Vanderbilt (5-3, 2-2 SEC) is set to face off against Auburn (3-5, 1-4) on Saturday at 12:45 p.m. ET in an SEC showdown.
BetMGM has made Auburn a 6.5-point favorite for the contest, with the historical series record favoring Auburn at 22 wins, 21 losses, and 1 tie.
The significance of this game cannot be overstated as it features contrasting narratives — Auburn is looking to recover from a disappointing season while Vanderbilt seeks to secure a bowl game eligibility for the first time since 2018.
After breaking a four-game losing streak by defeating Kentucky, the Tigers are eager to continue their momentum and avoid a fourth consecutive losing season. Meanwhile, the Commodores are coming off a close 27-24 defeat to the sixth-ranked Texas after having previously claimed a notable upset against then-No. 1 Alabama.
A crucial element of the game will be the performance of Auburn’s running game against Vanderbilt’s defense.
In their recent victory over Kentucky, Auburn amassed an impressive 326 rushing yards on 50 attempts, with Jarquez Hunter being the standout player.
Vanderbilt has held opponents to an average of 114.8 rushing yards per game, a figure that ranks 28th in the nation, while Auburn’s rushing attack is sitting at 47th with an average of 178.6 yards per game.
Hunter himself has accumulated 863 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season.
Key players to monitor include Hunter from Auburn, who is fresh off a remarkable performance that many in the program desperately needed.
His staggering 278 rushing yards against Kentucky marked the highest single-game total for an FBS player this year and fourth-most in Auburn’s history.
In their previous meeting last year, Hunter achieved a career-high of 183 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Vanderbilt.
On the other side, Vanderbilt’s quarterback Diego Pavia, who transferred from New Mexico State, has displayed exceptional form this season.
Pavia led his previous team to upset Auburn in 2023 and currently boasts a pass efficiency rating of 155.1, ranking third in the SEC.
Additionally, he leads all SEC quarterbacks with 537 rushing yards to date.
Several noteworthy stats also add context to the matchup.
Auburn holds a perfect record in the last nine home contests against Vanderbilt, while the Commodores feature nine players and coaches who were part of the squad that achieved the unexpected victory at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Pavia also recorded three rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns in New Mexico State’s prior victory over Liberty, a team coached by Hugh Freeze, who is now in charge at Auburn.
In terms of defense, the Tigers limited Kentucky to just 70 rushing yards, a feat not accomplished against an SEC opponent since Mississippi State held a rival to a mere 13 yards in 2022.
Rounding out the player highlights, Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers ranks fifth among FBS tight ends with an impressive 496 receiving yards this season.