Saturday Predictions: Austin Peay – Anchor Of Gold

What says our writing staff?
Vanderbilt opens its 2026 football season at 6 PM on Saturday, playing Austin Peay for the first time since 2015.
What do the Commodores have for an encore after last season’s 10-3 record? Diego Pavia is gone, Jared Curtis is in, but Clark Lea threw everyone a curveball by naming veteran Blaze Berlowitz the starter for Saturday’s game. Though maybe not much beyond that, and we’re definitely going to see Curtis on Saturday. That would be true even if Lea hadn’t publicly said that Curtis is going to play; Austin Peay is a good FCS team, but they’re still an FCS team, and you expect the backups to get on the field.
What do the Anchor of Gold writers think will happen on Saturday night?
I predict if we don’t win by at least 4 TDs, this is going to be a rough year. Come on. It’s Austin Peay.
The Pick: Vanderbilt 48 – Let’s Go Peay 10.
The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: Clemson’s beating The Gumbo Bengals or the entire concept of Karma is over.
Even with the QB battle continuing into and through this game, I think both QBs will dice up Austin Peay. The Governors are going to be much better than squad that Vanderbilt beat 47-7 in 2015, but the Commodores are expected to be stronger than the team that got beat 59-0 against Alabama. The score line will probably look similar, potentially due to the QB battle meaning the coaching staff will want to give each QB plenty of chances to prove their abilities.
As I have gone through the position previews, the repeated feeling I got was that Vanderbilt’s starters at almost every position should be comparable to last year, with the exception of QB and TE. Behind them, it is more uncertain but also crowded. Players will want to make a mark to move up in the pecking order.
One “key” to why it could get really lopsided is the explosiveness of Jamezell Lassiter (3rd on depth chart) and Evan Hampton (unlisted) at RB. Just trying to grind the game out could end in some big runs. Especially with some OL position battles seemingly ongoing.
The Pick: Vanderbilt 52, Austin Peay 10
The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: Clemson over LSU. This is going to be really right or really wrong. LSU is either going to struggle through the turmoil and roster uncertainty, or it will be a rallying cry that makes them a juggernaut. Clemson was only 7-5 in 2025. I think Dabo is totally lost in the current model of college football. Still, maybe all the media attention on LSU’s desperation to have professional players eligible rallies Clemson. Imagine making Dabo not the villain…
You know… I’m not going to spend too much time thinking about this. Vanderbilt should beat Austin Peay and it should do so easily.
I’m mostly watching this to see what the quarterback situation really looks like. Allegedly, Blaze Berlowitz makes a lot fewer mistakes in practice than Jared Curtis, hence why he gets picked to start in spite of the talent… but we’re going to see Curtis. Oh, and I’ve probably never been so pumped about a Vanderbilt freshman since maybe Darius Garland? Yeah, let’s have fun. And expect to win.
The Pick: Vanderbilt 45, Austin Peay 14
The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: It won’t be until Sunday night, and yet, I cannot help but think Louisville (+6.5) is going to beat Ole Miss down the street at Nissan Stadium.
The real winner? Us, for getting football back, and, unlike some Before Diego (BD, not to be confused with BhangraDores) seasons, this time we have a quarterback competition going because both dudes are good. The real loser? Still Austin Peay.
The Pick: Vanderbilt 52 – Austin Peay 3
The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: Obviously I hope Clemson curbstomps LSU as punishment for their bayou shenanigans, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some other big upset came through this week, and for some reason I don’t like Clanga’s chances…….
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Peay Football: Play Good!
Vanderbilt’s safeties can blow up running plays or play centerfield and pick off passes, which is exactly what you want.
Vanderbilt’s linebacking corps should have another strong year even with a captain from a year ago gone.
Finding a way to get more pressuring on opposing QBs is a focus for this group.
Vanderbilt’s 2026 defense should have a strong presence inside as long as the injury bug stays away.
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