Mizzou football vs. Vanderbilt: Five things to know before Missouri begins SEC play
It wasn’t pretty, but Mizzou football managed to stay undefeated with last week’s 27-21 home win over then-No. 24 Boston College.
The Tigers (3-0) were bumped down just one spot in the AP Poll, now sitting at No. 7, but they’ll have the chance to regain ground as the Vanderbilt Commodores head to Columbia to close out the Tigers’ four-game homestand to begin the season.
The Commodores (2-1) are coming off their first loss, falling to Georgia State 36-32.
Vanderbilt entered the fourth quarter trailing 22-10, but three touchdowns in the fourth gave it a 32-29 lead with just over a minute to go. However, Georgia State quarterback Christian Veilleux completed a game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds left.
As the Tigers look to stay undefeated — and the Commodores look to bounce back — here’s what you need to know about both teams’ SEC opener...
Mizzou football vs. Vanderbilt game details
Kickoff: 3:15 p.m Saturday, Sept. 21
Where: Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium (Columbia)
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Tiger Radio Network
Betting line: Mizzou is a 20.5-point favorite (via FanDuel).
Over/under: 52.5
Five Things to Know
1. Eli Drinkwitz has yet to lose to Vanderbilt. Since taking over the Tigers (before the 2020 season), head coach Eli Drinkwitz has had the Commodores’ number with wins in all four matchups. Additionally, Mizzou has won eight of the last 10 matchups against Vanderbilt.
2. Mizzou converts its third-down opportunities. Vanderbilt’s defense has one of the worst opposing third-down conversion rates in FBS, allowing 42.5%, ranking 106th. The Tigers are on the opposite end of that spectrum, ranking fourth in the country in offensive third-down-conversion rate at 59.6%.
3. The Commodores have a dual-threat QB in Diego Pavia. Drinkwitz noted that Vanderbilt has been “innovative” and “tough to defend” when it comes to Diego Pavia’s usage. Noted the MU head coach at Wednesday’s news conference: Pavia “gives them a chance on every play to be explosive.”
Pavia has thrown for 543 yards with four TDs this season. He has added 195 yards on the ground (ranking second of SEC QBs behind Arkansas’ Taylen Green) with two rushing TDs. Pavia’s top target has been tight end Eli Stowers, who has 163 yards and a touchdown across 12 receptions.
4. Vanderbilt has one of the best turnover margins in the country. The Commodores have only turned the ball over once so far this season, sitting with a plus-3 turnover margin. That ranks 14th nationally (and is tied with MU).
5. The Commodores are without a star safety for the first half. Ejected for targeting against Georgia State, CJ Taylor will miss the first half against the Tigers. Taylor led the team (along with De’Rickey Wright) in interceptions last season with two. He also recorded three sacks and a fumble recovery. Taylor already has one interception this season, as well.
