5 Things You Need to Know About the Vanderbilt Commodores

Kentucky didn’t have to leave Kroger Field in the month of September. Those first four consecutive home games offered quite the rollercoaster for those in attendance. Week one was a special atmosphere that featured a lightning delay of over two hours and just over two quarters of actual football. Then, week two was an all systems failure against South Carolina. In week three, the Wildcats bounced back by nearly knocking off (at the time) #1 Georgia, but fell to 0-2 in the SEC with back-to-back home losses. The ‘Cats then wrapped up the home stand with a convincing victory over Ohio. Now, after the exciting win at Ole Miss and coming off of a bye week, it feels like it has been awhile since we’ve seen our team. Kroger Field should be rocking on Saturday night when the Vanderbilt Commodores come to town.

Typically, Kentucky versus Vanderbilt football doesn’t exactly exude excitement. However, these aren’t typical circumstances for either program. As we already mentioned, the last time the Wildcats played they beat (at the time) #6 Ole Miss in Oxford. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt is fresh off of beating (at the time) #1 Alabama in one of the wildest college football games you will see this season. When you add in Keeneland, Big Blue Madness, and a call for a black out it is fair to expect that the atmosphere will be ratcheted up a bit in Lexington under the lights on Saturday night.

As always, we have all of your pregame needs right here on Kentucky Sports Radio dot com for the 7:45 p.m. (Eastern Time) kickoff on ABC between the Kentucky Wildcats (3-2, 1-2) and the Vanderbilt Commodores (3-2, 1-1). If you haven’t already, you have to dive into Adam Luckett’s Scouting Report. That is your in-depth, football-nerd preview. For those in search of a more surface level look at what to expect on Saturday evening, you are in the right place. Let’s dive on in to five things you need to know about the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Will the Real Vanderbilt Commodores Please Stand Up

The Vanderbilt Commodores opened up the season with an impressive overtime victory against Virginia Tech. Despite receiving five first place votes in the preseason ACC poll, the Hokies couldn’t escape Nashville with a win. Coach Clark Lea had a statement victory coming off of an ugly 2023 season. However, after beating Alcorn State 55-0, the Commodores dropped one at Georgia State 36-32. Georgia State is a solid program, but that loss felt more like the Vanderbilt of the past.

Fast forward to Week Four and the Commodores headed to CoMo for their first SEC matchup of the season at Missouri. The Tigers were ranked inside of the Top 10 but needed double overtime to hold off Vanderbilt. That game felt a lot like Kentucky’s near upset of Georgia. Then, in Week Five, Vanderbilt summited the mountain. In arguably the biggest upset of the college football season, the Commodores shocked #1 Alabama 40-35. Again there are parallels to Kentucky’s win at Ole Miss.

Both programs have a bad loss, an exciting near victory, and a major upset. Which version of the ‘Cats and the ‘Dores will show up on Saturday night? The answer to that question will likely determine the outcome of this Southeastern Conference showdown.

Unique Offensive Attack

It was a complete offensive overhaul in the offseason for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Clark Lea went out and hired Jerry Kill and Tim Beck to shake things up offensively. After finishing outside of the Top 100 in seemingly ever category in 2023, the 2024 iteration of the Commodores offense is pretty darn good. They are playing very slow, finding success with the quarterback run, consistently converting on third downs, and getting the ball in the end zone when they reach the red zone. That is a recipe that allows you to nearly knock off Missouri and upset Alabama.

Vanderbilt is running a unique shotgun option offense. While the running game is utilized the most, success has come more so through the air. The Kentucky defense will have to stay solid against a bunch of misdirection and pre-snap tricks. Both Missouri and Alabama had fits trying to stop it, but the Wildcats’ defense may be on another level. It will certainly be a unique test on Saturday night much different than what Georgia or Ole Miss threw at the ‘Cats.

Talented Quarterback Leads Vanderbilt’s Offense

Following a solid first season, Diego Pavia really broke out in year two at New Mexico State. Now, following Coach Kill and Coach Beck from Las Cruces to Nashville, the super senior is putting together an excellent campaign. He has completed 70 of 105 passes for 973 yards and eight touchdowns. Then, on the ground, Pavia leads the Commodores in non-sack rushing yards with 394. Pavia has been the perfect dual-threat quarterback for the new option style that Vanderbilt has gone to this season.

Vanderbilt ranks eighth nationally in passing EPA/play. They have a way of lulling you to sleep with the eighth highest run play percentage, 63.7%, before finding explosive plays through the air. Kentucky will have to be disciplined defensively to not give up chunk plays, whether it is on the ground or through the air, when Pavia has the football. In the upset against Alabama, Pavia was a nearly perfect 16-20 for 252 yards and two touchdowns while adding 67 non-sack rushing yards as well. The ‘Cats must contain him and then keep the Commodores out of the end zone when they get within striking distance.

Big Play Offensive Weapons

Diego Pavia has been excellent. However, he has some talented weapons around him to make things a little bit easier. The Vanderbilt Commodores have some legitimate pieces that have led to making their offense much more explosive. It has been another New Mexico State transfer that has been Pavia’s favorite target this season. Eli Stowers leads the way in targets with 33, receptions with 25, and receiving yards with 333. His explosive play rate of 27.3% is very impressive and 17 of his receptions have been either a first down or a touchdown. When Pavia and Stowers link up in the passing game good things have happened for the Commodores.

Quincy Skinner Jr. and Junior Sherrill have been sold deep threats for Vanderbilt as well. Skinner Jr. has 12 receptions for 170 yards and a score. Sherrill, who had a solid freshman campaign last season, is averaging 16.6 yards per reception and has found the end zone twice including once in the upset over Alabama. True freshman Joseph McVay also had a 75 yard touchdown reception against Missouri giving Vanderbilt yet another big play threat. With an average depth of target of 10.4 yards, Pavia has proven that he is willing to take some shots. With Maxwell Hairston out once again, the Wildcats will need a similar effort in the secondary that they got down in Oxford.

Holes to Exploit in the Commodores Defense

The changes that the Vanderbilt Commodores made offensively have resulted in much improved play on the field. However, Coach Clark Lea taking over the defensive play calling has yet to yield the same results. Vanderbilt is creating havoc on 12.6% of snaps, 40th nationally, and has six takeaways in five games, but they still are struggling to get stops.

When you remove the shutout against FCS Alcorn State, the Commodores are allowing 32 points per game and 6.4 yards per play. After facing three very good defenses in South Carolina, Georgia, and Ole Miss, the ‘Cats should have an opportunity to let the offense loose a bit on Saturday night. Big plays should be available both on the ground and through the air.

Miles Capers and and Langston Patterson are two names to know within their defensive front. Capers is an edge rusher with eight quarterback pressures, five tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. The Big Blue Wall can’t fall asleep and let him put consistent pressure on Brock Vandagriff. Patterson led Vandy in tackles last season with 74 and is back at it again with 36 total tackles this year. However, both Patterson and 6’7″ 311-pound defensive tackle Yilanan Ouattara are listed as questionable. In the secondary, Randon Fontenette may be the team’s most talented defensive player. He has 25 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and a pick-6 that put Vanderbilt up 14-0 early against Alabama. There should be opportunities for Kentucky to put points on the board against Vanderbilt.