Three Predictions: Vanderbilt VS UNLV
Since starting these predictions it's been a mixed back of right and wrong, so I'm not discouraged by the results. It's football afterall and no one is going to get all their predictions right, so I prefer to look at it like a batting average in baseball, batting .300 for a career earns you hall of fame consideration.
Here's this weeks three, and if I'm lucky I'll get one hit this week to keep that batting average above .300.
1) Big day through the air: While both Riley Neal and Deuce Wallace will play today, the prediction is that they will have a big day passing the football against and UNLV defense that allows 238.6 yards per game.
How big a day you ask? Let's go with 350 or more yards in this one combined between the two QB's. Less than that will still be enough to win, but with the talent on the Commodores offense, this should be a game to post that kind of passsing production.
2) Defense scores: The Commodores defense found the endzone against LSU and should be able to help their offense today by getting another.
Hopefully it comes early in the game and helps build a cushion to allow the offense to play loose and free without pressure of a tight game.
Vegas is a decent team offensively, and running back Charles WIlliams is capable of doing damage to a Commodores defense who gave up over 400 yards on the ground last week, so getting a takeaway and score would be huge.
I think we see them get one today, and it will turn out to be big.
3) Final Score: This is always the hardest prediction, coming up with a number out of your head as to how the game will play out.
Last week I predicted Ole Miss to win 31-28. I nailed the 31 for Ole Miss but missed badly on the Vanderbilt side.
This week I think the skill players from Vanderbilt are far better than their opponents on defense. I want to go Vandy big, but given the Commodores history of playing to their competition, I'm scared to do it.
This should be a big number for Vanderbilt, but it won't be, Vandy is a 15.5 point favorite here and while I think they should cover, don't bet it.
Final Score: Vanderbilt 31 UNLV 21: Vegas mananges to make some plays against the Commodores defense and walks away with a disappointing cover of the spread here. I'm not a gambler and don't bet sports, so for the sake of the Commodores, I hope I'm wrong but this just seems like a spot where Vanderbilt wins but it's less than expected.
