Three Predictions: Vanderbilt vs Missouri
Entering the 2019 season many people in the media and fans might have had this game against the Missouri Tigers labeled a toss up where either team could win.
Now as gameday is here and the two teams are trending in opposite directions, Missouri seems a almost certain lock to win this afternoon at Vanderbilt Stadium.
The odds certainly favor Missouri, but there's always a chance in football of underdogs pulling off the major upsets (South Carolina last week defeating Georgia in Athens last week) which means that while the Tigers areheavy favorites, Vanderbilt has a chance.
That's why we play the game.
Here are this week's three predictions on things we think will happen today.
THREE PREDICTIONS
1) Poor Tackling Plagues Continues To Plague Vanderbilt: Missouri's running game, lead by Larry Roundtree III has been churning up yards during their five game win streak, and Vanderbilt's issues in tackling runners rears its ugly head against the physical Roundtree & company in this one.
While I'm not willing to predict Missouri will run for over 400 yards like Ole Miss, it's hard to see the Commodores tacking improve enough in one week to stop the Tigers ground game from pounding them with this group.
PREDICTION: Roundtree cruises past the century mark and the Tigers end the day with 340 yards on the ground.
2) Bryant Is Average Today: Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant is a special talent and should find a place in the NFL next season, but with the ground game rolling along there won't be much need for Bryant to throw for huge yards in this one.
He'll make some plays and hurt the Commodores with both his arm and legs, but that damage will be less than it could be because the Tigers will be running the ball and clock.
PREDICTION: Bryant throws for 220 yards and two touchdowns while running for 50 himself.
3) Vanderbilt Plays Better: THe Commodores were a train wreck last week against UNLV, and that bitter taste has stuck around all week.
The Commodores will play better this week, with heart and give it there all, and they will make it interesting for a while, but too much Tiger in this one.
PREDICTION: Missouri 38 Vanderbilt 17.
The Commodores score some points here, but not nearly enough as the Tigersrun game is too much and wears down the defense while grinding up yards and the clock.
