Old Dominion @ Vanderbilt preview
Vanderbilt Stadium
Vanderbilt takes a break from its brutal SEC schedule to host Old Dominion of Conference USA on Saturday. The Commodores are 0-5 in the SEC and have likely seen their streak of three straight bowl appearances end unless they can win their final four games, including against Tennessee and Florida at home and top-ranked Mississippi State on the road. Before that gauntlet, Vanderbilt has to get past Old Dominion with its quarterback position in flux.
Vanderbilt started its fourth different quarterback this season with redshirt freshman Johnny McCrary under center for the Commodores’ 24-14 loss at Missouri last week. McCrary was 17-of-31 for 196 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in his first career start and what he lacked in experience he made up for with bravado. “I feel like I'm possibly one of the best quarterbacks in college football, possibly make it to the NFL," McCrary said after the loss. "But you've got to have that confidence every time you're on the field."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Vanderbilt -7
ABOUT OLD DOMINION (3-5): The Monarchs have lost four straight, including 66-51 at Western Kentucky last week in a game in which Taylor Heinicke threw for 471 yards and three scores. Heinicke has thrown for 2,286 yards and 21 touchdowns but also has 10 interceptions. Freshman Ray Lawry has rushed for 551 yards and 11 touchdowns on 74 carries.
ABOUT VANDERBILT (2-6): Injuries and ineffective play have created a QB carousel this season. This week’s starter will likely be McCrary, but sophomore Patton Robinette, who started the season but missed three games with a concussion and is 23-of-32 for 240 yards and two touchdowns, will probably retake the position he earned coming out of the summer in two weeks. Running back Ralph Webb has 589 yards and is moving up the school’s all-time single season freshman rushing, needing 60 yards to move into third place.
EXTRA POINTS
1.Vanderbilt has had 31 true or redshirt freshmen play this season, more than any team in the nation.
2. Old Dominion ranks No. 121 out of 125 FBS schools in points allowed at 40.5 per game.
3. Robinette is the Commodores’ only quarterback to enter the season with game experience, but he’s had trouble staying healthy, missing two games after an unspecified injury in the season opener against Temple and three more after suffering a concussion vs. South Carolina.
PREDICTION: Vanderbilt 31, Old Dominion 17