THE Auburn Tigers entertain the surprising Vanderbilt Commodores this weekend. The nation, fascinated by the courageous Vandy team which lost 40 points to Alabamahave captivated fans from coast to coast.

Auburn, fresh off a solid win over Kentucky, is looking to get closer to somehow righting the ship and charting a positive course.

After heartbreaking losses for most of the season, the Tigers get to work and line up against a Vanderbilt team looking to gain ground for bowl eligibility.

Diego Pavia Nightmare

Last year, while leading New Mexico State, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia embarrassed the Tigers in the Plains. Hugh Freeze doesn’t forget too easily. During media availability, Freeze praised not only Pavie, but also Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea.

“What a competitor he is and what a job Clark Lea and his team did there,” Freeze said of Pavia. “To be in the games and have a chance to win every game they play against the national elite is so impressive. Fourth year (for Clark), I think that speaks for itself, and I know no one likes to hear that. , but good coaches, and there aren’t any bad ones in this league, you have time to really establish your culture and your locker room and people who believe in your system, you should be better when that fourth year comes around .

Pavia brings a mix of scrambling ability and just enough arm talent to keep Auburn honest. Veteran players remember this NMSU game. Pavie handles the ball and Auburn will have to force the ball out of his hands because he probably won’t just throw it to them.

Tricky questions

Even though Payton Thorne is responsible for much of Auburn’s offensive woes, he will still start. Hank Brown will see time if Auburn makes a bowl game or if they play blowout football. Like it or not, and many choose the latter, Hugh Freeze will ride with Thorne the rest of the way.

The team will have to endure turnovers and questionable decisions for the remainder of the season. As a result, the running game and the hope that Thorne can locate wide-open targets, which seems infinitely easier than threading the needle.

Final prediction

Once again, the Tigers are off to a good start. Everything is clicking on both sides of the ball. The defense came in early and Jalen McLeod and Keldric Faulk each had a sack. After forcing another three-and-out, the offense takes the ball, looking to score and put some distance.

Thorne turns the ball over and Vanderbilt begins his march down the field. However, unlike previous weeks, Auburn did not implode. In fact, they put considerable distance between themselves and Vanderbilt. Jarquez Hunter totaled 125 yards from scrimmage while his the assault on the record books continues.

Keandre Lambert-Smith not only improves his draft, but also visibility with at least one touchdown and 80 receptions. Meanwhile, the defense battled Pavie all afternoon, hitting him more than a half-dozen times, avenging the previous year’s loss.

Final score

Auburn: 31
Vanderbilt: 20