Vanderbilt vs Auburn

by Cody Dockens
(Irvington, Alabama)

Nashville, Tennessee, October 4th,

Tommy Tuberville’s 14th ranked (4-1) Auburn Tigers travel to Vanderbilt to take on the (4-0) Commodores in what may be the most anticipated meeting between the two since the 1955 Gator Bowl.

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Auburn who is (2-1) in the S.E.C. has one of the nation’s best defenses, complemented by one of the more sickly offenses. Auburn’s offense was held to just three points against Mississippi State, but where able to make significant adjustments against LSU to score 21 points in a demoralizing 4th quarter loss. Last week Auburn bested Tennessee in a battle of the defenses, 14-12, and was once again plagued with offensive anemia.

Vanderbilt comes into this game poised for their best start since 1943, sixty-five years ago. Vanderbilt has become the proverbial Giant slayer of the SEC under Coach Bobby Johnson, defeating Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in 2005 for the first time since 1975, then defeating Georgia at Sanford Stadium in 2006, and number 24 South Carolina earlier this season.

For Auburn this game is an opportunity to show you don’t need a high power offense to be successful, and that in the SEC defense reigns supreme.

For Vandy, this is a chance, to make a statement, not just to their heavily favored opponents, or to the SEC, but to the nation.

No matter the outcome of this weekend’s game both teams have shown that they have the ability to control their own destiny, and will doubtlessly provide us with much excitement throughout the rest of the season.