Vanderbilt vs LSU Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Nov 20, 2024 1:04 AM ET

LSU tapped out of the College Football Playoff chase and saw its SEC title dream go bye-bye with three straight losses all by double-digits. It’s going bowling, and it can finish with a ten-win season by winning out, but there isn’t a lot of fun happening in Baton Rouge.

Vanderbilt ran into reality in a 28-7 loss to South Carolina a few weeks ago, but it’s house money at this point. It’s bowl eligible, it has the win over Alabama, and now it can have some fun over the next two weeks with LSU on the road and Tennessee to close.

Vanderbilt vs LSU: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Game Time: 7:45 pm ET
How To Watch: SEC Network
Venue: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Teams: LSU (6-4), Vanderbilt (6-4)
CFN Bluesky | CFN X | CFN FB
- Week 13 Schedule, Predictions

Why Vanderbilt Will Win

The two weeks off after the South Carolina loss should matter.

It’s not that the Commodores were down in the loss to South Carolina, but the defense had its worst game of the season, the offense wasn’t sharp, and the team played like it could use a bit of a breather. It’s already bowl eligible, the pressure and stress are all on the other side of the field.

The LSU offense has fallen flat over the last three weeks, the defense isn’t coming up with the big stops and big plays it did when it went on a six-game winning streak, and now the team has to deal with a rested Diego Pavia and an offense that’s been great at keeping drives going on third downs.

The LSU D has been awful on third downs, and …

Why LSU Will Win

This is sort of a feel thing, but it just sort of feels like LSU is about to go one of two ways. It’ll go totally in the tank, or here comes the type of performance that reminds everyone that Brian Kelly - for all his flaws and faults - is still a whale of a football coach, and the team is still loaded with NFL talent.

Vanderbilt wins by not screwing up. It doesn’t get penalties, three of the six turnovers came in the too-close loss to Texas, and overall the O keeps things moving, but forget about it in a shootout.

Yes, it’s great on third downs, but LSU is better. It’s better in the time of possession battle, it has more explosion, and as long as there’s some early positive momentum …

Vanderbilt vs LSU: Who Will Win?

No, really. What LSU team will come running out of that tunnel after all the drama of the last few weeks?

It’s back home after a run of three road games in four weeks, it’s a night game, and the base will be roaring early.

As long as the turnovers slow down and the passing game connects early - just get to 65% against a Vandy D that gives up 66% each outing - and all should be okay.

Too late in the SEC and CFP game for LSU, but for this week, a win will be good enough.