Vanderbilt @ UMass preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 27, 2012 ) Massachusetts 7, Vanderbilt 49

All signs point to a Vanderbilt victory in Saturday's non-conference game at Massachusetts. The Commodores have won their last five games against non-conference opponents, are 11-2 all-time against teams from the MAC, and only one head coach has produced more victories in his first two seasons than James Franklin's 15. "We are very focused on UMass and what we can accomplish this week," the 41-year-old Franklin said to reporters. "We have a great plan schematically and we think we are going to be highly successful."

Massachusetts is reeling after a pair of blowout losses to Wisconsin and Kansas State, and also fell to Maine of the FCS. Head coach Charley Molnar gave sophomore quarterback A.J. Doyle his first start of the season against Kansas State, but the offense could only muster its season average of seven points, which is all the Minutemen scored in a 42-point loss at Vanderbilt a year ago. "We have our work cut out for us," Molnar told reporters. "It's just what you expect playing a very good BCS team."

TV: Noon ET, ESPNews. LINE: Vanderbilt -32.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (1-2): Jordan Matthews is off to a strong start for with 24 receptions and three straight games of over 100 yards receiving. The senior had a career-high 178 yards in a 39-35 season-opening loss to Mississippi, and is now in the top five in school history in receptions, yards and touchdowns. "Jordan is a special player," Franklin told reporters. "We believe in our other guys, but we want to get No.87 as many touches as we can. Jordan just continues to show up, especially in tough situations like on Saturday (against South Carolina)."

ABOUT MASSACHUSETTS (0-3): One bright spot for the Minutemen is the play of sophomore wide receiver Tajae Sharpe, who after being held to one catch in the opener against Wisconsin, had 20 catches for 183 yards in the last two games. A return to action by tight end Rob Blanchflower would help bolster an offense which has been outgained 1,568-786 this season. The senior captain had limited participation in Monday's practice, but Molnar has offered no update on his status for this game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. UMass has produced just 21 first downs while allowing 106 this season.

2. Vanderbilt senior K Carey Spear booted a career-long field goal of 54 yards last week against South Carolina.

3. Senior OT Wesley Johnson has started 41 consecutive games for the Commodores, and last week held All-American DE Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina to just one first-half tackle when they were matched up.

PREDICTION: Vanderbilt 45, UMass 6