Photo by Vasha Hunt | For The Corner News

AU #17 Josh Bynes and #99 Tez Doolittle stop UT #3 Lennon Creer during the Auburn-Tennessee game. The defense will lead the win against Vanderbilt this weekend.

It’s getting redundant, but the Auburn Tigers defense wins another game. After a flash on offense, a Chris Todd touchdown pass to Robert Dunn and a Kodi Burns citing in the second quarter, the Tigers defense did what it has the entire season ... shut down the opposing team’s offense. After giving up an early fourth quarter score to Tennessee, the Auburn defense forced four straight three and outs, in spite of the lack of production from their own offense.

If the defense continues to play like it has, expect the Tigers to win another ugly game against the surprise team of the SEC, the Vanderbilt Commodores. Usually Vanderbilt is considered the “push over” of the SEC, but starting the season 4-0 has everyone taking the Commodores more seriously. The Commordores aren’t doing anything special this season, except finding ways to win. Their offense is ranked lower than Auburn’s. Their defense isn’t that great either; it’s giving up about 400 yards and 17 points a game. Which begs the question as to how they’re undefeated? That answer is that they are forcing and capitalizing on opponents mistakes. Vandy is ranked number one in turnover margin in the NCAA.
So how does Auburn go to Vandy and come away with the win? First the offense needs to score more than three points, like it did the last road game. Next they need to protect the ball. If that means they run Ben Tate of left end the entire game to avoid throwing an interception, then so be it. While that may sound simple enough, at times the Auburn offense has had problems with the simplest things.

Expect to see Kodi Burns early, to provide a change of pace for the Tigers offense. Also expect to see a lot more of the I-Formation that has been a mainstay of the Tigers’ offense since before the days of Shug Jordan.

Defensively, look for the Tigers to continue to do what has worked the entire season; stuff the run, pressure the quarterback with the front four, play solid pass defense and get off the field.

This season Auburn’s given up just 11 third down conversions, which doesn’t seem that impressive, until you find out it’s out of 76 third down conversion attempts.

If Auburn’s offense finds a way to score some points, and the defense continues to play lights out, this one won’t be close. But we are talking about the Auburn offense, so expect another ugly game.

Prediction: Auburn 20, Vandy14