Vanderbilt hosts Ball State at home and looks to assert itself as a top-25 team

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ball State (2-4) at Vanderbilt (4-2), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+, SEC Network+)

BetMGM college football odds: Vanderbilt at 26 1/2.

Series record: First meeting.

What is at stake?

Vanderbilt has won two straight games in the Southeastern Conference, extending its historic upset over then-No. 1 Alabama. They didn't fall short in either win. It's the first time they've done that in back-to-back SEC games since 1960. Vanderbilt sits just outside the AP Top 25 rankings with the Commodores' best start since the start of the 2008 season at 5-1. Another win could move the Commodores up in the rankings before hosting top-ranked Texas. Ball State just snapped a four-game skid with one win.

Key match

Vanderbilt's offense against Ball State's defense. The Commodores have rattled off consecutive SEC victories with the offense keeping up the attacks and avoiding just one three-point possession. This is the first time the Commodores have done this in consecutive SEC games since at least 2002. Ball State had seven sacks last week and held Kent State to 67 yards rushing.

Players to watch

Ball Status: TE Tanner Koziol ranks seventh nationally with an average of 7.7 receptions per game. He had eight in the win at Kent State and ranks second among tight ends in catches per game. Koziol ranks third in this group with an average of 72.3 yards per game.

Vanderbilt: QB Diego Pavia. The New Mexico State graduate will play after suffering a knee injury in the 20-13 win at Kentucky. Pavia was 15 of 18 passing at Kentucky and has had four straight games with multiple touchdown passes.

Facts & Figures

Vanderbilt ranks 10th nationally and second in the SEC in shooting 51.3% on third downs. … The Commodores are tied for first among Power 4 programs with one interception thrown this season. … Vanderbilt is tied with Missouri for the best offense in the red zone and scoring touchdowns on 96% of occasions within the opponent's 20-point mark. That's ninth nationally in the FBS. … Vanderbilt is third in the SEC and 14th nationally with an average time of possession of 32 minutes, 44 seconds per game. … The Commodores are 11-1 all-time against MAC teams. … Vanderbilt has an interception in 10 of its last 12 games dating back to last season. De'Rickey Wright picked up his sixth career interception in the Kentucky win. … Brandon Berger had three sacks for Ball State last week, a career-best. … Ball State's Malcolm Gillie is second nationally in kickoff returns averaging 33 1/2 yards.

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