Vanderbilt @ Wake Forest preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2011 ) Vanderbilt 41, Wake Forest 7

The regular season has been one for the ages for Vanderbilt, and the Commodores look to finish their schedule with a sixth consecutive victory on Saturday at Wake Forest. Bowl eligible in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the program’s history, Vanderbilt rebounded from a 0-2 start and sits one victory away from reaching eight wins for the first time since 1982. Wake Forest needs a victory to become bowl eligible, but the Demon Deacons have dropped five of their past seven. The last three losses – to Clemson, North Carolina State and new-No. 1 Notre Dame – have been by a combined score of 117-19.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Vanderbilt, -11.5

ABOUT VANDERBILT (7-4, 5-3 SEC): James Franklin has transformed Vanderbilt in only two seasons as coach. The Commodores smashed Tennessee last week and bring the nation’s 16th stingiest defense (18.0 points) into Winston-Salem. Offensively, the Commodores have used the running of Zac Stacy and the receiving of Jordan Matthews to average 39.3 points in their past four contests. Stacy averages 5.3 yards per carry, while Matthews is one of seven receivers in the nation to have more than 75 receptions and more than 1,100 receiving yards this season.

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (5-6, 3-5): Very little is going right for the Demon Deacons as the regular season concludes. Wake Forest ranks 114th in the nation in scoring (18.3), 117th in total offense (300.6 yards) and 101st in passing defense (270.2 yards). Quarterback Tanner Price has passed for 2,118 yards and 12 touchdowns, but the Demon Deacons were shut out at Notre Dame last week, rushing for only 55 yards while allowing 31 first-half points.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Commodores are one victory away from their first six-game winning streak since 1955.

2. Wake Forest P Alexander Kinal has established a single-season school record with 90 punts.

3. Vanderbilt leads the all-time series 8-6, winning 41-7 last year at Wake Forest.

PREDICTION: Vanderbilt 42, Wake Forest 13