After back-to-back SEC victories, Vanderbilt is playing a game that likely won’t be played again once Super League folds and the MAC kicks the bucket because the Big Ten and Greg Sankey hate the sport, which Ball State hosts.

This should probably be an easy win, but that makes too much sense. Let’s see how scared the writers are when they play Ball State and need two more wins to become bowl eligible.

Tom Stephenson

While I’m tempted to say that Vanderbilt will win by a wide margin because Ball State is one of the worst teams in the FBS, I said that about Georgia State too and we all know how that turned out.

But even with Diego Pavia in a bit of disarray, and this game being in the middle of the SEC schedule, with Texas coming to town next weekend, I expect we’ll see a lot of the second series, and Vanderbilt will get comfortable enough to call off the dogs quite early. As such, the back door will be open and Ball State will walk right through it.

The choice: Vanderbilt 42, Ballstaat 21

The SEC upset pick of the week: Huh… I’ll take Auburn (+4) over MISSOURAH (striker.) I don’t have any specific reason to pick this one other than I’m not very impressed with Missourah.

Andreas VU ’04

Just as we now know we can take down Goliaths, we still need to be wary of all the Davids and their various slings. And not just because some of them will sleep with our women and have us killed. Not to mention all the cock tips he cut off for his dowry. Side note: Why the hell did Eliam want all those dick tips??? What did he use them for?!?! Why doesn’t my pastor call me back about this subject?!?!

What was I talking about again? Oh yeah, Ball State, and why we shouldn’t take them lightly, even though they’re 2-4 and lost 63-7 to James Madison a few weeks ago.

Yeah, so… um… we shouldn’t take it lightly. That said, I’m really looking forward to seeing Nasty Nate run the offense once this game gets out of hand.

The choice: Vanderbilt 48 – Fighting David Lettermans 17.

The SEC upset pick of the week: I actually like a lot of setbacks this weekend. Give me The South Cackalacky Game penises (+3) about Boomer Sooner, The Mashburn wedding sweaters (+2.5) about the Jorts, and Woo Pig Arky (+3) about the Gumbo Bengals. Of those three, the Okie tears will be particularly hilarious.

Patrick Sawyer

Pavia will probably play a half or less, but I think Nate Johnson has a point to prove. Beck’s offense isn’t one with a “vanilla” setup either, unless you take out the QB run option like they did against Georgia State. I don’t see that happening again, especially with Johnson in the game. He is essentially untouched during the season.

The offense is probably more boom-bust with him. Johnson doesn’t have the same systems experience as Pavia, so the decisions may not be as consistently perfect. However, his arm is theoretically stronger and his speed is a step or two higher than Pavia’s.

The defense will likely leak some yards and points as the coaches try to apply load management to key contributors.

The lesson of the state of Georgia should have been learned. I think everyone is out to prove how coincidental that was with a dominant home win.

The choice: Vanderbilt 41, Ballstaat 13

The SEC upset pick of the week: Kentucky was an underdog in Vegas to start the week but is now a 1.5-point favorite. I think both the Cats and Cocks (still 1.5 point underdogs) beat Florida and Oklahoma.

Cole Sullivan

It’s pretty cool to know that our trap game is already out of the way. Hopefully we get the backups in, and honestly I think we can wear down Ball State pretty quickly so it can happen early. Yes, by Sunday you should be close to being eligible for bowling.

The choice: Vanderbilt 45 – Balstaat 13

The SEC upset pick of the week: Everything else.