The Vanderbilt Commodores have three stops left on their 2024 path of destruction through the Southeastern Conference, with the first of those three coming at home to the South Carolina Gamecocks.

In what has been the best start to a season for the Commodores since 1982, the team has shown excellent performances on both sides of the ball, with Diego Pavia leading the attack and the defense working hard in the trenches forcing a plethora of attacks . turnover.

However, the next three games on the schedule could be some of the toughest tests Vandy has faced so far this year, but they have proven time and time again that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

In a recent article for CBS Sports, Brandon Marcello made his picks for some of the biggest games happening in the SEC this weekend, including the Gamecocks at Vanderbilt.

Both teams have shown a penchant for victory and overcoming all odds, with South Carolina upsetting the Texas A&M Aggies last weekend, and Marcello’s pick for who will win the game this Saturday landed on the Gamecocks, although there is a reservation included.

“The deciding factor will be turnovers,” writes Marcello, “quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who combined for 350 yards last week, has committed six turnovers in three losses and just three in five wins. If Vanderbilt forces two or more turnovers, the Commodores. This is a tough choice.”

While it’s certainly a tough game to pick a winner, the Commodores’ defense has forced eight interceptions so far this year, an average of 0.89 per game, while also forcing three fumbles out of four recovered interceptions.

Another question from Marcello for this game was, “Can Vanderbilt slow down South Carolina’s powerful ground game?”

South Carolina has averaged 176.5 yards rushing this year, including three separate occasions when 200 or more yards were run in a single game.

While that is very impressive, the calling card of the Vanderbilt defense has been their ability to stifle the run game, as they have allowed just 111.8 yards per game on the ground this year while only allowing 200 or more in a single game have allowed once, and five of their nine opponents have come within 100 yards.

Saturday’s game certainly looks like one of the better games of the weekend on paper, and we only have to wait two more days to see how it all plays out.