Nov 213 min read

LSU, Vanderbilt Try to Salvage Seasons in Death Valley

Two SEC programs heading in the wrong direction meet as Vanderbilt (6-4, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) visits LSU (6-4, 3-3) at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. on Nov. 23.

Both teams had promising starts to the season but suffered ugly losses the last time they took the field. Vanderbilt has lost two of its last three SEC games, while LSU is looking to snap a three-game losing skid.

Key Players: LSU

Offense:

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier

Nussmeier has thrown for 3,126 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions during his first full season as the Tigers' starting QB. He's had some great games this season, but turnovers have hindered recent performances. He has thrown 5 INTs during the losing streak.

Running Backs Caden Durham, Josh Williams

LSU has 12 rushing TDs on the year, with three coming from Nussmeier. Durham leads LSU in rushing as a freshman with 551 yards and 6 TDs on the ground, while Williams has 319 yards and 3 TDs. Both backs have struggled in the last three games. The Tigers will need to re-establish a respectable running game to get back on track offensively.

Wide Receivers Kyren Lacy, Aaron Anderson

Lacy ranks among the top 10 SEC receivers this season with 49 catches for 740 yards and 7 TDs. He has three 100-yard games this season and has already tied his career-best in TD catches with two games left. Anderson also has more than 40 catches and over 700 yards with 5 TDs, giving LSU two dynamic threats at wide receiver.

Tight End Mason Taylor

As if the two receivers weren't enough for opposing defenses to worry about, Taylor adds another dimension as one of the nation's elite tight ends. He has NFL bloodlines and is one of four LSU players with at least 35 catches on the season.

Defense:

Linebacker Whit Weeks

Weeks leads LSU with 95 tackles and is third in the SEC with 9.5 tackles per game. He had an off game with just three tackles against Florida on Nov. 16, but his best games this year have come when LSU needed him most.

Defensive End Bradyn Swinson

Swinson leads LSU with eight sacks and has the most tackles of any LSU defensive lineman this season. He also has two forced fumbles and will be a vital component of getting Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia uncomfortable.

Safety Major Burns

Burns has the most tackles among LSU defensive backs with 46 to go along with 1.5 sacks and 2 passes defended. While he does not have an INT, he is still a productive player and a difference-maker on the back end of the defense.

Key Players: Vanderbilt

Offense:

Quarterback Diego Pavia

Pavia drew plenty of praise early in the season, especially after the Commodores knocked off then-No. 1 Alabama. The New Mexico State transfer threw for 252 yards and 2 TDs with only 4 incompletions in that game. He is a dual-threat quarterback. While he hasn't gotten as much attention lately and does not put up gaudy numbers in the passing game, he is incredibly efficient. Pavia has 15 TD passes and only 3 INTs this season. He also leads the team in rushing yards.

Running Back Sedrick Alexander

Alexander is Vanderbilt's top running back with 470 yards and 5 TDs on the ground this season. He was a member of the SEC All-Freshman team last season and has already topped his numbers from 12 appearances during that campaign.

Tight End Eli Stowers

The former QB has had a breakout season in Vanderbilt's passing game. He leads the team with 557 yards and 4 TDs and had a fantastic 113-yard performance against Alabama on Oct. 5

Defense:

Linebacker Bryan Longwell

Longwell has been Vanderbilt's top tackler all season long with 63. He has shown up in critical moments and performed his best in games against the top teams. Longwell had at least 8 tackles against Alabama, Texas and Missouri.

Safety CJ Taylor

Taylor leads the Vanderbilt secondary with 46 tackles and has 2 passes defended and an INT in 2024. He is on pace for his third straight season with at least 50 tackles and will face a huge challenge against the LSU passing game.

EDGE Miles Capers

Capers is one of the other key players in slowing down LSU's passing attack. Vanderbilt has a couple of other players who can pressure the QB. A consistent game from Capers that has him in Nussmeier's face would be huge for the Commodores.