Coming off a game where Vanderbilt Football reached bowl eligibility for the first time since 2018 with its 17-7 win against Auburn, the team now looks to beat South Carolina at home. The Commodores beat the Tigers in a low-scoring game defined by special teams and defense. It was Vanderbilt’s first win at Auburn in program history, marking another achievement in a historic season for Vanderbilt Football.
The Commodores’ offense could not find its rhythm last Saturday, as Diego Pavia completed just 41% of his passes — going 9 for 22 — and the rushing offense averaged only 2.2 yards per carry on 38 attempts. Special teams was the difference maker in the game, as Vanderbilt won the field position battle and Auburn missed two field goals.
This week’s matchup between Vanderbilt and South Carolina promises to be a competitive battle of some of the most surprising teams in the SEC this year, as the Gamecocks are fresh off an upset of then-No. 10 Texas A&M. Here are some of the matchups that will define the game on Saturday.
South Carolina’s offensive line vs. Vanderbilt’s pass rush
South Carolina’s offensive line has allowed the second-most sacks of any offensive line in all of the FBS at 32 sacks. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers is also tied with quarterbacks Taylen Green and Brock Vandagriff for the most fumbles by a player in the SEC at seven. Simply put, the Gamecocks’ pass protection has underperformed, resulting in more opportunities for opposing defenses to create turnovers and push the offense back. The pass protection has still held the offense back despite Sellers’ ability to scramble.
Vanderbilt’s game plan this week will take advantage of the poor offensive line to pressure Sellers. It’s in these situations that Vanderbilt will most likely produce turnovers — which have been a hallmark of Vanderbilt’s defense this year. Vanderbilt ranks ninth in the SEC this year in sacks at 21. Head coach and defensive play caller Clark Lea usually opts for zone coverage schemes, so he will need creative schemes for linebackers to rush the quarterback and cover the middle of the field.
Battle of mobile quarterbacks
Both Vanderbilt and South Carolina’s offenses are centered around dual-threat quarterbacks. Sellers has rushed for 404 yards, placing him in the top 25% of FBS quarterbacks in 2024. The signal caller had a breakout performance on the ground last week against Texas A&M, gaining 106 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries. He also demonstrated his running prowess with a 75-yard breakaway score on a draw play against LSU in Week Three. At 6’3” and 242 pounds, Sellers is a powerful runner with impressive open-field speed. Containing Sellers will be a crucial challenge for the Vanderbilt defensive line and a key matchup to watch.
Pavia’s running ability has been integral to Vanderbilt’s offensive success. Pavia, a quick and elusive runner, excels at evading defenders and powering through tackles — skills he attributes to his wrestling background. He leads all SEC quarterbacks with 563 rushing yards this season and has scored four rushing touchdowns. However, recent injury concerns may hamper his running abilities. Pavia managed only 22 yards on 2.2 yards per carry, both season lows, in last week’s game against Auburn. The Commodores’ success against South Carolina will largely depend on Pavia’s ability to regain his form as a runner.
South Carolina’s penalties vs. Vanderbilt’s discipline
Throughout the 2024 season, South Carolina has developed a contentious relationship with SEC officials, becoming a subject of discussion on college football social media. The numbers support this, as the Gamecocks average about seven penalties per game, placing them in the bottom 20% of FBS teams, with these infractions costing them 492 yards over the season.
In contrast, Vanderbilt has shown remarkable improvement in discipline. While the Commodores initially struggled with penalties, conceding 333 yards in the first four weeks, they have since turned things around dramatically. Following its Week Five bye, Vanderbilt has averaged just 28.6 penalty yards per game over the past five weeks, ranking second in the FBS. This newfound discipline has been a key factor in Vanderbilt’s recent success, with the team winning four of its last five games. The Commodores have also outperformed their opponents in penalty yards by an average of 36.6 yards per game during this stretch.
As Vanderbilt prepares to face South Carolina, its ability to maintain discipline and potentially draw penalties from its opponents could prove crucial in gaining a field position advantage. The contrast in penalty performance between the two teams adds a notable dimension to the upcoming matchup.
The game between Vanderbilt and South Carolina is scheduled for Nov. 9 at 3:15 p.m. CST at FirstBank Stadium.
