Saturday predictions: Ball State at Vanderbilt

After two straight wins in the SEC, Vanderbilt is playing a game that probably won't be played again if Super League folds and the MAC is thrown in the trash can because the Big Ten and Greg Sankey hate the sport and host Ball State.

This should probably be an easy win, but that's too logical. Let's see how scared the writers are about playing Ball State since they need two more wins to become bowl eligible.

Tom Stephenson

While I'm tempted to say Vanderbilt will win by a wide margin because Ball State is one of the worst teams in FBS, I've said the same thing about Georgia State and we all know how that turned out.

But with Diego Pavia a bit banged up and this game in the middle of the SEC schedule and Texas coming to town next weekend, I expect we'll see a lot of the second team and Vanderbilt will get comfortable enough to stand up, to fend off the dogs fairly early. So the back door is open and Ball State will slide right through it.

The choice: Vanderbilt 42, Ball State 21

The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: Huh… I prefer Auburn (+4) over MISSOURAH (spits). I don't have any particular reason for choosing this one other than I'm not particularly impressed with Missouri.

Andrew VU '04

Just as we now know we can defeat Goliaths, we still have to be wary of all the Davids and their various slings. And not just because some of them sleep with our wives and have us killed. Not to mention all the tail tips he cut off for his dowry. Side note: Why the hell did Eliam want all those dick tips??? What did he use them for?!?! Why doesn't my pastor return my calls about this topic?!?!

What was I talking about again? Oh yeah, Ball State, and why we shouldn't take them lightly, even though they lost 4-2, 63-7 to James Madison a few weeks ago.

Yeah, well… um… we shouldn't take them lightly. Still, I'm really looking forward to seeing Nasty Nate on offense once this game gets out of hand.

The choice: Vanderbilt 48 – Fightin' David Letterman's 17.

The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: I actually like a lot of surprises this weekend. Give me The South Cackalacky Game Penises (+3) about Boomer Sooner, The Mashburn Wedding Leotards (+2.5) about the jorts, and Woo Pig Arky (+3) about the Gumbo Bengals. Of these three, the Okie tears will be particularly hilarious.

Patrick Sawyer

Pavia probably plays a half or less, but I think Nate Johnson has something to prove. Beck's offense isn't one with a “vanilla” setup either, unless you resort to the QB run option like they did against Georgia State. I don't think that will happen again, especially with Johnson in the game. He's basically untouched this season.

The offense is probably more boom-bust for him. Johnson doesn't have the same system experience as Pavia, so the decisions may not be as consistently perfect. However, his arm is theoretically stronger and his speed is a step or two higher than Pavia's.

The defense will likely lose some yards and points as the coaches try to spread the load among the key players.

Georgia State's lesson should have been learned. I think everyone wants to prove how fortuitous it was with a comfortable home win.

The choice: Vanderbilt 41, Ball State 13

The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: Kentucky was an underdog earlier in the week in Vegas, but is now the favorite by 1.5 points. I think both the Cats and Cocks (still 1.5 point underdogs) beat Florida and Oklahoma.

Cole Sullivan

It's pretty cool to know that our trap game is already out of the way. Hopefully we get the reinforcements and honestly I think we can wear down Ball State pretty quickly so it can happen early. Yes, I should be close to bowl eligibility by Sunday.

The choice: Vanderbilt 45-Ball State 13

The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: All other.