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To prepare for MSU’s battle with the Vanderbilt Commodores, The Dispatch went behind enemy lines with Joey Dwyer, who covers Vanderbilt football for VandyonSI.
Here’s what we learned in our conversation.
A lack of identity
Dwyer said head coach Clark Lea built Vanderbilt’s culture as a run-heavy, possession-controlling team that doesn’t make mistakes. He said this year’s squad is the “antithesis” of that.
“They really have no running game. They really have had some huge penalties defensively. Clark Lea has expressed frustration with the play calling. He’s expressed frustration with how they can’t seem to get up off the mat after they give up an explosive play for the first time,” Dwyer said. “It all boils down to they tried to build a program with a certain identity following the (Diego) Pavia years, and that identity has not manifested.”
The Commodores are 3-5 overall and 0-5 in Southeastern Conference play following a 10-3 season, one of the best years in program history. The Commodores have the second-worst scoring offense in SEC play, averaging 16.8 points per game.
Even in a down year, the Commodores are starting one of the Class of 2025’s top quarterbacks, Jared Curtis. Curtis, a Nashville native, chose Vandy over SEC powers Georgia and Alabama. He has thrown eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in his freshman season.
Dwyer said Curtis’ play has been a bit of a mixed bag.
“There’s certain stretches where he looks like he’s going to be a top-10 pick in the NFL draft as soon as he leaves college, and then there’s other times where he looks like he is completely incapable of winning an SEC game as a starting quarterback,” Dwyer said.
Curtis said the game is starting to slow down for him, something Dwyer believes, but Dwyer said Curtis’ game still “reeks of a freshman.” He added that Vanderbilt hasn’t supported Curtis with a run game, a strong second target or a solid offensive line.
The Commodores have the second-worst rushing offense in the SEC, averaging 106 yards per game. Junior Sherrill, Vandy’s top receiver with 706 yards, is the only Commodore receiver with more than 230 yards.
Defensive struggles surprising
Dwyer thinks Vanderbilt’s defense is the most talented it’s been in Lea’s tenure.
“They have as much talent and as many players as they’ve had in Clark’s tenure,” Dwyer said. “They haven’t played like it.”
Vanderbilt hosts the conference’s worst scoring defense, allowing 30.25 points per game. Dwyer said a lot of Vandy’s issues start up front.
“They kind of get pushed around on the defensive line, and I think that limits a linebacker room that is really gifted,” Dwyer said.
Dwyer said cornerbacks are a problem for Vanderbilt’s defense. The Commodores’ pass defense is allowing 217 passing yards per game, good for eighth in the SEC.
“I think they thought they’d be a lot stronger on defense than they are now, and maybe the biggest thing is they’re just not resilient enough,” Dwyer said “I think that might be the thing Clark Lea’s most disappointed with.”
Dwyer’s prediction
With Alabama, Florida and Tennessee still on the schedule, Dwyer said this is Vanderbilt’s best chance to get a win this season.
He thinks MSU has the more talented roster, but said Vandy has a path to a win in Starkville. He said he isn’t convinced Vandy “knows how to pull a game together,” but he is still picking the Commodores in an upset.
Vanderbilt 24, MSU 17
Jake is the Mississippi State athletics reporter for The Dispatch.
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