LSU at Vanderbilt - 2025 Matchup Preview
LSU logo LSU Tigers at Vanderbilt CommodoresVanderbilt logo
Saturday, October 18th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Vanderbilt Stadium - Nashville, TN  (SEC)

 
Tigers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Brian Kelly (28 - 11)
Avg Score : 31 - 24 (27 - 27 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9.1 - 2.9 (#15)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 6) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)
VAN coming off BYE
Our Line: LSU -18   (SP+ LSU -20.5)
Projected Score: LSU: 36 - VAN: 18 (53)
LSU Win prob: 91% | Cover: 49%
LSU Travel: 470 miles
Commodores (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Clark Lea (16 - 33)
Avg Score : 27 - 23 (30 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5.3 - 6.7 (#87)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 5) (Good: 2) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
 
LSU's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 LSU at Clemson+3.056.5
Sat 9/6 LSU vs Louisiana Tech-44.5
Sat 9/13 LSU vs Florida-8.5
Sat 9/20 LSU vs SE Louisiana-49.5
Sat 9/27 LSU at Ole Miss-5.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 LSU vs South Carolina-12.5
Sat 10/18 LSU at Vanderbilt-18
Sat 10/25 LSU vs Texas A&M-6.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 LSU at Alabama+6.5
Sat 11/15 LSU vs Arkansas-19
Sat 11/22 LSU vs Western Kentucky-40
Sat 11/29 LSU at Oklahoma-4.5

Total: Elite: 6, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 6, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for LSU's Schedule
Vanderbilt's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Vanderbilt vs Charleston Southern-29
Sat 9/6 Vanderbilt at Virginia Tech+2.5
Sat 9/13 Vanderbilt at South Carolina+13
Sat 9/20 Vanderbilt vs Georgia State-24.5
Sat 9/27 Vanderbilt vs Utah State-23.5
Sat 10/4 Vanderbilt at Alabama+27
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Vanderbilt vs LSU+18
Sat 10/25 Vanderbilt vs Missouri+5
Sat 11/1 Vanderbilt at Texas+25.5
Sat 11/8 Vanderbilt vs Auburn+9
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Vanderbilt vs Kentucky-3
Sat 11/29 Vanderbilt at Tennessee+14.5

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Vanderbilt's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
LSU#30 (.25)45% (38)30.542% (89)2.92 (90)10847% (24)2913.99 (60)#92 (.21)41% (60)24.341% (54)41% (73)3.44 (30)45.71.21
VAN#76 (.17)42% (75)27.342% (93)2.8 (105)12943% (53)1664.25 (34)#111 (.25)47% (121)23.446% (96)48% (125)4.22 (109)48.30.51.1
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
LSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
VAN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
LSU Offense1330.527.344.9%3.991.2223991082914.139%61%42%47%13%.25
VAN Defense1323.423.946.9%4.221.1 - - - - - 49%51%46%48%16%.25
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
LSU Defense1324.32741.1%3.441 - - - - - 51%49%41%41%18%.21
VAN Offense1327.329.642.2%4.250.5172951291663.958%42%42%43%15%.17

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
LSU1329:4722.150%50%5.845.71.215.12.5127.9
Vanderbilt1328:3916.644%54%548.30.51.14.81.7431.3
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
LSU Offense1339% (128)42% (89)26.4108.24.114 (98).12 (79)2.92 (90)82% (13)6% (5)0.89 (103)
VAN Defense1349% (47)46% (96) - - - - .12 (70)2.98 (62)77% (88)10% (76)0.89 (30)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
LSU Defense1351% (67)41% (54) - - - - .18 (97)2.94 (55)84% (125)12% (29)1.23 (132)
VAN Offense1358% (18)42% (93)33.1129.23.916 (90).06 (104)2.8 (105)83% (10)8% (41)0.87 (116)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
LSU Offense1361% (7)47% (24)24.538.4290.87.611.926 (26)11 (72).33 (37)1.5 (96)33% (89)37% (16).42 (28)7% (97)2 (84)
VAN Defense1351% (90)48% (125) - - - - - - 9 (76).37 (120)1.5 (33)29% (111)36% (122).45 (117)7% (48)2.1 (72)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
LSU Defense1349% (69)41% (73) - - - - - - 5 (117).25 (75)1.6 (68)35% (28)31% (76).36 (93)7% (41)2.2 (104)
VAN Offense1342% (115)43% (53)12.821.8166.37.61318 (68)4 (1).33 (33)1.7 (37)33% (108)31% (74).32 (75)7% (96)2.1 (64)

LSU's Power Ratings
LSU's Power Rating: 29.65 #5
LSU's Offense Rating: 30.76 #3
LSU's Defense Rating: 1.11 #12
2025 Talent Rating: 1076.00 #7
Blue Chip Ratio: 63% #3
LSU's 2025 Expected Record: 9.1 - 2.9
LSU's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 22.1 #9
LSU's Offense SP+ Rating: 40.7 #2
LSU's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.6 #23

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 954.75
Average Power Five Talent: 860.18
Average FBS Talent: 682.74

Power Ratings Matchup
LSU: 29.65   Vanderbilt: 7.845

SP+ Ratings Matchup
LSU: 22.1   Vanderbilt: 1.7




Vanderbilt's Power Ratings
Vanderbilt's Power Rating: 7.845 #40
Vanderbilt's Offense Rating: 20.94 #30
Vanderbilt's Defense Rating: 11.95 #53
2025 Talent Rating: 768.00 #54
Blue Chip Ratio: 6 #47
Vanderbilt's 2025 Expected Record: 5.3 - 6.7
Vanderbilt's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.7 #55
Vanderbilt's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.3 #63
Vanderbilt's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.7 #50

