No. 13 Auburn at No. 19 Vanderbilt (Plus 4.5)

Last season Auburn defeated Vanderbilt 35-7 to take a 20-19-1 lead in the series. However, the series isn’t as close as the series record may indicate. That’s because Auburn (4-1) has won 13 straight games against Vanderbilt (4-0). The average score in those thirteen games was 36-12. 1955 was the last time Vanderbilt defeated Auburn.

For Vanderbilt to end this streak they will need to rely on key plays on special teams and defense. Special teams punt return man D.J. Moore leads the nation averaging 29 yards per return. The Commodores have been getting key plays; that’s why they lead the nation with a plus-nine turnover margin.

Auburn’s offense hasn’t looked stellar under the direction of quarterback Chris Todd. Todd has thrown more interceptions (4) than touchdowns (3). However, Todd and receivers Robert Dunn and Rodgeriqus Smith should find the passing skies to be friendly against Vanderbilt’s 93rd ranked pass defense.

Auburn 24, Vanderbilt 13

Random Notes
Auburn
Second in the SEC in tackles for loss (7.4 per game).
Defense allows 10.6 points a game fifth best in the nation and second in the SEC.
Passing offense is 97th in the nation (173.2).
Scoring offense is 97 in the nation (19.8).
Total offense is 90th in the nation (329.4).
Negative three turnover margin in tied for 93rd in the nation.
99th in kickoff return average (18.3)
Clinton Durst averages an SEC second best 43.68 yards per punt.

Vanderbilt
Leads the SEC in sacks with 2.75 per game.
Leads the SEC and nation in turnover margin at plus 9.
Third in the nation and best in the SEC averaging 22.5 yards a punt return.
Passing offense is last in the SEC and 116th in the nation (80.75)
Last and 112th in the nation in total offense (282.75).
Pass defense allows 240.0 yards per game, 93rd in the nation and last in the SEC.

Players
Quarterback
Auburn- Chris Todd 75/130 (.577), 815 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT

Vandy- Chris Nickson 30/52 (.577), 292 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT

Rushing
Auburn- Ben Tate 393 yards, 4.6 ypc, 2 TD
Auburn- Brad Lester 174 yards, 4.1 ypc, 1 TD

Vandy- Jared Hawkins 314 yards, 4.7 ypc, 3 TD
Vandy- Chris Nickson 270 yards, 4.8 ypc, 5 TD

Wide Receiver
Auburn- Robert Dunn 172 yards, 15 rec., 11.5 ypr, 2 TD
Auburn- Rodgeriqus Smith 166 yards, 15 rec., 11.1 ypr, 0 TD

Vandy- Sean Walker 105 yards, 9 rec., 11.7 ypr, 1 Td
Vandy- Branden Barden 64 yards, 4 rec., 16.0 ypr, 1 TD
Vandy- Jamie Graham 40 yards, 6 rec., 6.7 ypr, 0 TD

Defense
Auburn- Antonio Coleman leads the SEC in with four sacks. He is second in the league with seven tackles for loss.
Auburn- Sen’Derrick Marks leads the SEC with eight tackles for loss. He is third on the team with two sacks.

Vandy- Patrick Benoist leads the team (second in the SEC to Florida’s Brandon Spikes) averaging 9.25 tackles per game (37).


Team Stats
Auburn
Rushing- 156.2
Passing- 173.2
Total- 329.4
PF- 19.8
PA- 10.6

Vandy
Rushing- 202
Passing- 80.8
Total- 282.8
PF- 29.8
PA- 17