Hey Auburn fans, in the past you've pounded Vanderbilt. Last year, for example, you won 35-7. Maybe you'll blow out the Commodores again this season. Or maybe not. But this is a different Vanderbilt team, so don't get too frustrated if this turns out to be a struggle. After all, the Commodores are the No. 19 team in the nation right now.
Anyway, here are 10 things you should know about this year's Vanderbilt team:
1. The Commodores lead the nation in turnover margin with +2.25 per game, compared to -0.6 turnovers per game (8th in the SEC and 93rd in the nation) for Auburn.
2. Fans of opposing SEC teams have been known to fill up half of Vanderbilt's stadium — or even more. Tennessee fans like to call it "Little Neyland" when they travel to Nashville. It will be interesting to see what percentage of the stadium is filled with Auburn fans on Saturday — and what percentage of Nashvillians have jumped on the Commodore bandwagon.
3. The Commodores returned zero starters on the offensive line since last season, and one of the graduating seniors, left tackle Chris Williams, was a first round draft pick of the Bears. Still, Vanderbilt has the No. 3 rushing offense in the SEC and are led on the ground by tailback Jared Hawkins (of whom SenDerrick Marks says, "You don't see many white guys like that") and quarterback Chris Nickson.
4. Jared Hawkins looks like Harry Potter. Just saying.
5. Vanderbilt has a bend-but-don't-break defense that ranks worst in the SEC and 93rd in the nation in total yards (364 yards a game) but allows only 17 points a game, which is 7th in the SEC but 30th in the nation.
6. The Commodores are a second half team, outscoring opponents 57-10 in the second half so far this season. By comparison, Auburn has been outscored 38-37 in the second half, though LSU scored 23 of those points.
7. Vanderbilt leads the nation with 10 interceptions. Starters in the secondary are D.J. Moore, one of the top underclassman cornerbacks and the leading punt returner in the nation; Myron Lewis, the other cornerback, who has two sacks; Reshard Langford, a ferocious hitter at strong safety and a sure-fire NFL draft pick; and Ryan Hamilton, the free safety who against Ole Miss had three interceptions, including a 79-yard return for a touchdown, and a touchdown-saving tackle on fourth down to complete a goal-line stand.
8. The Commodores like to pressure the opposing quarterback, leading the nation with 2.75 sacks per game. Eight different players have recorded sacks for Vanderbilt this season.
9. Vanderbilt beat South Carolina 24-17 the week before the Gamecocks lost only 14-7 to then-No. 1 Georgia. Vanderbilt beat Ole Miss 23-17 in Oxford the week before the Rebels upset Florida 31-30 in Gainesville.
10. Vanderbilt leads the nation in fewest penalties per game and are eighth in the nation with fewest penalty yards per game.
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