The Auburn Tigers and the Vanderbilt Commodores meet Saturday in college football action from Vanderbilt Stadium. Auburn just finished up against Mississippi State over the weekend. In that game the Tigers won by two touchdowns to move to 4-4 overall. As for Vanderbilt, they played Ole Miss in their last game. The Commodores (2-7) would go on to lose in blowout fashion. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Auburn Tigers 

Auburn Started out the year on a 3-0 run, scoring 45 or more points in two of those games. The Tigers faltered in their next four however, falling to some very difficult nationally-ranked opponents along the way. In that first seven the Tigers averaged 26.7 points per game but only mustered 1,057 pass yards with seven pass scores and six interceptions. 

In their matchup versus Mississippi State back on Saturday, Auburn held a commanding 24-3 lead at the break but didn’t do much after halftime in a 27-13 win. QB Payton Thorne led the way with 230 yards and three scores. Jarquez Hunter rushed for 144 yards off 17 carries, and Ja’Varrius Johnson put up 59 yards and a TD from two catches. 

Auburn Tigers Team Facts

• Auburn has lost each of its last eight road games against conference opponents.
• Auburn has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four road games.
• Auburn has lost the first half in each of its last six road games against conference opponents.
• Seven of Auburn’s last eight road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Vanderbilt Commodores 

Over on the Vanderbilt side, they similarly had some early-season success with wins in their first pair. The Commodores would lose each of the next six games, but still maintained a 28.0-PPG average. Vanderbilt had the passing game working statistically during that stretch with an average of 265.8 yards per game, however the rush (83.3 yards per game) didn’t stand much of a chance playing from behind so often. 

Back on Saturday versus Ole Miss, Vanderbilt faced a 26-0 deficit by halftime. The Commodores put up a third-quarter TD and ended up losing 33-7. Walter Taylor threw for 38 yards and one interception in the defeat, and also led the rush with 59 yards and a score. Junior Sherrill was tops in receiving with 28 yards off two catches. 

Vanderbilt Commodores Team Facts

• Vanderbilt has lost 32 of its last 34 games against conference opponents.
• Vanderbilt has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Vanderbilt has lost the first half in each of its last six games against conference opponents.
• Each of Vanderbilt’s last six games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m probably going to stay with Auburn. The Tigers looked solid defensively versus Mississippi State over the weekend, giving up 345 total yards (161 passing), 19 first downs and a key 2-of-12 rate on third-down tries. Even though the offense fell off after halftime Auburn managed to break their four-game losing streak and scored more than 21 points for the first time since September 16. 

As for Vanderbilt, they couldn’t find much room versus a tough Ole Miss team, bagging just 229 total yards (60 passing) and 13 first downs. The Commodores have been at 21 or fewer points in each of the last four games, but to be fair three of those came against tough ranked teams. Auburn is going to have to keep it up on defense as well as find some rhythm offensively in order to cover, here but I think the Tigers are up for it.