Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s showdown between Charleston Southern and Vanderbilt.

When: Saturday
Where: Nashville, Tenn.
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN3
Current Line: Vanderbilt (-14.5)

Game Buzz: The Vanderbilt Commodores (1-5) will host Charleston Southern (5-0) in Nashville this weekend. The Commodores look to snap a three-game losing streak. This marks the first non-FCS meeting for the Buccaneers this season.

SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS

VANDERBILT COMMODORES

Players to watch:

  • QB Wade Freebeck
  • RB Ralph Webb
  • WR Steven Scheu
  • LB Nigel Bowden
  • KR Darrius Sims

Keys for Vanderbilt: 

  • Vanderbilt must continue to feed Ralph Webb the football- Webb is the most consistent player on the Commodores offense and should continue his role as the team’s feature back. The redshirt freshman leads with 499 rushing yards and a touchdown on 107 attempts. The Commodores struggling offense must center around Webb and set the tone early with a strong rushing attack.
  • Nigel Bowden must counter triple option- Nigel Bowden is having a stellar season. The redshirt freshman leads Vanderbilt with 44 total tackles from the middle linebacker position. Bowden is coming off an eight-tackle performance in the Commodores 44-17 loss to Georgia and is gaining attention in his first season of action.
  • Wade Freebeck needs to play an efficient game- Wade Freebeck has struggled this season. The true freshman burned his redshirt after making his Week 3 debut against UMass, only to be benched several times since. Freebeck has 356 yards, a touchdown and five interceptions on 29-of-65 passing this season. He must avoid turnovers facing an FCS defense.

Commodores’ glaring weakness to watch: Turnovers. As mentioned above, Vanderbilt must avoid crucial mistakes to stay in contention. This will be a tough task facing a solid Kentucky team coming off a bye at home.

Most interesting part of the game: Can Vanderbilt close out a game against an FCS opponent.

Team Buzz: Vanderbilt ranks last in the SEC. The pessimism in Nashville reached an all-time high after a fan bought the domain www.firederekmason.com in Week 2. The Commodores are in desperate need of a win against and their matchup this week should help.

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN BUCCANEERS

Players to watch:

  • QB Austin Brown
  • RB Christian Reyes
  • LB Aaron Brown
  • DB Troy McGowens
  • KR Darius Hammond

Keys for Charleston Southern:

  • Exploit Vanderbilt’s defense with triple option- Though Charleston Southern is a double-digit underdog, anything can happen with Vanderbilt. The Buccaneers’ triple option could take Vanderbilt off guard and provide a threat against an SEC opponent.
  • Force Turnovers- Wade Freebeck has been a turnover machine this season. The true freshman has struggled and is capable of throwing interceptions against a defense entering with an undefeated record.

Buccaneers’ glaring weakness to watch: For the first time in several weeks, Vanderbilt holds a strong advantage. The talent disparity is in Vanderbilt’s favor, despite their struggles against other SEC teams this season.

Most interesting part of the game: Can Charleston Southern provide a threat against an SEC opponent?

Team Buzz: The Buccaneers are undefeated entering Saturday’s game. However, they haven’t played a single FBS team this season. With Vanderbilt struggling, this may be their best chance to pull off a monumental upset.