two big play options through the air. 

Cam Johnson has shown flashes also, and his continued growth can be nothing but a positive for Neal and this offense going forward. 

5) Stay Smart: The Commodores struggled with dumb penalties and mistakes against Purdue, they improved dramatically last week but must maintain this week and not revert to that form. The hidden yards in this game will be key against a team that has a solid history with six 10- win season and multiple upsets on their resume, including a win in Tuscaloosa over a ranked Alabama team in 2003.      

Make no mistakes, this is a solid, physical Huskies squad who are more than capable of winning this game. They have been to Salt Lake City and Lincoln already this season and will not be intimidated by Nashville. It would be nice to see Commodores fans show up for this one and support this team in a winnable game for them.