GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Vanderbilt is allowing 3.6 yards per rush, but the Commodores got exposed against Notre Dame, which gained 245 yards on 48 carries (5.1 per carry). South Carolina RB Rico Dowdle (123 yards) and Ty’Son Williams (108) have led the Gamecocks to 5.5 yards per carry. Carolina averages 314.6 pounds along its starting offensive line, and Vanderbilt’s defensive line, which averages 282.3 pounds, got pushed around a bit by a big Irish line.
DL Dare Odeyingbo has graded out as VU’s best run defender among linemen so far. Carolina may try to attack Vanderbilt over the middle, as center Donnell Staley and guard Zack Bailey have traded out well in the run game, according to Pro Football Focus. Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason hinted at what lies ahead. “This is going to be a street fight because it’s an SEC game, and I don’t see an SEC game not being physical,” he said.
DRAFT SLANT
–TE Jared Pinkney’s draft stock is soaring, one reason NFL scouts flocked to VU’s Tuesday practice. Coming off a five-catch, 111-yard, one-touchdown performance at Notre Dame, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound junior ranks sixth in the Southeastern Conference in receiving yard per game (80.3), 13th in catches per game (4.0) and ninth in yards per catch (20.1).
ROSTER REPORT:
–OG Saige Young had 39 snaps against Notre Dame at left guard, according to Pro Football Focus. Young started the last eight games at that spot last season but missed the first two games this year with an injury. Young entered the game in the first half and split with Cole Clemens from there.
–SS Zaire Jones made his first appearance after being suspended the first two games for an off-field incident. Jones, the team’s presumed starter at the position following fall camp, did not start against Notre Dame, but his four total tackles ranked fourth on the team. He had a half-tackle for loss and was credited with a pass break-up on what should have been an easy interception.
–ILB Colin Anderson didn’t play for the second-straight week with what’s thought to be an ankle injury. Anderson, a redshirt freshman, started the opener vs. MTSU.
–ILB Dimitri Moore got his first career start against Notre Dame, and tied for second on the team with eight tackles. He added a half-tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry. Moore is listed ahead of ILB Colin Anderson on the depth chart for the South Carolina game.