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 954.75
Average Power Five Talent: 860.18
Average FBS Talent: 682.74


LSU Scoring
Offense: 30.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 27.3
Defense: 24.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 27

LSU's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
LSU 36
Vanderbilt 18

Projected Total Points: 53
Vanderbilt Scoring
Offense: 27.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 29.6
Defense: 23.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 23.9

Vanderbilt's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/23LSU24Vanderbilt17LSULSU -10Vanderbilt53.0Under
202010/03Vanderbilt7LSU41LSULSU -21LSU49.5Under
201909/21Vanderbilt38LSU66LSULSU -24LSU62.5Over
201009/11Vanderbilt3LSU27LSU
200909/12LSU23Vanderbilt9LSU
200510/08Vanderbilt6LSU34LSU
200410/30LSU24Vanderbilt7LSU
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Vanderbilt011 Overs
LSU722 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams3 - 40 - 30 - 10 - 2
Road Teams4 - 33 - 02 - 01 - 0

(#5) LSU Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 29.65 #5
Offense Rating: 30.76 #3
Defense Rating: 1.11 #12
Overall SP+ Rating: 22.1 #9
Offense SP+ Rating: 40.7 #2
Defense SP+ Rating: 18.6 #23
Talent Rating: 1076.00 #7
Blue Chip Ratio: 63% #3
Expected Record: 9.1 - 2.9

Team Profile
Very Pass heavy Offense 61%, Run: 39%
Good Offense Success Rate of 45%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Avg in Scoring Position 3.99 PPO
Poor Run Success 42%
Good Pass Success 47%
Avg OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Avg Defense Success Rate of 41%
Good in Scoring Position 3.44 PPO
Avg Run Def Success 41%
Bad Pass Def Success 41%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


LSU Notes
(6/7) Big yr for staff. Clemson/UF early set the tone
(6/7) LB Whit Weeks a top LB via PFF, LB Unit good
(5/23) Safeties Cooley & Haulcy a top duo in CFB
(5/16) DE portals Pyburn (UF) & Payton (FSU) huge
(3/22) Top portal class, 10 P4 starters from LY
(3/20) TE's are massive. Sharp (OU) v athletic.
(3/18) QB Nussmeier could be special, good depth
(3/18) RB Durham good Fr yr, talented depth
(3/18) WRs deep/talented. A top unit in CFB TY.
(3/18) OL replacing both T's, must improve from LY
LSU     Ratings Matchup     Vanderbilt
Power #5
#40
Off #3
#30
Def #12
#53
Talent #7
#54
SP+ #9
#55
SP+ Off #2
#63
SP+ Def #23
#50

Previous Matchups
LSU beat Vanderbilt last year (24-17)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Vanderbilt Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: LSU | VAN
Depth Chart: LSU | VAN
Rosters: LSU | VAN
(#40) Vanderbilt Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 7.845 #40
Offense Rating: 20.94 #30
Defense Rating: 11.95 #53
Overall SP+ Rating: 1.7 #55
Offense SP+ Rating: 27.3 #63
Defense SP+ Rating: 25.7 #50
Talent Rating: 768.00 #54
Blue Chip Ratio: 6 #47
Expected Record: 5.3 - 6.7

Team Profile
Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 42%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 42%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.25 PPO
Poor Run Success 42%
Avg Pass Success 43%
Poor OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 47%
Poor in Scoring Position 4.22 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 46%
Awful Pass Def Success 48%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


Vanderbilt Notes
(5/26) HC Lea's new building plan working
(5/26) Goal is to get back to bowl game TY
(5/15) OL bad LY, 1/5 back. 7 portal adds, 3 starters
(5/15) DL added 6 portals, both lines big focus TY
(5/15) LBs are core of D, exp'd & very productive
(5/15) WR Tre Richardson productive & KR @ Washburn
(5/11) 76% of OL exp comes from portal adds
(4/4) QB Pavia returns. Tough runner, decent passer
(4/4) TE Stowers #1 via PFF, WR returns options
(3/18) RB's bad LY, no portals. Any improvement?


  
LSU's OC Joe Sloan
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Garrett Nussmeier33652464%403929127.7
Michael Van Buren Jr. (Tr)14025655%18861177.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caden Durham13875465.586
Kaleb Jackson4714903.219
Zavion Thomas97608.426
Barion Brown (Tr)135013.823
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Aaron Anderson61875514.376
Barion Brown (Tr)29361312.463
Bauer Sharp (Tr)4232427.743
Caden Durham2826029.371

View LSU's Full Roster
LSU's DC Blake Baker
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Whit Weeks1118344
A.J. Haulcy (Tr)740007
Jack Pyburn (Tr)604100
Mansoor Delane (Tr)541007
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Patrick Payton (Tr)3210440
Whit Weeks1118344
Dominick McKinley73310
Jimari Butler (Tr)227250
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ashton Stamps5000211
Mansoor Delane (Tr)541007
A.J. Haulcy (Tr)740007

Vanderbilt's OC Tim Beck
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Diego Pavia17729859%22932047.7
Eli Stowers1250%17108.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Diego Pavia19380084.136
Sedrick Alexander16458663.631
AJ Newberry4118534.520
Chase Gillespie155103.47
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Eli Stowers49638513.041
Junior Sherrill29411314.243
Sedrick Alexander23238110.338
AJ Newberry7134219.153

View Vanderbilt's Full Roster
Vanderbilt's DC Steve Gregory
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bryan Longwell888224
Langston Patterson785002
C.J. Heard (Tr)741001
Randon Fontenette728307
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nicholas Rinaldi526600
Khordae Sydnor147422
Mason Nelson (Tr)319311
Randon Fontenette728307
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Randon Fontenette728307
Bryan Longwell888224
Martel Hight332014