Vanderbilt coming to town on Saturday

While every Tiger fan is happy that we won last Saturday, I hope everyone agrees that there was a lot of room for improvement in all facets of the game, including coaching. There is a long discussion in this thread about the LSU/Washington game and what areas of the team need the most improvement. The Tigers may have to have their A-game this coming Saturday when they play their SEC opener against the Vanderbilt Commodores (1-0) in Tiger Stadium (6:00pm CT, ESPNU).

Vanderbilt is coming off a year in which they had their first winning season since 1982, and won their first bowl game since 1955. Head Coach Bobby Johnson certainly has his team headed in the right direction, and Vandy should not be considered an easy win anymore. Johnson has 17 starters returning from last year's team.

Under Johnson, the Commodores are known to come out of the starting block fast. They started the 2007 season 3-1, and were 5-0 last year before losing their first game.

Last Saturday, they crushed an undermanned Western Carolina team, 45-0. A quick look at the box score shows a team that dominated in just about every facet of the game. They racked up 620 yards of total offense, while holding Western Carolina to just four first downs. Regardless of the opponent, these are impressive numbers.

They had 423 yards rushing, with two freshmen running backs getting 100+ yards rushing each. Sophomore QB Larry Smith had 66 yards rushing, and was 10-18 for 153 yards passing with one touchdown (no interceptions). He had to leave the game early due to leg cramps.

Based on what I read, it appears they run a no-huddle offense, which could keep the Tiger defense on their heals.

The Commodores return nine starters from last year's defense that ranked 6th in the SEC in scoring defense (19.6 points per game). LSU ranked 9th last year in scoring defense (24.2).

LSU has only played Vanderbilt ten times since 1976. The Tigers have won nine of those games, with their lone loss coming in 1990 (remember the questionable offensive pass interference call on Todd Kinchen at the end of that game?).

While Vanderbilt certainly looked impressive on Saturday, LSU should win this game. Conventional wisdom suggests that LSU, with its faster and stronger players, will correct its mistakes and play much better in front of the energetic home crowd.

My prediction: LSU 31, Vandy 17.

Here are some topics on the Tiger Rant and around the net to check out:
LSU turns focus to Vanderbilt
After lengthy trip, LSU getting back to normal
Weather Forecast for Baton Rouge, LA
LSU frustrates fans in ugly win
Dubois: Tigers win, but there's work to do
The Myth of Fingerprints: How Much Aggression does LSU Need?
Finney: LSU gets win, but Miles has plenty to worry about
LSU's Toliver shows what he can do
LSU turns focus to Vanderbilt after Washington win

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