Week 1: Vanderbilt vs Elon 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds
Elon Phoenix (0-0) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (1-0)
September 3, 2022 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Vanderbilt Commodores -19 / Elon Phoenix +19 ; Over/Under:
(Get latest betting odds)
The Vanderbilt Commodores and Elon Phoenix do battle Saturday in week 1 college football action from Vanderbilt Stadium. Elon managed to go 6-5 overall last year, with a 5-3 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association standings. As for the Commodores, they played Hawaii in their first game this year. In that matchup, Vanderbilt took a blowout win. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
Elon put up a 6-5 overall record in 2021, with a decent 5-3 finish in the CAA games. That result left the Phoenix in third place in the standings, right behind James Madison and Villanova at 7-1.
The Phoenix missed out on a bowl game but the team also had a couple of solid wins. Elon started out a shaky 1-3 but would eventually topple Richmond and Rhode Island along the way to a 5-2 finish. The losses came to Wofford, App State, William & Mary, James Madison and Villanova.
Over on the Vanderbilt side, 2021 was a forgettable year to say the least. Vanderbilt went just 2-10 overall and 0-8 in SEC play, obviously finishing dead last in the East Division—two games behind Florida at 2-6.
In Saturday’s matchup versus Hawaii, the Commodores scored a whopping 35 points in the third quarter alone during a 63-10 blowout victory. Mike Wright threw for 146 yards and two scores, while also leading the rush with 163 yards and two more touchdowns.
PICK: I’m probably sticking with Elon but staying away. I could probably go either way on this one though—at least until we see more of the on-field products from both sides. Elon will have to deal with the losses of QB Davis Cheek and RB Jaylan Thomas this year, but they’re getting three of their top five receivers back. The defense also returns nine starters—that unit will have some tweaking to do after giving up 26.1 PPG last year.
As for Vanderbilt, their game plan is to run the ball and play solid defense this year. The Commodores should be looking better in 2022, but it’s going to be a lengthy climb in the SEC. That said, the Commodores’ blowout win over Hawaii in the opener is a very encouraging sign.
