No. 20 LSU (0-1) at Vanderbilt (0-1), Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network).
Line: LSU by 21.
Series record: LSU leads 23-7-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
LSU needs a victory badly after the defending national champ lost its home opener. Vanderbilt missed a chance at a big upset on the road at Texas A&M, but the Commodores returned with a strong confidence boost after debuting a freshman quarterback in his first start along with a pair of new coordinators.
KEY MATCHUP
New coordinator Ted Roof’s aggressive Vanderbilt defense against an LSU offensive line adjusting to four new starters. LSU QB Myles Brennan was sacked seven times last week by Mississippi State, and the Commodores recovered three fumbles in their opener.
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PLAYERS TO WATCH
LSU: WR Terrace Marshall Jr. The 6-foot-3 target caught eight passes for 122 yards last week, including touchdowns of 37 and 33 yards.
Vanderbilt: QB Ken Seals. The freshman now gets to throw against a LSU defensive backfield that allowed Mississippi State QB K.J. Costello to pass for an SEC record 623 yards last week. Seals threw for 150 yards in his collegiate debut.
FACTS & FIGURES
LSU has won eight straight in the series and beat Vanderbilt 66-38 last season in Nashville. ... LSU is playing in Nashville in back-to-back seasons for only the second time ever and first since 1935-36. ... LSU held Mississippi State to just nine yards rushing in the opener. ... Vanderbilt was the last team to score on its opening possession against LSU. ... Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason is looking for his first win in an SEC home opener in his seventh season. ... Vanderbilt allowed 17 points to Texas A&M, the fewest points allowed by the Commodores to a top 10 team since holding then-No. 9 South Carolina to 17 points on Aug. 30, 2012.
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