Three Key Matchups: Vanderbilt vs Missouri
When the #22 ranked Missouri Tigers step inside Vanderbilt Stadium later today, the Vanderbilt Commodores will be looking to earn their first SEC win of the season and turn around a season that has been disappointing to date.
The Tigers are a 21 point favorite entering the contest, and for most, it is a forgone conclusion that they will roll over the Commodores with relative ease.
Here are three key matchups for this contest and ones that are likely to impact the final outcome.
THREE KEYS MATCHUPS
1) Larry Roundtree III vs Vanderbilt Defense: Roundtree is a big (5-10, 210) runningback who is physical, likes contact and has been a force for the Tigers during this five-game win streak.
It will be key for the Commodores defense to bring their pads and be fundamentally sound in tackling. Arm tackles won't work against this type back.
2) Vanderbilt Receivers vs DeMarcus Acy: A three star prospect entering Missouri, Acy is the Tigers best corner and is best in zone coverage where he can drop and watch the eyes of the quarterback and break on the football.
Acy won't likely move around and matchup one-on-one versus a single receiver, but for the receiver who line up on Acy's side it is imperative that they run precise routes and do the little things to help their quarterback and not allow Acy to make game changing plays in coverage.
3) Larry Borom vs Dayo Odeyingbo: Borom is a mountain of a young man, at 6'6" 340 pounds he has a size advantage on most anyone he will line up against.
So why Odeyingbo?
As the defensive end in this Vanderbilt scheme, Odeyingbo is the pass rusher who will swap sides depending on the situation. Only a sophomore, Borom is the youngest and least experienced member of the Tigers offensive line, and at times he has been suseptable to allowing speed rushers by him on the Tigers right side.
Odeyingbo getting past Borom and to Bryant will be a key to interupting the Tigers offense and hopefully getting them off schedule enough to help change the outcome in this one.
