THE VITALS
KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m. Central
SITE: Memorial Stadium (71,168)
TV: SEC Network (Dave Neal, Matt Stinchcomb, Dawn Davenport)
RADIO: Tiger Radio Network (Mike Kelly, Howard Richards, Chris Gervino)
SERIES: Tied 2-2-1 (Vandy won 10-3 in 2015)
RELATED LINKS
VIDEO: Media Day | Monday Chat Replay | Media Day Notebook | 2016 Tiger Mailbag
VIDEO: Cross & Heupel | Podcast: Chris Lee & Cole Cubelic | Enter the Chamber
THE MATCHUPS
When Missouri runs the ball: Damarea Crockett and Ish Witter have been the only thing approaching consistent for Missouri this season. The duo is averaging a combined 137 yards a game and better than five per carry for the season. Vandy has been decent against the run, giving up 167 yards per contest, but opponents are averaging a stout 4.76 yards per carry. The opportunities may be there to try to open some things up with the ground game. But will Missouri commit to it? For now, EDGE: VANDY
When Missouri throws the ball: The numbers look pretty good, but the simple fact is that Missouri's passing game has been up and down--mostly down against decent teams. Even when they've thrown it well, the Tigers have given the ball away too much, both by interception and fumbles by receivers. Vanderbilt's numbers against the pass have been good, not great. They have just nine sacks on the season. Again, the opportunity could be there for the Tigers, but the Commodores have been solid defensively. EDGE: VANDY
When Vandy runs the ball: This depends largely on the health of Ralph Webb. The junior is averaging 100 yards a game, but no one is sure if he's going to play. If he does, Missouri will have its hands full. The Tigers were much better against the run last week, but South Carolina is the worst rushing team they've faced in a bit. With Webb in question, this one is too tough to call. EDGE: EVEN
When Vandy throws the ball: The Dores are improving, but they're not good. They're averaging just more than 150 yards passing per game. The Tiger defense did a better job getting in the backfield last week, but a far worse job at making plays once the ball was in the air. South Carolina did a good job in the passing game, where Mizzou had actually been pretty decent in recent weeks. Kyle Shurmur is completing only 55% of his passes and averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. He's thrown just five touchdowns, but has taken care of the ball with just four interceptions. EDGE: MISSOURI
Special Teams: At this point, it's fair to wonder if Missouri even bothers putting a placekicker on the field. Even the kickoffs weren't good a week ago. The return games have been negligible. Darrius Sims is a dangerous return man for Vandy and Tommy Openshaw has been far more reliable than anything Mizzou has kicking the ball. EDGE: VANDY
Intangibles: Vanderbilt is on the upswing and has been in every game outside of a 38-7 blowout loss to Georgia Tech. Missouri is 2-7 and hasn't won since Delaware State was in town. EDGE: VANDY
Coaching: We'll stick with the company line. Barry Odom hasn't beaten a Power Five team yet. Until he does, this isn't a discussion. EDGE: VANDY
THE KEYS
1. Minimize the mistakes. This is number one every week. Missouri has done better with the penalties lately, but continues to hurt itself with costly turnovers and terribly timed kicking miscues. We've yet to see the Tigers play anything approaching a clean game against a decent team. Has to happen sometime. Right?
2. Make Vandy one-dimensional. Vanderbilt isn't going to ring up a ton of points (we said the same about South Carolina). They're slow and methodical on offense. If the Tigers can limit the ground game and put the Commodores in third and long, they should be able to get after Shurmur and have a chance to make some big plays. Maybe even a score on defense.
3. Pull out all the stops. Trick plays, fake punts, whatever. This team desperately needs something good to happen. This is realistically your last decent shot at a win. Crazy formations, Marvin Zanders at quarterback, anything. There is nothing too wild to try at this point in time.
THE PREDICTION
Missouri could win this game. It wouldn't be a shock. But that's been the case three games in a row and the Tigers haven't done it. It's pretty much impossible to pick them to do so. Vandy plays boring, but mistake-free offense and puts the game in the hands of the defense. Openshaw makes three field goals and the Tigers score once and go for two, but it isn't enough. Take the Commodores, 9-8.
PREVIOUS PREDICTIONS
West Virginia 27, Mizzou 17
Mizzou 48, Eastern Michigan 10
Georgia 23, Mizzou 21
Mizzou 54, Delaware State 7
LSU 22, Mizzou 14
Florida 24, Mizzou 7
Mizzou 37, Middle Tennessee 20
Kentucky 42, Mizzou 35
South Carolina 20, Mizzou 10
